Twenty five years ago, Lanfranco Beleggia purchased an abandoned farm and began the project to create an estate that included a vineyard with winery, gourmet restaurant and luxury accommodations. On a sunny early fall morning Neil Duarte visited Officina del Sole. Here’s his report. Read article.
While we watch California’s wildfires with horror and sadness, one Napa winery has found a way to make lemonade out of lemons. Or raisins out of smoky grapes.
Archives | Subscribe (free!) | Previous article: Wines that make us thankful Read article.
Clear ruby color, shading to a clear edge. Subtle, clean red berry aromas lead into a fresh, acidic flavor that mirrors the nose, brisk and long.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Find vendors and compare prices for Boisset Bourgogne Pinot Noir “Les Ursulines” on Wine-Searcher.com. Read article.
Clear gold, pale and transparent. Fresh, tart apple aromas and a whiff of white wildflowers. Mouth-filling, elegant apple and pear flavors give way to chalky minerality, framed by crisp, palate-cleansing acidity and moderate 12% alcohol.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and locate vendors for Domaine Laroche Chablis “Saint Martin” on Wine-Searcher.com. Read article.
When I open a bottle of Chianti and fondly breathe in that first whiff of its characteristic spicy tart-cherry aroma, I realize that this is not just a wine that I like. It is a wine that makes me thankful.
Archives | Subscribe (free!) | Previous article: Erasing Montepulciano confusion Read article.
If you want a good Chianti that could serve as the picture next to the definition for Chianti in the dictionary, I don’t think you could do much better than the Ruffino “Aziano” Chianti Classico featured in this week’s column.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Check prices and find places to buy Ruffino “Aziano” Chianti Classico on Wine-Searcher.com.
Find dozens of Chianti Classico wines and vendors, plus a concise article about Chianti Classico on this Wine-Searcher link.
Read article.
Lazio, the region that includes the city of Rome, used to be known for fairly average wines. No more, says Neil Duarte, who found much different – and better – wines on a recent visit. Read article.
If you want to argue that the world of fine wine is never confusing, you should probably avert your eyes from Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.
But here’s interesting news: Frustrated at last with the ongoing confusion, wine makers in Vino Nobile’s home village are taking “Montepulciano” off the front label.
Archives | Subscribe (free!) | Previous article: Rehabilitating Beaujolais … and gin Read article.
This tasty Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a clear dark reddish-purple color, shading to a lighter garnet edge. Simple but fresh, tart cherries and blackberries with an edge of spice on the nose and palate. Fresh-fruit acidity and moderate astringent tannins surround dark fruit on the palate, with appealing cherry-berry fruit lingering in the finish. Its 14 percent alcohol doesn’t overwhelm the flavor.
FIND THIS WINE ONLINE:
Find vendors and check prices for La Fiera Montepulciano d’Abruzzo on Wine-Searcher.com.
Find dozens of other Montepulciano d’Abruzzo bottlings and vendors on this Wine-Searcher link. Read article.
Today let’s take an affectionate look at two beverages that have suffered from seriously poor reputations over time but that, at least among those who know them, have regained their appeal and become desirable again. I’m talking about Beaujolais, and I’m talking about gin.
Archives | Subscribe (free!) | Previous article: Is ‘minerality’ a word?
Read article.
