Just another reason to love Vermentino di Sardegna in the summer.  This “Costamolino” Vermentino is a beautiful little wine from Argiolas.  Perfect for summer sipping; cool, refreshing and fruity.  There is a pronounced amount of yellow plum and white peaches, puctuated by the trademark salinity of Sardegna’s sunny vineyards.  This wine is like potato chips- you can’t have just one… bottle.

Image from: the NY Times

I first read about a mythic, underwater wine being made off the Ligurian coast by Piero Lugano, when the NY Times posted this incredible article about Bisson winery’s aptly-named Abissi.

It seems Piero wanted to craft a traditional sparkling wine, but did not have the room in his tiny winery to hold the bottle while they re-fermented.  So he did what any good Italian would do- he came up with a ridiculously logical, yet completey shocking solution:  Hold the bottles underwater, where there is nothing but available space. Continue reading →

There are many reasons to love Nebbiolo.  But then, love defies even reason.

Ettore Germano’s 2004 Barolo from the Ceretta vineyard is one of my recent favorites.  The Ceretta is brawny, but still elegant, with fine tannins and a lot of ripe, slippery fruit. This wine truly is a gift- precious, full of meaning and soul.

I enjoyed this bottle on my birthday. The wine was delicate, complex- perhaps too young, but perfect in that moment- full of promises.

Nebbiolo, in all your passionate, violet, silken madness.  I am Dante to your Beatrice.

This week I am fortunate to be travelling with Judith Unterholzner of Cantina Andriano and Cantina Terlano in Italy’s Alto Adige region.  We will be participating in a series of events and tastings on the West Coast to promote the wines and culture of this beautiful part of Italy.  If you’re in these area, please stop by and say hello!

• Today, Monday April 16: San Francisco, CA

Westin St. Francis, 1-4pm

• Wednesday, April 18, Portland, OR

Portland Art Museum, 1-4pm

• Thursday, April 19, Seattle WA

Washington Athletic Club, 1-4pm

Beautiful wines, beautiful people.  I hear a bottle of Pinot Bianco calling my name right now…

In less than two weeks, I am returning to Italy.  It feels like planning a journey home.

Stunning image of Etna’s Vineyards found on Flicker: ETNA VINEYARD ALFIO – CISTERNA FUORI by CIRO A. BIONDI

In the words of Ozzy Osbourne:

“Times have changed and times are strange

Here I come, but I ain’t the same

Mama I’m comin’ home.”