Variety Focus
Fun and obscure: Spain’s mencia grape, Bierzo region, and Descendientes de J. Palacios “Petalos” wine
Spanish wines continue to amaze me. After six beautiful weeks traveling the country, I still was not ready to leave the land of cava, sherry, garnacha, and crianza. Thankfully, the global wine world still makes it possible for gorgeous Spanish wines to be delivered to my door (or, in this case, to the door … Continue reading
An unconventional Puglian grape: Negroamaro
Just when I think I’ve learned a thing or two about Italian wines from my five months in this country, I venture into a new region and am reminded how many grapes this country produces, and how little I know. Such was the case during my recent three weeks in Puglia: the “heel” of the … Continue reading
Stefano Farina Italia Nebbiolo d’Alba 2008
In an attempt to break my readers out of the habit of drinking Chianti every time they are in the mood for an Italian red, I present to you this delicious Nebbiolo d’Alba from Stefano Farina. Many are intimidated by anything other than Chianti, and understandably so: there are so many Italian grapes to learn, … Continue reading
Discovering Canaiolo in Perugia, Italy
At Sedimentality, we try hard not to get political. It gets in the way of enjoying our food and wine. But all this talk about the Amanda Knox trial has made me think of one thing: Perugia, the city in Central Italy where Ms. Knox lived (and where the mysterious murder took place). We had … Continue reading
Italian Vernaccia: an under-the-radar summer white wine
When planning our three months in Italy, I obviously envisioned wine. Lots of it. Chiantis, Montepulciano d’Abruzzos, Brunellos…. red, red, red, earthy, Italian wine. Yum. Little did I know that I was in for a surprise: the Italian whites are what really surprised me. Grechetto, Frascati, Ribolla, Orvieto, Trebbiano… who knew that Italy had so … Continue reading
The Perfect Picnic Wine: an Overview of Rosé
I don’t want to change the wine world… but I do want to change a few opinions regarding a wine that has received a bad reputation over the last few decades: rosé. What IS rosé? Rosé is a pink wine made from red grapes. The pink color can range from a pale orange to a … Continue reading
Fun, obscure white wines to try
You’re mastered the world of Chardonnay, and Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. You know your way around the Gewurztraminers of Germany and beyond. You’ve even tried a sweet Tokay. Ready to try some really obscure stuff? Yeah. Me too. Here are some wines you may not have heard of but are worth giving a try. Most … Continue reading
Variety Focus: Pigato wine from Liguria
Another region, another new wine! We are in Liguria, a region in Northwestern Italy that borders the Mediterranean. Liguria is known for the Cinque Terre (Italian for “the five lands”, each bordered by a mountain range one on side and the Mediterranean on the other); its capital, Genoa, (home of that “in fourteen hundred ninety-two” … Continue reading
Franciacorta: the OTHER Italian sparkling wine!
Prosecco rules. I love the affordability, the bright bubbles, the crispness and acidity of the wine… it is good, inexpensive sparkling wine. But Prosecco is not the only bubbly from Italy: Franciacorta is another delicious sparkler that is worth a try. Franciacorta is a sparkling wine from the city of Franciacorta, in the Lombardy region … Continue reading
Getting to know the Torgiano wines of Umbria
A wine named after the region where it is produced, Torgiano is probably the most well-known wine of the Umbrian area. Before we get in to the Torgiano blend, I should note that although this is the most popular wine of the area, it is by far not the only wine produced in Torgiano. Similar … Continue reading