Colli Vaibo “Gemma” Lugana Riserva DOC
Like many wine writers, I’m asked all the time what’s my favorite wine. My response is always: what’s on the menu?
Because there are so many unusual and indigenous wines in Italy, choosing a favorite Italian wine is even harder, Continue reading
Prosecco is popular, no doubt about it, and especially this year when it seems there’s little to sparkle about.
But there’s so much more to Italian Sparkling wine than Prosecco! Continue reading
Turley Zin and Barricone Primitivo
Having started out in wine working the tasting room at Ridge Vineyards (which at that time was outside on a picnic table under a deck!), I’ve long been a fan of Zinfandel. My writing partner, Sue Hill, grew up in an Italian family making ravioli by hand and drinking Pesenti Zinfandel from Paso Robles.
Knowing there’s a relationship between Primitivo and Zinfandel, we proposed to the Italian Food Wine Travel group to take a look at Italy’s Primitivo and ask “Is Primitivo The Godfather of Zinfandel”? Continue reading
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.
First celebrated in 1989, Italian American Heritage Month each October honors and recognizes the centuries of achievements and contributions of the Italian immigrants and Italian Americans. Between 1820 and 2000, over five million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 2000 bringing with them a rich cuisine, and a tradition of growing grapes and making wine.
Today 26 million Americans of Italian descent live in the United States making Italian-Americans the fifth largest ethnic group in our nation, according to the Order of the Sons and Daughters of Italy and they will be celebrating all month. Here‘s a list of festivals. Continue reading
Last week, I enjoyed watching the sun set, twilight fall, and the glow of the moon in Tuscany, Italy. In front of the house with views of vineyards and the farm of Antonella Manulli, I chatted about sustainability and the Metodo Corino with co-innovators Antonella and Lorenzo Corino and their importer Sheila Donahue of Verovino.
This is one of the oldest places in the world for wine grape cultivation, going back 4,000 years.
As we talked, we all sat outside with our dogs, enjoying the fresh air. Continue reading
What says summer to you?
How about easy meals cooked on the grill or the stove top paired with a nice light bright chilled wine and enjoyed outside on a warm evening with friends?
To beat the summer heat, try these four dry rosato from Italy paired with Sicilian panelle and crabcakes! Continue reading
wine predator.............. gwendolyn alley 