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Wining Hour Feature: Tenuta Cucco, A Premier Langhe Wine Estate
Tenuta Cucco, located in the lovely landscape of Serralunga d’Alba, within Italy’s renowned Barolo wine region in Piedmont, is an estate celebrated for its dedication to producing exceptional wines. Tenuta Cucco’s origins date back to the late 19th century, when the estate was established. The estate’s name, “Cucco,” meaning “peak” or “summit,” fittingly reflects its elevated position and its commitment to continuous growth and innovation. With its storied history, sustainable practices, and exceptional wines, Tenuta Cucco is a true symbol of quality production. Over the years, Tenuta Cucco has passed through the hands of several prominent families, each contributing to its legacy. The current owners, the Rossi Cairo family, acquired…
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Ronchi di Castelluccio Winery: Reviving the Tradition of Romagna Wines
Ronchi di Castelluccio Winery, in the scenic hills of Modigliana, the heart of Romagna, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Italian winemaking. Founded in the 1970s, Ronchi di Castelluccio was established during a period when Romagna wines were not as widely celebrated. However, thanks to the stewardship of brothers Aldo and Paolo Rametta, the winery saw a significant revival in 2020. Although initially from the Emilia Romagna region, the Rametta brothers lived in the U.S. and Switzerland and brought their international perspective to wine-making. While they work to maintain the winery’s traditional methods, they also infuse innovative practices to enhance quality and sustainability. I was able to…
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Faenza, Italy: Celebrated for Ceramics, Culture and Cuisine
Faenza is a charming, picturesque town located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, renowned globally for its rich historical heritage, exceptional ceramics and tin-glazed pottery. Nestled between Bologna and Florence, Faenza offers a unique blend of ancient history and artistic tradition. Faenza (known in French as faience) has ancient origins, dating back to the Roman era. It was known as Faventia during Roman times. Faenza flourished during the medieval and Renaissance periods. Its historical importance is evident in the town’s architecture and cultural landmarks. Speaking about culture, the world-famous Museum of Ceramics or Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche (MIC) stands as a testament to this heritage, housing a vast collection of…
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Poggio Della Dogana: Pure Romagna on the Palate
Poggio della Dogana Winery, located in Faenza in the province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, combines tradition with innovation to produce exceptional wines that capture the essence of their terroir. The winery was acquired back in 2017 by brothers Aldo and Paola Rametta (who also own Ronchi de Castellucio). Here, their focus is on the most representative varieties of the Romagna territory, specifically Albana and Sangiovese. Location, location, location. The vineyard’s territory and location play a crucial role in the quality of Poggio della Dogana’s wines. Situated in an area (on the hills between Castrocaro Terme and Brisighella) in between the sea and the mountains, with ideal climatic conditions and soil composition,…
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Discovering a Mosaic of Vineyards with Assovini Sicilia
As an Italian wine lover, I enjoy Italian wines from North to South. Each region has its charm and character. Sicily is no different. However, it is remarkable to know that Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean and the largest region in Italy. Moreover, this southern region boasts a variety of landscapes and climates that lead to a variety of soils. In fact, Sicily has soils that range from a composition of lava and calcareous rock to clay, basalt and tuffaceous rock. There are more than 60 grape varieties grown in Sicily, including Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Frappato, Nerello Cappuccio and Perricone for indigenous red wines and Catarratto,…
