My favorite thing about Italy, besides the people, is the number of different types of wine grapes you can find growing in every little nook and cranny of the country. There is always a new grape to discover. A fairly recent discovery of mine is Croatina.† By "recent" discovery, I mean that I was able … Continue reading Croatina of the Colli Tortonesi
Category: Italy
Dolcetto = Love
What's really a bummer about Italian Dolcetto is that it's so hard to find a good one here in California! Most importers don't bother much with it. Instead they import big hefty and pricey Nebbiolo and important, age-worthy Barbera. Maybe they're thinking Dolcetto isn't as complex as the other wines, hasn't won all the lofty points … Continue reading Dolcetto = Love
Roero DOCG: Arneis
If you read wine books about Roero, they will sum it up (if they even mention it at all) as the neighbor to Barolo and Barbaresco, and the region that is best at producing Arneis, a slightly fragrant, fruity, and light white wine. While I agree that Roero does produce high quality Piemontese white wines, … Continue reading Roero DOCG: Arneis
Barbera and Nebbiolo: California vs Piemonte
Well, I write a lot of notes but have neglected to document one of my most important nights in Italy last fall. Part of me is disappointed and part of me relieved. At the sacrifice of finding every little nuance in every wine I tried, I took the opportunity to just be present and appreciate … Continue reading Barbera and Nebbiolo: California vs Piemonte
Roero DOCG: Nebbiolo
A couple of years ago when I was visiting the winery of Matteo Correggia, one of the most prominent producers of the Roero region, and Sara Palma, who oversees the winery's marketing and external relations, was explaining to me the terrain of the Roero, I asked if there was a map of the cru vineyards … Continue reading Roero DOCG: Nebbiolo
“Cal-Ital” wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains (SCM) appellation is known mainly for Pinot noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon.† But wine makers around here actually do grow an assortment of other grapes including Syrah, Merlot, Zinfandel, and plenty of others in experimental quantities. Aside from that, many of them buy grapes from other regions and in general, make … Continue reading “Cal-Ital” wines from the Santa Cruz Mountains
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