"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
‘Tis the season for Oscar parties. If you really want to impress your friends during this Sunday’s festivities, don your tux or gown, get behind the bar, and whip up some of these cocktails inspired by some of the nominees. The George Clooney 3 oz. Hendrick’s gin Juice of ½
Historically, wine business activity—or any interest in wine—in Mississippi has been hindered by several factors. But today, a slowly maturing wine scene is emerging on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Until very recently, a stringent state-controlled alcohol system, the lingering effects of falling within the overly conservative “Bible Belt”, and a