Monthly Archives: February 2014

Manzoni Vineyards of the Santa Lucia Highlands: New Releases

Posted on February 21, 2014 by mike

The Manzonis have been farmers in the Salinas Valley since their arrival from the Swiss-Ialian Alps in the 1920s.  The family’s current  owner Mark Manzoni (pictured below with his wife Sabrina and consulting winemaker, David Coventry) farms 6 acres of vineyards in the … Continue reading →

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Tenuta di Capezzana is an historic wine estate in the small Carmignano appellation in northern Tuscany.  Owned by the Contini Bonacossi family since the 1920s, it is today the preeminent producer of Carmignano, a wine made of Sangiovese with small … Continue reading →

Posted on February 17, 2014 by don | Comments Off on Tasting the Carmignano Wines of Tenuta di Capezzana with Countess Beatrice Contini Bonacossi

The Verdejo Wines of Rueda

Posted on February 12, 2014 by don

We recently tasted several Verdejo wines from Spain’s Rueda region.  These wines are crisp and fresh with citrus and mineral notes.  They are a pleasant alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and can be paired with food in much the same way.  … Continue reading →

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Rosé Champagne and Sparkling Wine for Valentine’s Day

Posted on February 6, 2014 by don

Valentine’s is the perfect, romantic occasion to crack open an elegant, sparkling rosé.  We reviewed 150 for our recent Report # 40 on Rosé Champagne and Sparkling Wines.  Drawing on those reviews, we present our recommendations for those celebrating Valentine’s … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Champagne, Countries and Regions, France, Sparkling Wine, Uncategorized, Wine Type | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

The Domini Veneti Amarones of Cantina Valpolicella Negrar: Expressions of Terroir

Posted on February 5, 2014 by don

In 1992 the Cantina Valpolicella Negrar–one of five cooperatives in Valpolicella–embarked on a unique project to produce Amarones that would express the distinct terroir of each of the Classico’s five distinct areas (see map)—Sant’Ambrogio, Fumane, San Pietro in Cariano, Marano, … Continue reading →

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