I have always had an aversion to this day because I think women should be celebrated everyday but I know there is a larger meaning to it and that it commemorates a specific event and that women all over the world suffer great injustices and a lack of civil rights, in the most basic rights. ... Continue Reading →
Italian Indigenous Varieties: Nerello Mascalese
I've been dragging my feet to write about Nerello Mascalese in my Italian Indigenous variety series. I don't know why but I think it's because it's such a "fashionable" grape that I am shying away from it. Of course, that's ridiculous. It's fashionable because it's delicious and therefore deserves attention. Years ago no one had... Continue Reading →
OperaWine 2018, 52nd Vinitaly Begins
OperaWine, the Wine Spectator presentation of their selection of the best Italian wines is in its 6th year I believe. I've been to every one of them and now it is the beginning of Vinitaly to me, every year I see producers I know whose wines I love and others that I only read about.... Continue Reading →
Wine Wednesday: Lis Neris Cabernet Sauvignon
This is an old photo of Alvaro and his daughter Federica from Lis Neris at Vinitaly in 2008. The stand looks the same and I like to think we all do too. This year for the first time I had one of Alvaro's wines in Milan at a dinner with friends the night before Vinitaly.... Continue Reading →
Checklist for Vinitaly: Seven Tips For Enjoying The Fair
This photo is one of setting up at Vinitaly, the large Italian wine fair that starts in about eight days. I love Vinitaly. This will be my 10th in a row and I think my 12th show over all. I never get tired of it and it is a highlight in my spring calendar. That... Continue Reading →
La Festa delle Donne – International Women’s Day March 8
I have always had an aversion to this day because I think women should be celebrated everyday but I know there is a larger meaning to it and that it commemorates a specific event and that women all over the world suffer great injustices and a lack of civil rights, in the most basic rights.... Continue Reading →
Lo Triolet’s Pinot Gris From Valle d’Aosta
Lo Triolet is a winery from the Valle d'Aosta that I discovered on my last trip to Vinitaly thanks to some friends from the Italian Sommelier Association. I like tasting with others from this group because their approach is very different from the one used in either the US or the UK. Often, they also... Continue Reading →
Pignoletto DOC, Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG – Emilia Romagna
Every year when I go to Vinitaly in April, I see old clients, always look and meet new clients and often try to attend various conferences and spend time trying wines I know little about. This year in particular it was a very crowded trip, also because it was shorter than usual for me. One... Continue Reading →
Women in Wine Fridays: Silvia Imparato & Montevetrano from Campania
I first heard the name Montevetrano more than 19 years ago from a friend in Milan who knew the family. He had a birthday this week and has been on my mind so I thought I would write about this lovely wine. I met part of the family in 1997 and finally met Silvia Imparato... Continue Reading →
Day 1: Vinitaly – The World We Love
D Day 1 at Vinitaly is off to a great start. Thrilled to be here and to see old friends and taste great wines. Despite the cold and rainy weather, typical at least one day of Vinitaly a year, the weather is turning out to be even better than expected. I started with a tasting... Continue Reading →