Italian Wines
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
Il Conte d’Alba Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you: the PERFECT Sunday brunch wine. I’ll be honest, I’m not really a sweet wine person. Except Vin Santo. Or a really good Sagrantino passito. Or an occasional sweeter Torrontes. Or a good Double Cream Sherry… oh, ok, turns out, I AM a sweet wine lover. But THIS wine … Continue reading
Campogiovanni Rosso di Montalcino DOC 2009
I might as well come clean at the beginning: I purchased this wine by mistake. I often preach about how “simple” Italian wine labels are if you learn how to decipher them, but the truth is, even after spending three months traveling through Italy and sampling the wines of its many regions, I still get … Continue reading
Zonin Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2009
Truth be told: I opened this bottle to cook with it. Truth be told: I did cook with it… at least, with half of the bottle… and the husband and I happily drank the rest. The Zonin Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is probably one of the best buys I have come across since moving back to the … Continue reading
Brutocao Family Vineyards Uber Tuscan 2008
Mom bought this bottle during a recent trip to Hopland and gifted it to me for my birthday. I was so eager to open it! Having never been to Hopland (and having heard so many of her stories enjoying the area during the region’s Passport weekend), I was so excited to try one 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
Winery Focus: Fattoria Colleallodole di Milziade Antano
Things often get lost in translation when traveling. So when my friend Brenda, owner of Bibenda wine bar in Assisi (and author of a great blog, Italian Winestyle) told me that we would be visiting a “garage winemaker” called Fattoria Colleallodole di Milziade Antano, I wondered the true meaning of the term. I thought perhaps … 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