Headed to Bardolino, Italy, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Though granted DOC status in 1968 for its deliciously light reds, industrialized, bulk production in the 1980s tarnished the region's reputation. But the recent resurgence of Chiaretto, the area's rosé, has quality on the rise. Had the traditional rosso, I
Now that we are all drinking rosé wine year-round, you’ll want to hear about this lesser-known, wonderfully dry and minerally rosé from the north of Italy: Chiaretto. Late last fall, in search of Chiaretto, I arrived at the shore of Lake Garda to discover a serene lifestyle, off-season in this
Complex and chewy, this wine is worth twice the price and should be paired with a fine steak. Leather, bacon fat, plums, and black currant all show on a delicious nose. It is full-bodied and leathery, with very fine grained tannins and rich black fruit. A touch of licorice joins
If you ask an experienced winelover, “What are the greatest Italian red wines?” It’s likely their reply would be, “Barolo, Brunello and Amarone!” But how many people can say they have sampled Amarone? Barolo is the celebrated Piedmontese wine made with Nebbiolo grapes. Brunello is made with Tuscan sangiovese grapes.
I went to Valpolicella to learn about the region's most expensive, highly regarded wine: Amarone. Made from dried grapes, this wine is hotter than ever and the Italian press now gathers annually to taste new Amarone releases. I tagged along, hoping to discover what I have been missing. Instead, I
Even if they've drunk it before, most everyone experiences a serious first encounter with wine – one moment when you know you’ve really latched onto something magical. When I escaped Appalachia after college, the people I associated with, first academics and journalists, then corporate types, mainly drank cocktails, starting at
I went to Valpolicella to learn about the region's most expensive, highly regarded wine: Amarone. Made from dried grapes, this wine is hotter than ever and the Italian press now gathers annually to taste new Amarone releases. I tagged along, hoping to discover what I have been missing. Instead, I
Why do I let so much time elapse between bottles of Amarone? This is an extra-rich, extra-layered wine because it’s made from grapes that are dried for months, concentrating the flavor and adding a sweet, dried-cherry tone to the aromas and flavors. The Tommasi wine is classic, beginning with a