When I heard recently that there was a new DOC for Barbera Appassimento I was eager to try the wine. 2014 was the first vintage for this DOC wine and it’s now being exported to the US and several other countries. The barbera grapes are dried in open trays for
Though 2011 has been considered one of the best vintages in Sicily, I found the 2010 vintage of this wine to be my favorite at a recent luncheon with winemaker Alessio Planeta. The wine is made with 100% Nero d’Avola from the heart of the Noto DOC area – which
In recent years we have seen many wine myths debunked in the US and Europe. However, some of them still resist fiercely, mainly with older people. For example, in America, many older people believe that only dry wines are quality wines. In Italy there’s a wine myth that “sweet wines
The Traveler Beer Company, based in Burlington, Vermont, released their Pineapple Shandy in their "Springtime Traveler's Variety Pack," with Illusive Grapefruit and Curious Lemon Shandy. It is a wheat ale made with pineapple juice. The pour is cloudy gold, the nose more candied sweet lemon than pineapple. But the pineapple
Last night I was disappointed by a bottle of wine. I have a larger point to make, about how science and wine appreciation are at cross purposes, but let's start with this experience that you have also had. It wasn't a 98.3-point trophy bottle, but it was a wine I
For Brits like myself, 2016 got off to a decidedly queasy start, with the extraordinary proclamations of the UK's Department of Health as it released new, draconian guidelines for alcohol consumption. Let's begin 2017 on a more positive note, ignoring for a moment the various political calamities on both sides of
The nose has loads of black cherry, with a background of dust and tobacco leaf. There is marvelous complexity on the palate. It leads with black cherry, then adds black currant, followed by deeper mulberry, all with an underlying tobacco leaf. Tannins are dusty and drying. This is a
Aromas of honeysuckle and magnolia roll up in waves from the glass. Ripe white peach coats the palate up front, then sour apple zings across, followed by slate and apricot. The finish last a long time. Acids are bright, mouth-feel round. This is a lovely wine at a very moderate