When I was in the French region of Armagnac in December, everyone was all excited about selling Armagnac in China. As well they should be. While Armagnac is a beautiful, tawny, aromatic spirit with a long tradition, in recent decades it has fallen far below Cognac in world recognition, consequently
“How do we farm in such a way that we actually contribute to the expression and the nature of our products?” asked Paul Dolan. This was one of the questions taken up by an all-star cast of winemakers from around the globe during an event organized by Canadian wine agency
"These are my girls," smiles Susanna, stroking the belly of one of them with great kindness and affection. “She” replies with a quick, happy gurgle. Susanna Crociani. Photo: Max Cocchetti Susanna's Girls live all together, in a not-very-large room; on tiptoe, a feeble beam of light slips inside, careful not to
Kerin O'Keefe's Brunello di Montalcino is not simply an enjoyable wine book; it's one of the rare wine books that is truly important. O'Keefe, an American writer with many years experience in Italy and, particularly, in Tuscany, sets out to explain what makes this wine so special. And in doing
The months toward the end of winter and beginning of spring are Amarone della Valpolicella time. In this period, in fact, two important events are hosted in Verona, Italy -- two different series of tastings of this renowned Italian red wine. “Amarone in Villa” (“Amarone in the Manor”) is organized
Two weeks ago I returned home from The Symposium for Professional Wine Writers, held at the Meadowood Napa in St. Helena the week prior to Premiere Napa Valley. I’m kicking myself for not accepting the invitation to stay for Premiere – the Napa Valley Vintner’s annual “bake sale,” as NVV
Sangiovese, barbera, primitivo…the classic Italian grape varieties most cultivated across Italy. But grown in Sonoma, California? They are and have been dating back to the late 1800’s and thriving today. The arrival of Italian grape varieties in Sonoma can be traced to 1881 and the founding of the Italian Swiss
Here in Champagne, one often says that champagne is first and foremost a wine. However the characteristics of this wine change significantly with the adding of the dosage (a mixture of base wine and cane sugar) at the time of disgorging. Today's most popular Champagne style is brut—which often contains 6 to 12