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
Its color is gold, and its characteristics are magical. With daily consumption -- a teaspoon is enough -- it can help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and even breast cancer. Nothing supernatural, though: this is simply extra virgin olive oil, which, along with wine, is one of the most
Don't be fooled by the low price and the readily available small bottles - this is a perfectly lovely little sparkler that will work for mimosas or a celebratory toast, but at this price it's best use is an every day sparkling wine to pair with everything from popcorn and
What do a fine wine and a good perfume have in common? Exactly: the olfactory element. Why does this matter? Because our sense of smell can put us in contact with our deepest and most personal life experiences -- as if we all were new Prousts seeking individual Madeleine moments.
An amazing take on pinot grigio: not typical at all, and wonderful in a unique way. I don’t always agree with the choices made by the famed Alois Lageder production team – but here I definitely come down on their side. They source the grapes for this wine from limestone
A richer pinot grigio that is perfect for end-of-summer meals. It’s made with grapes from Le Rosse vineyard on the Prunea estate in Valpolicella’s Sant’Ambrogio valley. The wine‘s aromas have apple and lychee. Then a streak of honey begins in the nose and continues into the palate. Hearty and creamy
Had a great experience with Mionetto Prosecco the other night, at the book launch for my friend Barbara Lynn Davis’ new novel Casanova’s Secret Wife. As some may know, Casanova (who actually was a real person) spent a good deal of his enthusiastically-lived life in Venice and the Veneto region