Gulfi is a a relatively new producer of organic wines — their wines aren’t widely available but worth seeking out. They were established in 1996 and current production is about 20,000 cases. This is made from the Sicilian red grape Nero d’Avola. It comes from a limestone-based vineyard around Pachino in the Val di Noto [...]
Archive for the ‘Italy’ Category
Gulfi Nero Bufaleffi, 2000
Posted in Italy, tagged Bufaleffi, Gulfi, Nero d'Avola, Organic Wine, Sicilian Wine on May 5, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Italian Amari
Posted in Italy, Spirits | Liquor, tagged Amari, Amaro, Italian Spirits, San Francisco Chronicle, Spume, Wolfgang Weber on April 7, 2008 | 2 Comments »
I am a regular reader of Wolfgang Weber and his blog Spume (it should be on your list of regular reading) — this week he published a great article on Italian Amari that he wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle. Read it here. Cynar, Averna, Fernet Branca are all examples of Italian Amari. Not very [...]
Gulfi, Carjcanti 2004
Posted in Italy, Recommended, tagged Carjcanti, Carricante, Gulfi Wines, Italian White Wine, Wine review on March 23, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Gulfi is a a relatively new producer of organic wines — their wines aren’t widely available but worth seeking out. They were established in 1996 and current production is about 20,000 cases. Carricante is a white variety native to Mount Etna and in a very small quantity in eastern Sicily. The name was supposedly given [...]
Il Poggione Rosso Di Montalcino 2004
Posted in Italy, tagged Il Poggione, Rosso Di Montalcino, Sangiovese on March 20, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Established in 1890, Tenuta Il Poggione has become one of the most highly regarded and sought-after Brunello di Montalcino producers. This Tuscan estate, or tenuta, is owned by the Franceschi family, who continue to build on their already stellar reputation.Il Poggione Rosso di Montalcino is made with carefully selected Sangiovese grapes handpicked from estate vines [...]
Quintarelli Primofiore 2004
Posted in Italy, Recommended, Retailers and Websites, tagged Amarone della Valpolicella, Italian Wine, Priomofiore, Quintarelli, Veneto on March 16, 2008 | 5 Comments »
Known as “the Master of the Veneto,” Giuseppe Quintarelli is considered by many to be the best producer of Amarone della Valpolicella. The estate dates back to 1924 and Giuseppe has been in charge since the mid-1950s. He is an absolute traditionalist, not having changed the techniques set by his father. He ages his Amarone [...]
Enrico Fossi Sassoforte 1999
Posted in Italy, tagged Enrico Fossi, Italian Cabernet Sauvignon, Sassoforte on March 12, 2008 | 6 Comments »
Enrico Fossi’s estate lies on the edge of Florence, in a place called Signa, which is technically called Chianti Colli Fiorentini. Fossi has been recognized for making quality wines with international varieties that can compete with France and California but still retain their Italian identity. Some have said that his Sassoforte is the best expression [...]
Mastroberardino Radici Taurasi 2001
Posted in Italy, Recommended, tagged Aglianico, Italian Wine, Mastroberardino, Wine review on March 11, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Taurasi, one of Italy’s most admired and well-known red wines, is derived from the late-ripening Aglianco, a variety that has been cultivated in southern Italy for over 2,000 years. Taurasi is known for its capacity to age, as well as powerful structure and aromatic concentration. Mastroberardino’s single vineyard Radici Taurasi made its debut in 1986. [...]
Brancaia Ilatraia 2003
Posted in Italy, tagged Cabernet Sauvignon, Ilatraia, Italian Wine, Maremma, Sangiovese, Tuscan wine, Wine Spectator on February 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%), Sangiovese (30%) and Petit Verdot (10%). Nice raspberry, cherry and dark berry components with a little graphite, tar — and a bit of damp forest floor. Ample body with lush, silky tannins. 13.5% alcohol. 1,650 cases produced. 96 points and number 29 on the Wine Spectators [...]
Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Riserva 2004
Posted in Italy, Recommended, tagged Chianti, Italian Wine, Nipozzano Riserva, Sangiovese, Tuscany on February 7, 2008 | 2 Comments »
This is a great Chianti at this price point (about $16-$18) and quite consistent as well. The Nipozzano has topped many a critics wine lists in recent vintages (including a spot in Wine Spectator’s Top 100) — and is something I almost every year. Rich and structured, this bold Chianti Rufina is a can’t miss [...]
Le Terrazze Chaos 2000
Posted in Italy, Recommended, Wine Makers, tagged Italy, Le Marche, Le Terrazze on January 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Antoni Terni is the man in control at Le Terrazze. He is the grandson of the man who first planted this estate in 1882. Far from being a typical Italian winemaker, he was born in Argentina and worked as a nuclear engineer before deciding to take over the family wine business. Terni has become Le [...]
Poggio Scalette 2001 Il Carbonaione
Posted in Italy, Recommended, Retailers and Websites, tagged Italy, Sangiovese, Wine Retailers and Websites on January 6, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
In some ways it seems as though Italy has taken a back seat as Australia and Spain have gotten a lot of great press in the last 3-5 years. Now with the 2005 Bordeaux release, Italy has continued to fly under the radar. But in my mind, Italy was one of the first wine producing [...]
