Report from Puglia

Until recently, very little wine was bottled and shipped from Puglia. Now, this emerging wine region is trying to establish its identity with indigenous grapes and is working on upgrading both its wines and its reputation.

Small Italian Wineries Struggle to Crack U.S. Market

San Casciano, Tuscany, Italy – New Jersey native Anthony Finta brings wines from tiny Tuscan estates to eager U.S. consumers.

Off the Beaten Path in Northeastern Italy: Three Winemakers Discuss the Future

“Big industry is destroying nature. It is destroying people, too. That’s why the future lies in natural production, such as ours. Once you try this type of wine, the next morning you feel as if you had milk.”

2007 Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria DOC

When people who don’t love sweet wines ask for more, you know this is a particularly great vintage – and I’ve had this wine several times before. A floral hint wafts up at first. Early sips are orange, apricot and raisin, deepening to raisin and fig as it opens in the glass. Acidity and sugars are beautifully balanced. The apricot finish is just long enough.

Amarone Preview Vintage 2006

Elegant and ready, Amarone Della Valpolicella 2006 is a wine to drink, NOW!

VINO2010 Conference Report

Billed as the largest Italian wine conference outside of Italy, VINO2010, held February 2–5 in New York City, drew hundreds of people in the wine and food sector from across the US for tastings, food samplings, and events.

2008 Masi Modello Rosso Delle Venezie

I found a dusty minerality, ripe red fruits and berries, and a little sweet spice on the nose. On the palate were juicy red fruits, berries and cherries, vanilla and spice, with soft tannins. A great Italian food wine that will go well with meats and tomato sauces. This wine promises to please a crowd without breaking the bank. For Kathleen’s full review visit her blog Between the Vines

2008 Tenuta Villanova Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC

This wine had salt-water taffy and flowers, with white and green fruits on the nose. On the palate were fresh fruits and steely notes, finishing with a burnt-caramel taste that was really quite yummy. It had more body and depth than many Pinot Grigios I’ve tasted. This is another great Italian food wine that will go especially well with soft cheeses and creamy pastas. The bonus is this wine’s as kind to the palate as it is to the pocket book. For Kathleen’s full review visit her blog Between the Vines

2006 Carlo Hauner Malvasia delle Lipari

A silky, rich, nectar like consistency with flavors and aromas of specific fruits and herbs. Fruit and herb cocktail! The 2006 had apricot and peach combining with wild sagebrush aromas. For a full review visit Adam’s blog WineZag.

2008 Poderi Zanusso Sant’ Andrat Bianco

This is the future of box wines! A high quality, absolutely delicious white wine which is also a great value. An aromatic and floral nose with an intriguing taste of peach, melon, spice and some mineral notes. It was crisp, smooth and had a fairly long finish. It has been a real crowd pleaser with my family and friends, and a wine I cannot recommend highly enough. For a full review visit Richard’s blog Passionate Foodie.

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