Treasures of Italy’s Southern Adriatic and Ionian Coasts
featured, Italy: Center & South
, Jul 2021
It’s no wonder that the Romans thought of the territory that comprises Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia as a Garden of Eden. These regions between the southern Adriatic and Ionian coasts and the mountains to the north are strongly influenced by both elevation and proximity to the sea. Whites and reds frequently overdeliver, making Calabria, Basilicata and Puglia treasure troves of value, while the top wines rival the best of Italy.
Sicily: The Island Nation
featured, Italy: Center & South
, Jun 2021
There was a time when I believed wine lovers were ready to give up on the idea that Sicily might ever shrug off its reputation for large cooperatives, bulk production and false starts to fine-wine glory. Luckily, that day never came. Quite simply, the wines of Sicily have never been better than they are right now. The combination of drastically diverse terroirs, a huge uptick in quality and a vast number of varieties has created an embarrassment of riches for the discerning wine lover.
Cellar Favorite: 2005 Vietti Barolo Castiglione
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Italy: Piedmont
, May 2021
When I purchased the 2005 Vietti Castiglione for $34 a bottle, I did so knowing that the worst-case scenario is that it would be a great Barolo to check-in over the course of ten years; but what I only realized a few years back is that this bottle, which I thought might be in decline by now, was still maturing in a positive way.
Cellar Favorite: 2011 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Italy: Tuscany
, Apr 2021
After the tragic passing of proprietor Lionel Cousin, I found myself digging through my cellar for past vintages of his lovely creation, the Cupano Brunello di Montalcino.
Cellar Favorite: 2004 Poggio Il Castellare Brunello di Montalcino
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Italy: Tuscany
, Apr 2021
Having just celebrated its fifteenth birthday, I thought it was about time to check in on the 2004 Brunello di Montalcino from Poggio Il Castellare, an estate from the southeast that I associate with suave character and dark ripe fruits.
Abruzzo and Molise: More Than Meets the Eye
featured, Italy: Center & South
, Apr 2021
The time has come to dig into Abruzzo and Molise, regions that offer everything from easy-drinking wines to world-class bottles, all while delivering terrific value. My recent tastings suggest the wines have come a long way - and this is just the beginning.
Cellar Favorite: 2014 Tenuta delle Terre Nere Etna Bianco Santo Spirito Cuvée delle Vigne Niche
cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Italy: Center & South
, Apr 2021
I remember quite well the first time I tasted the 2014 Santo Spirito Cuvée delle Vigne Niche Bianco. My eyes lit up the second I put my nose to the glass.
Where the Wild Things Are: Welcome to Sardinia
featured, Italy
, Mar 2021
Vines, like people, endure and build character through living and growing within the most harsh and rugged environments. Nowhere within Italy is this more evident than on the Island of Sardinia, which can almost seem like a country, or even a continent unto itself. The island covers 9,300 square miles; and with a 125-mile separation from the mainland, when touring its diverse terrain, listening to its own dialect and taking in the regional flavors, it would be easy to forget that you are indeed in Italy.
Vinous in the Kitchen: Solve the Amarone Pairing Dilemma: Risotto al Vino Rosso
Vinous in the Kitchen
, Mar 2021
What should I pair with Amarone? This is one of the most common questions I am asked whenever discussing Amarone. Luckily, the times really are a changin’ and many winemakers are now producing more balanced and savory wines that make bringing a bottle of Amarone to the dinner table a much more palatable option than in the past. So, what do you pair with Amarone? When all else fails, make a Risotto.
In the Sweet Spot: 2001 Brunello di Montalcino
featured, Italy: Tuscany, Verticals & Retrospectives
, Mar 2021
Montalcino has come so far in a relatively short amount of time. Generational transitions, a focus on terroir and the willingness to showcase Sangiovese’s inherent character above winemaking wizardry have come together, resulting in many wines that have never been better than they are today. In this article I look back at the 2001s, wines from another era that, in a sense, helped pave the way to the region's success. So where do the 2001 Brunellos stand today, twenty years later?