In general, I try my best to stay focused on wine, food, and wine related travel here on Wine Predator, with a solid side of sustainability: biodynamics, organic, climate change. Over on Art Predator, I’m not as silent: there’s more politics, environmental and other issues (plus writing tips, music, art, literature, and film reviews… when I’m not too busy her on Wien Predator!).
But I can’t stay silent about this election longer .
It’s time to say Bye Don. Continue reading
There were only a few short rows for the final harvest today at Clos des Amis– a late harvest riesling.
While we may be firmly in fall, these whites from biodynamic Brooks in Oregon’s Willamette Valley will bring back the joys of summer to your glass.
Pacific View Dolcetto and Olive trees
The big news this harvest in Ventura County isn’t COVID, but it’s definitely related to FEVER — FIRE and HEAT.
While an early harvest wine grape overall, the 2020 wine grape harvest is looking good so far according to owners and winemakers in Ventura County at The Ojai Vineyard, Clos Des Amis, Topa Mountain and Pacific View. By late September, just about everything was in with only some grapes destined for late harvest wines are on the vine; I’ll be out picking the Riesling at Clos des Amis on Wednesday.
With the heat spikes, 2020 harvest came early, Continue reading
Sunset on the California Rincon, Ventura County
As if 2020 wasn’t challenging enough, I’ve decided to participate in Blogtober and Sobertober. October is also #MerlotMe, and yes I’m participating in that, too.
October is #MerlotMe. Stay tuned for more Merlot!
Blogtober is where participants try to blog every day in the month of October. Today is October 4, and this is my fourth blog post this month so so far so good. Continue reading
look at that color!
In 2020, much is on my radar that was not in 2019.
Much of it bad.
But like the Wines of Moldova which we first tasted and wrote about in July, some of it is good.
And because we now live in a virtual world there are more opportunities to learn than ever before about smaller less well known wine regions of the world.
Like Moldova which is celebrating Moldova Wine Day today, October 3 and tomorrow, October 4, with webinars, twitter chats and more (see below).
So where is Moldova and why do you need to get these grapes in your glass?
For Tenuta di Fessina owner Silvia Maestrelli, “I look up to Mount Etna like a daughter would look up to a mother.”
Or possibly a phoenix.
Like a mother, Mt Etna or A Muntagna, as the locals refer to the mountain, is a living organism. Ash, dust, and smoke from Etna, at 11,000′ the highest active volcano in Europe, give the region its distinctive volcanic soil which brings unique flavors, styles, and character to the wines grown there.
Winemaking in Sicily goes back to 4000BC. The Greeks developed viticulture there brought in the 8th century B.C, and with its central location in the Mediterranean, it’s no surprise that The Phoenicians and the Romans traded Sicilian wines which led to their renown.
Located between two ancient lava beds, the volcano and Tenuta di Fessina together create a unique micro climate. In the village of Rovittello, the winery has vineyards on different sides of the mountain, in Rovittello and between Milo and Santa Maria di Licodìa.
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 