Italy

Reviews June 7, 2011

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese, Umbria – Italy

Grapes 100% Sangiovese [San-joe-vay-say] The name Sangiovese is thought to come from Sanguis Jovis or “Blood of Jove” (Jove being the Roman name for Jupiter), indicating that wines were made from Sangiovese grapes even back in Roman times. Facts Di Majo Norante Sangiovese has been an easy-drinking Italian go-to of mine for quite some time now. Considering how many bottles I’ve popped open over the last few years, I thought a review was warranted. If…

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Facts May 25, 2011

The Difference Between Chianti, Chianti Classico and Chianti Riserva

First-off, I don’t know where the above photo was taken, but once I find out I’m booking a plane ticket!!! So last night, I found myself hosting an informal wine class for a discerning group of tasters here in Jacksonville. The theme of the night was Tuscany, and so I decided to put a heavy emphasis on Chianti, as it goes without saying that it’s Italy’s most famous wine (possibly their most famous export). As…

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News May 19, 2011

Gary Vaynerchuk and his Daily Grape

I can only guess that the majority of people who navigate toward my humble little website (thanks by the way!) have never heard of Gary Vaynerchuk. Well, for starters that’s him in the picture. Spitting. Let me give you a very quick background on Gary: – Born in Belarus in 1975. – Immigrated to the U.S. in 1978, where he already started showing entrepreneurial tendencies trading baseball cards as a kid . – Gary’s father…

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Reviews May 11, 2011

After-Work Bottle of Damilano Lecinquevigne Barolo 2004

Grape 100% Nebbiolo, pronounced as it reads, neh-bee-oh-low. Nebbiolo is most certainly the king of red wines coming out of the Piedmont region of Italy. It isn’t debatable. It’s a fact. The name Nebbiolo is believed to stem from the Italian word nebbia, meaning fog. Supposedly fog usually sets into the region during grape harvest.   Facts Barolo’s typically aren’t your everyday after-work gluggers, but last night I was feeling fancy! Why wait for a…

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News March 18, 2011

Taking the Barone Fini Pinot Grigio #TasteChallenge

Everyone likes to share a bottle of wine with a few friends, but Twitter has taken this to a new level! The Wine Twits have created a Taste Challenge involving the Italian Barone Fini Pinot Grigio and another leading Pinot Grigio that retails at twice the price. Anyone may join producer Giovanni Bonmartini-Fini live on March 24, 2011 at 8PM EST to blind taste and to share preferences during a Twitter powered virtual tasting.  It’s…

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Reviews January 28, 2011

Riondo Prosecco NV

  Grape Prosecco di Valdobbiadene [Val-do-bi-ad-en-ay]   Facts Prosecco is made using a much simpler method than true Champagne. Instead of fermenting in the bottle (as Champagne is), Prosecco grapes are fermented in large stainless steel vats. There are a couple of reasons behind this; firstly it’s cheaper, secondly if the wine was made in the same way as Champagne (and subsequently aged in the bottle), the wine would lose a lot of its freshness,…

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Pairings October 28, 2010

Shellfish Paella with Fregola Paired with La Cala Sella and Mosca Vermentino di Sargegna 2008

This recipe was a nightmare! Don’t get me wrong, the taste was near perfection and I would challenge any chef to rival it. But as far as cost and preparation time goes? Nightmare! Any recipe with 21 ingredients is a recipe for a pain in the arse! Ok now that I have that off my chest, on to the pairing… I’ve been craving good Paella for a while now. I say that because good Paella…

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