From the Vine to the Glass: The Journey of Cortonesi Wine
Occasionally, I meet a winemaker whose connection to their land and vines is reflected in every bottle they produce. Tommaso Cortonesi of Montalcino exemplifies this rare dedication to his craft. The third-generation winemaker is committed to tradition and quality, which is reflected in the wines he creates. A Family Legacy Rooted […]
A Tale of Two Terroirs: Barolo and Barbaresco
I recently had an opportunity to attend a Langhe Wine School presentation at 55 Seventy, led by Sandro Minella and Steven McDonald, MS. It was another lesson why Barolo and Barbaresco are considered so important in Italian wine. The presentation took us on a journey through these legendary wine regions’ rich […]
A Taste of Lugana
I recently had a chance to explore the region of Lugana and the unique and diverse Turbiana grape. This is a region of white wines from Italy’s north shores and the geography, climate, diversity and winemaking practices create refreshing wines known for diversity and minerality. I was invited […]
Birthday Wishes to the Man Who Set the Standard
This past weekend we celebrated the man who set the bar high for what it means to be a good father, a good husband and a good person – my father’s 80’s birthday. If you know Chuck Bianco, you find him to be a smart, witty, funny, kind person who is always interested […]
Sicily: A Wine Continent United
The process at Firriato Wine Company begins with terroir, the identity of the native varietals used, and a respect for nature. I was invited to meet with COO Federico Lombardo di Monte Iato who talked about how the vineyards are a mosaic of the “continent” of Sicily reflecting the identity of […]
Ricci Curbastro: Ancient Roots Combined with Tradition, History and Culture
About 800 years ago, the Ricci Curbastro family started growing grapes and a few decades ago they started producing great wines that would change the way sparkling wines are regarded on the world stage. I recently had the chance to travel virtually with the Ricci […]
Exploring the Heritage of Donnachiara
I virtually traveled to a new region and winery in Italy continuing the 2020 alternative to what was once to be an in-person trip earlier in the year. This time it was an introduction to Donnachiara Winery, located in the Irpinia appellation in the Campania region of southern Italy. The winery is […]
Navigating the Senses with Sensi Wines
Vineyard View from my Last Italy Trip When my long-awaited family trip to Italy was canceled last month due to the pandemic, I worked to recreate experiences from past trips to bring a little Italy to Dallas. So when Monique Soltani, Executive Producer and Host, of Wine Oh TV, reached out to ask […]
Ushering out the Decade with Stellar Holiday Samples
It’s crazy that 2019 has passed in a flash and a new year/decade has begun. Why not usher in a new decade with a round-up article of a few favorite samples over the holidays? Due to the weather, there is always a rush of samples shipped when the weather breaks in Texas, so it’s […]
Cantina del Vesuvio: My Italy Journey Continues with a Trip to the Lacryma Christi DOC
Cantina del Vesuvio: My Italy Journey Continues with a Trip to the Lacryma Christi DOC One of the many things I love about Italy is that there are so many local vineyards with microclimates that make the wines so unique. Cantina del Vesuvio is a perfect underscore of this point. The winery and vineyards are standing […]
Christopher Creek and Foppoli Wines: A Welcome Addition to the Dallas Market Coming to A Restaurant Near You
As a card carrying Italian family member (unfortunately from one family who made really awful wine as I post today from Rome after several days of Tuscan wine country), I love a successful Italian wine story. And that’s what you have from the Foppoli family. The Foppoli family has been making boutique wines in California […]
Growing Up Gaja: A Conversation with Gaia Gaja and Delving into Ca’ Marcanda with #winestudio
Me and Gaia Gaja If Italian royalty comes knocking, one answers the call with an appropriate curtsy. When I received the invitation to meet Gaia Gaja, the daughter of one of Italy’s most world-class families of wine, I was in awe. When I met Gaia and found how warm, open and engaging she is, I […]
Final 2017 Sample Update: The Top 30 That Turned My Head in this Tasting
It looks like I have a New Year Resolution and that’s to get a little faster about reporting on the samples that I’m sent. This time I reviewed more than 65 wines and today I’m going to talk about more than 30 that made the list. Note that these encompass a number of countries, price […]