-
Oh my, More Maremma Please!
I had the pleasure of attending a Master Class and Wine Lunch sponsored by Il Consorzio Tutela Vini Della Maremma Toscana. This event was special for several reasons. For one, it was the first in-person tasting event I actually attended in over a year, due to the pandemic. It was fantastic to venture out, to see familiar faces and to learn, sip and socialize with others. Moreover, I was able to taste wines and learn more about a favorite wine region-Tuscany. In particular, the focus was on the pristine land, the Tuscan Maremma. Although it’s the Tuscan Maremma, Maremma is located between Toscana and Lazio, and the borders include the…
-
Taste & Talk: Celebrating 10 Years of Te Pā Wines
When one thinks of Sauvignon Blanc, they may think of the green-skinned white wine grape that originated in France. However, i think of Sauvignon Blanc and New Zealand as being practically synonymous, as this is the varietal that put New Zealand on the wine map. One winery that is known for producing stellar Sauvignon Blanc in the region is te Pā Winery. te Pā is based at the top of the South Island in the beautiful Marlborough wine region of Aotearoa-New Zealand. In advance of #SauvBlancDay, #WiningHourChat sat down with Mikela, the marketing manager for te Pā Wines. We are always happy to have a taste of New Zealand and learn what’s new with te Pā. Here…
-
Wining Hour Feature: Eremo Tuscolano Frascati Superiore
This month, I am featuring a delightful Italian white wine from Eremo Tuscolano in Frascati or Lazio. Frascati is both a city and a commune in the Lazio (Metropolitan City of Rome) region of Italy. The ancient town of Tusculum, located south-east of Rome, is modern day Frascati. Tusculum was well known during the ancient Roman Republic and the Roman Empire as a luxurious resort area for the wealthy Romans. “But still closer to Rome than the mountainous country where these cities lie, there is another ridge, which leaves a valley (the valley near Algidum) between them and is high as far as Mount Albanus. It is on this chain that Tusculum is situated, a city with no…
-
Peering Into the Pink Wines of Puglia
Rosé all day. While this phrase is catchy, it really is the sentiment shared by many. Although the pink wines known as rosé are very popular these days, rosé is one of the oldest types of wine made. Rosé wines are produced from a wide variety of grapes and can be found in just about every region of the world…including Italy. While there are a few regions noted for rosé, Puglia is one of Italy’s major producers of rosé. In fact, Puglia serves as a benchmark for Italian rosato or rosé. Rosé wine production was originally referred to in the 19th century as lacrimas, or delicate, fragrant tears of juice.…
-
Wining Hour Feature: Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino
This month, I am featuring an Italian red wine from Arnaldo Caprai in Umbria. Although Umbria is the fifth smallest region in Italy, and one of the least populated, it should not be underestimated. In fact, Umbria, which is located in south central Italy bordering Tuscany, Marche and Lazio, is known as il cuore verde d’Italia, or the “Green Heart of Italy.” It is referred to as Italy’s green heart due to its landlocked position, without a coastline or common border. Nevertheless, Umbria, as the heart, moves us in so many ways. One of these ways is with its indigenous grapes, like Sagrantino. Sagrantino, with history dating back to the…
