Category Archives: Italy

Chinato and Quinquina from Italy’s Piedmont, South Africa’s Swartlands, and the Columbia Valley

Posted on October 23, 2021 by don

While technically not a Vermouth, Chinato is similar in its infusion of herbs and spices. What’s different is the addition of Cinchona. Cinchona is the dried bark of the South American tree that is a source of quinine and used … Continue reading →

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Contratto of Alta Langa: An Impressive Showing of Metodo Clasico

Posted on May 10, 2021 by don

Italy makes some of the world’s great sparkling wines.  We’re used to tasting the superb ones coming out of Franciacorta as well as Trento. Now, Piedmont’s Contratto joins this elite group.  Contratto was founded in 1867 by Giuseppe Contratto, making … Continue reading →

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The Sordo Barolos from Eight Different Crus

Posted on April 21, 2021 by don

The Azienda Agricola Giovanni Sordo is a family run vineyard with a century long history in Barolo. With 8 vineyards covering 53 hectares in 5 different municipalities, no other winery in Barolo has access to as many crus as does … Continue reading →

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Authentic Wines from the Indigenous Grapes of Sicily and Southern Italy

Posted on January 21, 2021 by don

Italy has many indigenous red grape varieties used for making wine including several lesser known ones in Sicily, Campania, and Molise reviewed here: Perricone, Corinto Nero, Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio, Tintilia, and Aglianico.  These are wines of character and a … Continue reading →

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Vermouth’s Resurgence as Aperitif: Dry and White Vermouths from Europe and America

Posted on December 7, 2020 by don

Vermouth is enjoying growing popularity, including a number of American producers of attractively packaged, premium bottlings.  As shown in the graph below, sales in the US are on a strong upward trend (a 21% increase in US Vermouth imports in 2018 … Continue reading →

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Cottanera’s New Releases from Sicily’s Mt. Etna

Posted on November 2, 2020 by don

Mt. Etna is one of the world’s most unique wine terroirs, as we discovered on our trip there for our report on The Wines of Sicily.  In this article, we review the current releases of one the most prominent producers, Cottanera. Located … Continue reading →

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Tezza: Current Releases of Amarone and Ripasso from the Valpantena Valley

Posted on October 26, 2020 by don

100% organic certified, the Tezza winery in the Valpantena Valley northeast of Verona is now managed by the third generation of the family.  They undertook a major renovation of their 28 hectares of vineyards in the towns of Poiano, Nesente, and … Continue reading →

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Roero’s Malvirà in Italy’s Piedmont: New Releases of Single Vineyard Arneis and Nebbiolo

Posted on October 5, 2020 by don

Tasting the single vineyard Arneis and Nebbiolo wines from Malvirà brought back pleasant memories of our visit to the winery in Canale while working on our Roero report. That’s when Roberto Damonte presented the wines at the Hotel Villa Tiboldi … Continue reading →

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Barbera d’Asti and Barbera d’Alba: Fresh, Fruity and Outstanding Value

Posted on August 20, 2020 by don

The Barbera grape variety is high yielding, relatively easy to grow, and makes fresh tasting fruity, high acid wines.  Thought to have originated in Italy’s Piedmont region, today it’s grown throughout the world.  However, it’s still mostly grown in Italy where the … Continue reading →

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Fine Wines from Roero in the Piedmont: New Releases from Negro Angelo e Figli

Posted on August 1, 2020 by don

Located in Monteu Roero not far from Canale in the Piedmont hills, Negro Angelo e Figli is one of the oldest winemaking families of the Roero.  The family has cultivated vines since the 17th century and today has vines in Monteu … Continue reading →

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