It is always worth a trip to the southern regions of Italy, particularly in summer when nature is in full bloom. This season I was invited to participate as a judge in Radici del Sud, the Exhibition of Southern Italian wines (organized by the Association Propapilla) which was hosted by
Do you know the grape balbiani? Ever read about a grape named sezannensis, or one called oiriki? Even if you’re an “expert” wine lover, curious to learn about everything in the wine world, it’s likely that you’ve never heard these names. Don’t worry if you don’t know about them. They
The color shows medium concentration, ruby in the center with a garnet rim. The nose is impressive, balsamico with dried red currant fruits and bitter greens, tobacco, orange rind, tea leaves. The palate is good, with similar flavors, but does not quite meet the promise of the nose, with lower
I had entertained the idea of starting a home vineyard on a family property within eyesight of downtown for several years. I had hesitated because I was not certain which cultivars would do well at the site. Two years ago,-read more-
2005 Domenico Aglianico, Sutter Creek Vineyard, Amador County contains 8.3% Petite Sirah from Lodi. Like the 2006, it was whole berry fermented, underwent extended maceration and spent 11 months in French and American oak. This wine offered a mature bouquet-read more-
The 2008 Witch Creek Aglianico, from Valle de Guadeloupe fruit, was a bit of a stylistic departure from this producer’s Montepulcianos (from the same region). Brambly blackberry aromas, up front, were followed by hints of pepper and smoke and a-read more-
The 2008 Terra d'Oro is 100% Aglianico from the Shenendoah Valley in Amador County. The wine was fermented in half-ton bins and was pressed directly into barrels after seven days of skin contact. It spent 16 months in 100% second-read more-
The 2008 Mandola Aglianico from Duchman Family Winery, is a 100% varietal wine sourced from fruit grown in the Reddy Vineyard in the Texas High Plains. The wine was fermented in stainless steel and then spent 10 months in American-read more-