Renato Vacca—the character and spirit of Piedmont

No one is going to deny these are strange times: very trying for many and certainly surreal for the rest of us. Last weekend promised a bit of gloom, and not just via the weather forecast. With these prescribed self-quarantines I wasn’t going to do much except laundry, catch up on a couple of shows … Continue reading Renato Vacca—the character and spirit of Piedmont

The Secret Nobility of Arneis

It’s funny. I’ve spent the last few years trudging through the doldrums of the WSET Diploma curriculum, using Jancis Robinson’s Oxford Companion to Wine as the Holy Grail of wine itself and then I come across this quote by David Gleave, MW in his write-up of the Arneis grape, “The best examples tend to be … Continue reading The Secret Nobility of Arneis

Sustaining the January Sog with Sustainable Pinot noir

Feeling uninspired after the holidays? Weather forecast put a halt to your new year's workout plans? How about these long, cold and soggy January nights? Do they have you in search of warm, rich, comfort food? Well it has mine and they do me. So much for my running goals: my waterproof running shoes were … Continue reading Sustaining the January Sog with Sustainable Pinot noir

The Charming Potential of Colli Tortonesi

I'm really excited to start my blog again, and within the framing of my new website! It’s been a while (two years, ahem … :/ ) since I’ve been super active writing for my blog—and the time away has been quite a journey in more ways than one. While I haven’t captured it through stories … Continue reading The Charming Potential of Colli Tortonesi

Nizza DOCG Barbera: the Perfect Christmas Wine!

I think it's pretty funny that people keep asking me, "what's a good wine to pair with Christmas dinner?" How the heck am I supposed to know what you eat for Christmas dinner? Roast beef? Roast turkey? Pork loin? Baked ham? Steak? And what about sides and sauces? Will it just be pizza? Or are … Continue reading Nizza DOCG Barbera: the Perfect Christmas Wine!

Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Pinot bianco from Collio

I really could have waited to open this. But I was making my favorite Friulian appetizer and the bottle was yelling from its resting place, "me, me! open me!" So I did. Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Pinot bianco 2013. Collio DOC. Pinot bianco 100%. A beautiful, deep, transparent, gold color. It smells of dandelions, lemongrass, beeswax, and … Continue reading Marco Felluga Russiz Superiore Pinot bianco from Collio