Buongiorno agli amici della vigna, The mountainous reaches of northeastern Italy’s Alto Adige region have witnessed the ebb and flow of civilization and its ambitions, all of which pass away as steadily and quietly as glacial melt. Many settlers have left their mark, from Otzi the Neolithic Iceman (www.iceman.it; clearly a relative of mine…), to … Continue reading
Buongiorno Amici, Sicily’s Mt Etna has exploded…..no, not a volcanic eruption, which is very possible for this still active cauldron. Rather, the renewed interest and investment that has taken place over the last 10 years has allowed the wine growing culture on Etna’s slopes to pass from ancient obscurity into the modern limelight of wine … Continue reading
Bonjour aux amateurs des vins du Rhone, The various satellite villages of the southern Rhone valley of France are a treasure trove of rich and satisfying wines, chock full of Provencal character. One of the northern most towns of the Cotes du Rhone villages appellation is the picturesque town of Seguret, pictured here. Settled almost … Continue reading
Bonjour aux amateurs de la Bourgogne! I too often hear people bemoan the lack of value to be found in Burgundy, that it is an overpriced minefield whose true beauty is frustratingly elusive. Well to those folks I put forward the wines of the Belland family, grape growers in Santenay for the past six generations. … Continue reading
Chateauneuf du Pape is the emblematic royalty of the Southern Rhone. Within its large appellation acreage, there are many house styles and microclimactic differences that connoisseurs are recognizing in increasing detail. Having followed Chateauneuf for almost a decade now, I can say that there seems to be a sweet spot to my palate: the North/Northeast … Continue reading
San Gimignano rising out of the mist Buongiorno agli amici della vigna, Nestled in the Tuscan hills between Firenze and Siena, just outside of the idyllic medieval hilltop town of San Gimignano, there lies a special place, cared for by some special souls. This is the land of Vernaccia, a unique & intensely perfumed white … Continue reading
Buongiorno tutti! In reflecting upon today’s introduction, it reminds me of how Life has a funny way of unfolding sometimes…….destiny’s cards are dealt, and we play our hand. Sometimes twists and turns in the road lead us to places that we had no intention of visiting; yet once we arrive, we find unforseen … Continue reading
Bonjour les amis du vin, This is an image of the heart of Savigny les Beaune of Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. Map of Savigny The purple colored parcels are village level vineyards; the darker red parcels are 1er cru vineyards. The photo is from standing in aux Serpentieres, looking south across the valley towards les Jarrons … Continue reading
Bonjour et joyeuses fetes a tout le monde! Of the growers that I work with, there are a few elder statesmen whose depth of knowledge/experience, serene grace, stirringpresence, and masterful craft invoke a feeling of being with a true Jedi: Michel Lafarge of Volnay and Philippe Foreau of Vouvray come to mind…. Of the younger … Continue reading
Bonjour mes amis, Imagine, if you will, that it’s the middle of the night in a sleepy alpine hamlet, the moon and stars shining brightly down upon the surrounding mountains. The only sound to be heard is the nocturnal chorus of the wind and insects, playing their timeless tune. Out of this familiar calm and … Continue reading
