Chionetti, da sola

Never drink alone. What does that really mean and why do people like to hold to such absolutes? Does that mean a single person shall never enjoy a special glass of wine with his dinner?  He shall strictly be limited to water until he can find himself a life partner?  Does that mean a person … Continue reading Chionetti, da sola

Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG

Un poco di storia personale My second real wine love was Amarone.  It happened on the same day I discovered and fell in love with Nebbiolo.   But my relationships with these two have played out quite differently over the years.  While Nebbiolo and I have increased the frequency of our rendezvous as of late, Amarone … Continue reading Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG

Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba

How could anyone possibly like Pinot noir more?  More than Nebbiolo –when you have a Nebbiolo like this?  This puts all those $35+ Cali Pinots to shame.  But let’s really be honest here.  Who is charging $35 for their Pride and Joy – from egregiously expensive plot of land – “We use all new French … Continue reading Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba

Cesanese, Cerasuolo, Ruche, Chiavennasca…

- Cesanese - When I teach my Italian Wines classes I like to throw in at least one obscure wine that I am sure no one has ever heard of (or better yet, one that I have never heard of, and have to learn myself!).  For my last Southern Italian Wines class, I added a … Continue reading Cesanese, Cerasuolo, Ruche, Chiavennasca…

Ai suma

Part I. One of my favorite things to do is cook for my friends.  My friends are troopers; they allow me to be this way.  My husband also puts up with it.  So about once a year, I go crazy and make a multi-course meal with wine pairings and all the accoutrements.  The theme these … Continue reading Ai suma

Vinitaly 2010: Day 2. Getti alcune monete Euro nella macchina e speri a Dio la porta si apre. (Throw some Euro coins in the machine and hope to God the gate opens.)

On my second day at Vinitaly, I was going to be travelling solo.  When I had originally booked my plane ticket, the thought of being caught in this situation had been nothing less than horrifying.  (I’d been once before (another story entirely) and knew how intense this event was.)  But when this day arrived, I … Continue reading Vinitaly 2010: Day 2. Getti alcune monete Euro nella macchina e speri a Dio la porta si apre. (Throw some Euro coins in the machine and hope to God the gate opens.)