One of the joys of visiting a region is learning about the local grape varieties, in this case, the rare variety Uvalino. Yes, everyone in Monferrato grows Barbera and Moscato but Uvalino is basically grown mainly by Cascina Castlet in Costiglione d’Asti. It has been treasured by Maria Borio who has grown and studied it
Diary 31: Uvalino on the vine Read More »
This really is a diary entry: a first day in Asti DOCG. For the first time in nearly two years, Janet and I are in Piemonte, visiting wineries, talking to technical experts and enjoying brilliant early autumn sunshine. After months of tasting samples and Zoom calls, it is great to actually be here and enjoy
Diary 30: first day in Asti DOCG Read More »
It has been a long, hot, dry summer in Italy … until a group of wine writers turned up in Rimini. But a couple of days of downpours were not going to put us off. And then the sun came out and it was perfect, with some good light too. Here are some of my
Photoblog of Romagna, August 2021 Read More »
One of the joys of visiting a less well-known Italian region is the local grape varieties to be found there. Romagna’s Albana grape variety is a perfect example. It is barely grown anywhere else than between Bologna and Italy’s Adriatic coast and has become a regional speciality of Romagna. It also has beautiful bunches of
Celebrating Romagna’s Albana grape variety Read More »
The first full day of the visit was taken up with Romagna Sangiovese and friends. It is one of the bonuses of this trip that the Sangiovese is complemented with Romagna’s white and sweet wines – Albana, Bombino Bianco, Trebbiano and more. It’s a splendidly mixed diet. The Consorzio di vini di Romagna gave a
Romagna Sangiovese and friends Read More »
It is a genuine delight to be able to travel back to Italy for the first time in 19 months, due to the restrictions of Covid 19. But I am finally back here and it was tempting to kiss the concrete of Bologna airport! I am the guest of Consorzi Vini di Romagna who have
Welcome to Romagna Read More »
It’s easy to think that Piemonte’s great Nebbiolo wines come exclusively from Barolo and Barbaresco. This post features two wines, both 100 per cent Nebbiolo, that come from nearby, one quite well known, one a real hidden gem: two fine Nebbiolos outside Barolo. As part of research for my book, The Wines of Piemonte, I
Diary 29: Nebbiolo outside Barolo, two fine examples Read More »
Yesterday I had the chance to talk to Paolo Aiassa, director of the Terre dei Santi co-operative, as part of my research for The Wines of Piemonte in the Classic Wine Library. I love co-operatives when the wine is good, and it certainly is here. Here are my reflections on another fascinating wine co-operative in
Diary 28: native varieties in a Monferrato co-operative Read More »
The Garda DOC invited a group of wine professionals to taste a selection of their Garda Pinot Grigios. Sadly, this being Covid times, the event was not Pinot Grigio tasted on Lake Garda but on Zoom, second best but still very worthwhile. Garda DOC is in effect a regional DOC, covering large swathes of territory
Pinot Grigio … on Lake Garda Read More »
Aiming for pure fruit expression Tank method sparkling wine has such a bad rap. Do we complain that delicious, refreshing Beaujolais is not grand cru Burgundy? Both have their time and place. In the same way, it makes no sense to compare a fruity and undemanding Prosecco with a grand Champagne. Indeed, within Piemonte, there
Diary 26: tank method sparkling wine: much more than Asti Read More »
