Tag Archives: Sangiovese

California’s Castello di Amorosa: Sangiovese and More

Posted on July 7, 2021 by don

Napa Valley tourists may be attracted to the Castello di Amorosa by the faux 13th century Tuscan castle with moat, torture chamber, and several hundred feet of elaborately carved underground wine caves.  A much better reason, in our opinion, is … Continue reading →

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The Chianti Classico Wines of Bibbiano: Giulio Gambelli’s Legacy

Posted on April 5, 2016 by don

Located on a side road near Lilliano in the commune of Castellina in Chianti (see map below), the 220 hectare Tenuta di Bibbiano is one of Chianti Classico’s historical wine properties. In the 1960s it was just one of 36 … Continue reading →

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The Wines of il Molino di Grace

Posted on August 30, 2013 by mike

The Tuscan estate Il Molino di Grace is owned and operated by American Frank Grace with assistance from his son, Tim Grace. Purchased in 1995  this hillside estate consists of 100 acres of vines planted at 1000-1300′ situated just south … Continue reading →

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Great Winemakers: Roberto Cipresso, Master of Brunello

Posted on July 2, 2012 by don

Roberto Cipresso is one of Tuscany’s most illustrious enologists, wine writers and wine educators.  Although he is widely recognized and awarded for his winemaking and writing talents within Italy, he is not well known among wine enthusiasts in the United … Continue reading →

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Chianti Classico Revisited: The Wines of Renzo Marinai

Posted on May 14, 2012 by don

During Vinitaly, we had the opportunity to meet up once again with Renzo Marinai, who with the assistance of winemaker Giovanni Cappelli makes some of Tuscany’s most authentic wines. We last met Renzo during our travels for our Chianti Classico … Continue reading →

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Book Review: Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe

Posted on April 18, 2012 by don

What wonderful timing. The University of California Press sent Kerin O’Keefe’s book on Brunello to review about two weeks before I was to set off to Montalcino. Her book is like others in this series—excellent writing about the region, the … Continue reading →

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Rocca di Montegrossi New Releases

Posted on January 1, 2012 by don

Rocca di Montegrossi is an old estate in the Chianti Classico region. The estate, which is located just south of Gaole in Chianti, consists of 100 hectares of which 20 are planted in vine, 20 in olive groves that surround … Continue reading →

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Tasting Sangiovese in South Africa with Ntsiki Biyela of Stellekaya

Posted on November 6, 2011 by don

Last night we joined Ntsiki Biyela, the young winemaker of the boutique winery Stellekaya, at the Jena Viva Restaurant in Somerset West for wine tasting and dinner. Having grown up in Kwa Nondlovu village in KwaZulu Natal, Ntsiki exceled in … Continue reading →

Posted in Red Wine, South Africa | Tagged | 3 Comments

Jordan’s Wine Pioneer: Omar Zumot and the Wines of Saint George.

Posted on July 6, 2011 by don

It’s rare that one encounters a true wine pioneer. But Omar Zumot is undoubtedly the preeminent wine pioneer of Jordan. He had an early interest in winemaking and received his training in Ardeche while still in his teens, but it … Continue reading →

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Tercos of Argentina: New Releases of Torrontes, Bonarda, and Sangiovese

Posted on October 8, 2010 by don

Tercos is a new Argentine winery owned by brothers Pedro and Patricio Santos. Winemaker Patricio Santos was educated at UC, Davis, and has worked at Catena in Mendoza and Chimney Rock and Cardinale Winery in the Napa Valley. The three … Continue reading →

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