Like all Italian regions, Piemonte loves its DOCs and DOCGs, the officially delineated zones that produce legally-defined wines. Thus, Barolo DOCG is a small area of 11 communes or townships in which wines are made from 100 per cent Nebbiolo grapes, subject to various rules about maximum yields and minimum maturation times. In line with
Diary: 11 – Mapping Piemonte Read More »
When I started this diary of a wine writer, I, of course, had no idea that this project was going to be impacted by a worldwide event. Back in October, Coronavirus was definitely not in the news. Even when I was in Alba in late January it was still something happening in faraway China, or
Diary: 10 – Plan B? Read More »
Grandi Langhi ‘Diary of a Wine Writer’ has become ‘Diary’, rather simpler than DWW, an opaque acronym, if close to my initials. I have just returned from a first, exploratory visit to the Langhe, the most well-known wine area of Piemonte. The occasion was Grandi Langhe, a presentation to the trade of the new vintages
Diary: 8 – taking the temperature Read More »
2019 turns into 2020 First of all, a heartfelt thank you to all who kindly responded to my announcement about The Wines of Piemonte. I have been really encouraged by all who took the trouble to respond to my news. It is such an exciting project for me … and I hope for followers of
Diary of a wine writer 7: greetings Read More »
After the exhilaration of hearing that the Classic Wine Library has agreed to publish my book on The Wines of Piemonte, what’s next? First, just revel in that sentence! And then over the next months and years, I can focus on one great Italian region and get into it in real depth. There is always a
Diary of a wine writer 4: what’s next? Read More »
In my last post, I reported that Piemonte won the race over Tuscany and Campania/ Basilicata. But can I persuade a publisher that this is a good subject … and that I am the person to write the book? I am a fan of the Classic Wine Library. It was founded 50 years ago and
Diary of a wine writer 3: cue celebration! Read More »
As I explained in my last blog post, I have now completed my wine studies and have decided I would like to write a book. This is probably going to mean choosing between Italian regions. But what is the subject going to be? Readers of this website will know that I have devoted much of
Diary of a wine writer 2: choices Read More »
