A couple of spare days between visiting Alto Adige and returning to Barolo during the fall of 2013 led me to the hilly vineyards in the far eastern stretches of Friuli. It was there that I discovered the remarkable Collio DOC zone and the true potential of the Ribolla gialla grape. Dating back to the … Continue reading Ribolla Gialla: Ribolla di Oslavia & George Vare Ribolla
Category: Estranged-Italian-Grapes
Reviews of wines made from Italian varieties that are not grown in Italy.
Pinot grigio as ‘Orange Wine’
Wine drinkers in the US like to bash Pinot grigio, saying it tastes like water, has no personality, is innocuous, or is just simply a waste of time. I'll give them "innocuous," on most accounts—but I'd prefer that to some noxiously herbal cats-piss elixir or a thick golden yellow "juice" that tastes like buttered popcorn. … Continue reading Pinot grigio as ‘Orange Wine’
A Snapshot of California Nebbiolo
A small but dedicated group of California Nebbiolo producers picks one day every couple of years to get together and explore one of their own Nebbiolo vineyards, compare each others' wines, and discuss the future of the grape in this state. On the second day, they hold a small public tasting; this year Domenico Winery offered to … Continue reading A Snapshot of California Nebbiolo
Excuse me, you said Barbera d’ … what!?
It's my tenth Barrel Tasting Weekend and I'm standing in the Preston Winery tasting room with eight of my friends ... While Preston does not participate in the event weekend, that doesn't matter to us. We'll stop anyway; we want to know what's new. In general, the participants in this northern Sonoma springtime event limit … Continue reading Excuse me, you said Barbera d’ … what!?
Due Vigne Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
You won’t catch me in any big box or department stores on Black Friday; I’m usually hitting the trails. But for the past two years I have sought middle ground by supporting local and small businesses. Last year I attended the Surf City Vintners Art, Wine, & Gift Bazaar here in Santa Cruz, a fantastic … Continue reading Due Vigne Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
DaVero Winery and Dry Creek Valley Sagrantino
I am delighted to share with you all an impressive winery in Dry Creek Valley that I discovered a couple of weeks ago. But I've got to level with you guys—I always do—I'm a couple of days in front of a big trip to Italy and pressed for time. So you are getting a condensed version of … Continue reading DaVero Winery and Dry Creek Valley Sagrantino
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