Bottle Juice

I had this interesting chat with a fellow wine worker person type who just so happens to be Italian, from Piedmont, imports wines of Italy and has pretty strong opinions on the topic. He isn't convinced at all by Australian nebbiolo, but I recalled to him how this Pannell 2008 nebbiolo was slid into a [...]

• Topics: Mike Bennie, Piedmont

Rather than reference Italy, New York or even California, Richard Reddington describes his new Redd Wood as a Napa Valley-style pizzeria and restaurant. It's an appropriate moniker for the freshly opened Yountville spot...

• Topics: Napa, California, Yountville, REDD, Wood

…times. Now all that remains is a palimpsest-like reminder of an era and a leader who almost destroyed Italy. "Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!"

Staying at a winery agritourismo near Udine, yesterday we tasted almost 50 Pinot Grigio wines, from the Veneto, Friuli and Alto Adige. Why, one might ask? Where are those famous vertical tastings of great Baroli? Those would be easier found back in America. Italy is still open for business and we must feed the hungry …

• Topics: Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine, Prosecco, Pinot Gris, Muscat, Veneto
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Of course, the AVA system is based on the models used in France, Italy, Spain, Germany and elsewhere in the traditional wine-growing regions of Europe. But unlike Old World appellations, American AVA's are not restricted to specific grapes. It may not be traditional to grow Tempranillo in Napa or Cabernet in Santa Maria, but you're welcome to do so. The AVA just specifies where the grapes are grown, and it's up to you to make your case for the quality of …

• Topics: American Viticultural Area, California, Burgundy wine, Cabernet-Sauvignon, New World
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…1/2) Alpha Zeta 2012 Chardonnay ($16.00) - Italy

pineapple and apple skin along with some lime zest

and vanilla backing

(*** 1/2+) Alpha Zeta 2010 Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso ($24.00) - Italy

cocoa, cherry and blackberry

(****) Empordalia Verdera Negre 2011 ($13.50) - Spain

nice fruit with cherry and blackberry tones

nice length to the finish and great value

(****)

Domaine de Grand Garant 2011 Fleurie Le Vivier ($23.00) - Beaujolais

pretty …

• Topics: Alpha Zeta, Spain, Nevada, Germany, Australia

…Alto Adige, Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth. lead a tasting and seminar of the wines of Italy's most northern region.

It was an interesting seminar ... the focus was on the multitude of varieties grown and unique microclimates within the region.

I was in Trentino a few months back ... the focus was on the sparkling wines of the region. Today it was on the dry whites and the reds.

Geoff Kruth who is a key person at the Guild of Sommeliers was an energetic and engaging …

• Topics: Alto Adige, Trentino, Gewürztraminer, Master Sommelier Geoff Kruth, Sauvignon blanc
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…Fattoria Casabianca 2009 Chianti Colli Senesi Riserva - $ 19.95 ( Italy)

great value in a delicious Chianti

(****)

Peter Zemmer 2011 Pinot Bianco - $ 16.95 ( Italy)

think not Alsace, this one is dry and mineral driven

(*** 1/2) Peter Zemmer 2011 Muller Thurgau - $ 18.95 ( Italy)

nice grapefruit and mineral character

(****)

Mt Rosa Estate 2009 Pinot Gris - $ 25.95 ( New Zealand)

NZ Pinot Grises are coming on strong and this is no exception …

• Topics: 1/2, Peter Zemmer, 2011, France, Pinot Noir
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…wine to share. We called out to him as we drove by; stopped to see him. His eyes weren't as sad. The Nebbiolo helped. Not being alone did even more. Fabrizio was counting down the days. 709 days to go.

written and photographed by Alfonso Cevola limited rights reserved On the Wine Trail in Italy

wine blog + Italian wine blog + Italy W

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Regular Retail Price: $ 38.00

The Wine Spies One Day Price: $ 26.99

Varietal: Nebbiolo

Region: Italy: Piedmont

Volume: 750 ml

Alcohol %: 13.5

• Topics: Wine Spies, Piedmont, Nebbiolo, Day
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…Gigante Adriano 2010 Pinot Grigio . Friuli. Italy. Pale copper. Served very cold, so not much initially on the nose. Later - Feta (cheese), citrus, wax and lavender. Expressive and clean, gripping and slightly twisted, a suggestion of nuttiness and maybe an opening note of oxidation.

#2. Isole e Olena Cepparello 2007 . Again sealed with stelvin. Somewhat nonspecific to smell, it's firm and flamboyant with tea leaf tannins and a workman like handshake.

Image: Three …

• Topics: Feta, Isole, Cambridge, Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine, Pinot Gris
• The Passionate Foodie: Castello di Amorosa: A Taste of Italy in California