2016 Vintage Report — Casale Marchese (Lazio, Italy)

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In autumn 2015, at the end of the harvest season, the weather was particularly rainy whereas during the winter months we have observed only very few atmospheric disturbances, which was very unusual. In practice, if we consider the overall period from September 2015 to January 2016, in the center of Italy we had only 340 mm of rainfall against an average of 468 mm. However, the lack of rain during the winter months should not be seen as particularly alarming, …

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Fabulous Fizz for Festive Celebrations

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Franciacorta may not have the name recognition (and sales) of Prosecco, but Italy’s Franciacorta region produces her finest sparkling wines, comparable in quality to many Champagnes, and leagues ahead of Prosecco. Franciacorta is made using the methode champenoise and employs the same grape varieties used in Champagne, in contrast to Prosecco, which is made using Italian grapes and the less expensive Charmat process.  It is a relatively young sparkling producing area – the first bottling of Franciacorta was only in …

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92 Point Chianti that’s fit for a Don

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The wines from Chianti Rufina are very different from those of Chianti Classico, the best known subregion of Chianti (whose wines are easily identified by the black rooster logo on the neck label).  A cooler climate – Rufina is further north and east compared to Chianti Classico – explains, in part, why the wines from the two areas are so different, the wines of Rufina marked by an elegance and austerity that complements their black cherry fruitiness. An overview helps …

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Terranoble Named Chilean Wine Producer of 2016

Yesterday in their Annual Awards Banquet, International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC) named Vinedos Terranoble Chilean Wine Producer 2016, a huge acknowledgment for the direction and the quality of their wines. Congratulations to our friends at Terranoble. We have been working with Vinedos Terranoble since 1994. Over the years this winery has gone from strength to strength. Today they are widely regarded as the expert in Carmenere, Chile’s signature grape.

2016 Vintage Report – Prosecco

The harvest in 2016 in the hills of Conegliano Valdobbiadene and the Province of Treviso ended confirming the enthusiasm of predictions. In the hills of Prosecco Superiore it had never harvested so late from the beginning of the millennium. Not a minor detail for the quality of the grapes, since as of September 16th is a temperature drop was recorded, which occurred in particular during the night, which allowed the grapes to maintain a good level of acidity and freshness. …

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Carmenere – The Icon Wine of Chile

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Carmenere, the iconic grape of Chile has a fascinating history. It was originally an important component grape in the wines of Bordeaux, utilized for the richness in colour and flavour it imparted. Grown under ideal conditions, it produces a wine with the attractive meaty plumpness of Merlot and the gently herbaceous cedary notes of Cabernet Sauvignon. Prior to the great phylloxera infestation (plant louse) in Europe in the late 19th century, Carmenere was widely planted and paired with Cabernet Franc as …

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Vinous Magic from Montepeloso

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Suvereto, one of the warmer micro-climates on the Tuscan coast just south of Bolgheri, is an area that is relatively new to many. Despite its long winemaking and farming history going back as far as 1000 AD, the Suvereto DOC was only officially recognized in 2000. Set in the fertile Val di Comia, clay soils and proximity to the sea give an intensity to the flavours, producing ripe and direct wines typically made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and the local …

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Gilligan – A Taste of the Rhone from Down Under

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Many of the best wines of the world are blended wines.  Blending wine is both a culinary art and a scientific undertaking.  Blending wine improves the taste of the final product by bringing together varietals that complement one another, that provide balance and finesse and that help to define a particular style of wine.  Red Bordeaux wines for example are typically a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.  Not all Bordeaux red wines contain all …

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Gaia Agiorgitiko – NO Greek Tragedy!

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Gaia Wines, founded in 1994 by Leon Karatsalos and Yiannis Paraskevopoulos began production with 9,800 bottles of Thalassitis white wine, which quickly became established in Greece and abroad as an example of unique Santorini wines.  Today, Gaia operates two wineries: one in Koutsi, Nemea, which is the heart of the company, and one in Exo Gonia, Santorini. Gaia’s goal has been and still remains today to expand and highlight the quality characteristics of the native Greek grape varieties and to …

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Award winning Rioja…Bodegas Forcada

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In Spain, Rioja is synonymous with wine.  The denomination of origin spreads along some 54,000 hectares around three different Communities (La Rioja, Basque Country and Navarre).  The wines of Rioja are the most famous of Spain and its long tradition supports their fame. Rioja wines are a blend of several grape varieties.  There are 4 red varieties and 3 white varieties allowed in the Rioja DOC.  Tempranillo clearly takes centre stage, followed by Garnacha (Grenache) which is sometimes added for …

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