#WiningHour Feature
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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,…
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Unveiling the Treasures of Bolgheri with Podere Sapaio
Bolgheri, a central Italian village and hamlet of Castagneto Carducci, located in the province of Livorno, Tuscany, is known for producing some of Italy’s finest and most prestigious wines. The Bolgheri region’s unique terroir, which includes a combination of favorable climate, soil, and proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea, contributes to the production of these exceptional wines. The Bolgheri area gained international recognition for its high-quality wines, specifically, their Super Tuscan wines, which are a blend of traditional Italian grape varieties, such as Sangiovese, with international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and/or Syrah.The region’s wines are often marked by their rich flavors, deep complexity, and ability to age gracefully.…
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A ‘Slow’ Wining Hour with Asolo Prosecco
Slow Wine is a movement that focuses specifically on wine production and consumption, advocating for a more thoughtful and sustainable approach to winemaking and wine appreciation. Each year, a Slow Wine Guide is published, highlighting wineries and regions that are in harmony with the philosophy. Slow Wine incorporates certain components, including an emphasis on quality, sustainability, local and artisanal production, transparency, wine education and collaboration. Asolo Prosecco, for example, is one region that truly embodies the Slow Wine Movement. Asolo Asolo, appropriately known as the Pearl of Treviso, is a picturesque town located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Asolo is also home to the elegant Asolo Prosecco wine appellation.…
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Slow Wine: A Journey Through Artisanal Craftsmanship
Slow Wine refers to a coalition that strives to emphasize quality over quantity and to promote sustainable and organic practices in winemaking. Slow Wine is a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship, encouraging consumers to savor and appreciate wine as more than just an alcoholic beverage, but as a reflection of culture, terroir, and tradition. Central to the ethos of the Slow Wine Coalition is the concept of terroir, or the unique combination of soil, climate, and geography that imbues each wine with its distinctive character. By honoring and respecting the terroir, winemakers produce wines that speak eloquently of their origin, enabling exploration of the nuances of different regions and grape varieties.…
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Wining Hour Feature: I Veroni Chianti Rùfina
Chianti, in Tuscany, Italy, is one of the most famous wine regions in the world. Most people are familiar with the rolling hills of Tuscany and the wine that historically came in a fiasco, the classic straw baskets that encased the wine to protect the thin glass bottles during shipping and to help them stand upright. This month, my “Wining Hour” features two elegant wines from Cantina I Veroni in Chianti Rùfina. The Territory: Chianti Rùfina The Chianti region spans across the Tuscan provinces of Arezzo, Florence, Pisa, Pistoia, Prato and Siena. The Chianti Classico Consorzio has recently adopted 11 new sub zones or UGAs: Castellina, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Gaiole, Greve,…