Category Archives: Italy

Arnaldo Caprai: Montefalco’s Champion of Sagrantino

Posted on January 20, 2023 by don

We’ve had the opportunity to taste several vintages of Arnaldo Caprai’s Montefalco wines over the past year in Montefalco, Seattle, and Washington DC. These tastings as well as those of other producers lead us to conclude that this estate, led … Continue reading →

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Current Releases from Montefalco’s Cantina Fratelli Pardi

Posted on January 16, 2023 by don

The Pardi winery was established by three brothers in 1919 on the ground floor of the San Marco Hospital.  Like many Montefalco wineries, they initially specialized in making Sagrantino Passito. Today their great grandsons, the brothers Alberto Mario and Gianluca … Continue reading →

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Zerbina Wines: New Italian Selections

Posted on January 14, 2023 by mike

Zerbina Wines is a Texas-based negociant  of wines  from Italy and other wine producing countries.   Their wines from Italy are sourced from vineyards in the Veneto, Tuscany, and other regions.  The wines reviewed here are produced in collaboration with winemaker … Continue reading →

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Good Value, Quality Sparkling Wines from Alsace to the Russian River Valley

Posted on December 26, 2022 by don

Sparkling wines from around the world are better than ever. They may not have the cachet of Champagne, but they’re priced lower, and the best ones are very good indeed. In this article, we review a selection of quality sparkling … Continue reading →

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Champagnes and Sparkling Wines for the Holidays

Posted on December 13, 2022 by don

Champagnes and sparkling wines are especially popular during the winter Holidays. Families and friends toast their friendship and welcome the New Year with the bubbles that convey a sense of celebration and joy.  To help guide your purchases of Champagne and … Continue reading →

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2021 Italian Rosatos of Sangiovese & Other Varieties

Posted on August 17, 2022 by don

Italian rosatos (rosés) are made throughout Italy from a large number of grape varieties including Nerello Mascalese from Mt Etna, Nero D’Avola from elsewhere in Sicily, Aglianico from Campana, Barbera and Nebbiolo from the Piedmont, Grenache (Gamay di Trasimeno) from … Continue reading →

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Italy’s Rosé from a White Grape: Valentino Butussi’s Pinot Grigio Ramato

Posted on August 15, 2022 by don

The Valentino Butussi vineyard and winery are located in one of the most charming parts of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the small town called Corno di Rosazzo.  Overlooking (see photo) the vineyards of Corno di Rosazzo is the Abbey of Rosazzo, which … Continue reading →

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Italian Wines from the Cellar Paired with Roberto Donna’s Cooking

Posted on June 26, 2022 by don

Roberto Donna, is one of the pioneers of Italian alta cucina in Washington DC, especially at Galileo. [If you are of a certain age, you may have seen the video of him with Julia Child in her program, In Julia’s … Continue reading →

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More Interesting Grapes and Wines from Italy

Posted on March 24, 2022 by don

Italy has a mind-boggling number of indigenous and international grape varieties and wine appellations. In this article, we review some of the more interesting ones recently sent to us for review.  They include well-known indigenous varieties like Grillo and Nero … Continue reading →

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Current Releases from Sicily’s Mt. Etna

Posted on January 7, 2022 by don

Some of Sicily’s most exciting wines are grown on the northern and eastern slopes of Mt. Etna [see map below] where we spent several days for our report on the Wines of Sicily.  Mt. Etna is one of the most … Continue reading →

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