Chianti is likely the entry-point for Americans to begin learning about this complicated country of 3,000 different grape varietals. It’s on these hallowed Tuscan grounds that wine was not necessarily invented (the Turks lay that claim) but quite possibly where it was first perfected. They follow ... Read More »
Search Results for "chianti"
Wine review: Castello d’Albola 2007 Chianti Classico
Chianti is one of the classic food wines of Italy. In this wine-soaked country, regional foods are designed to pair with regional wines. [Read about my foodie trip to Italy). They’re crafty that way. Like Garanimals back in the day. In Tuscany, the locals sip Chianti, Chianti Classico and Chianti ... Read More »
Wine review: Santa Christina 2009 Chianti Superiore
Tuscany is home to Chianti, likely the most famous wine region on the planet. The straw baskets have been discarded for sleek bottles and modern winemaking went mainstream here about 20-25 years ago. Santa Cristina, made by Italy’s Antinori wine family, is most definitely part of this modern ... Read More »
Chianti and Tuscany’s New World: Italy is changing
Lately, and I have no idea why, all things Italian intrigue me. It’s a passionate country with rich history and a population who adores food. What’s not to like? But their complicated (and archaic) wine laws confound me. Grape varieties number in the thousands. Wine can be labeled by region or ... Read More »
Melini 2006 Chianti Classico Isassi
Melini has had over three hundred years to perfect Italy’s Chianti. This single-vineyard wine is über dry and medium-bodied with dusty cherry, strong brewed tea, ripe plum, earthy mushroomy-ness and plenty of acidity. Definitely traditional in style, but tomato-based food brings out the fruit.3.5 ... Read More »
Castello di Volpaia 2004 Chianti Classico Riserva
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Acid Trip: Food falls for Chianti in a big way
As Riesling is to whites, Chianti is to reds – a friend to share meals with. Italians, of course, have known this for years, but in typically insular American fashion it’s taken us a gazillion years to get the message. In our defense, I must say the better Chiantis didn’t
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Wine Grape Variety List
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Wine review: Alta Mora 2014 Rosso Mt. Etna Sicily
On the wine geekiness scale, the Alta Mora 2014 Rosso ranks high. Made from a decidedly geeky, native grape called Nerello Mascalese and grown on the slopes of Mt. Etna in Sicily, this robust, well-made red wine checks all the boxes for one-upmanship at a bring-your-own party. The Cusumano family ... Read More »
Spicy sausage and garbanzo bean stew recipe (weeknight meal)
With a couple of fresh items and a list of pantry-clearing ingredients, this spicy sausage and garbanzo stew recipe comes together in about 30 minutes. You can substitute a bunch of things in this recipe — leftover roast chicken for the sausage (or mild sausage instead), cannelloni beans for ... Read More »
The new (old) wines of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
It ain’t easy being the underdog. When you have Chianti and Brunello as your big brothers and Super Tuscans as your sophisticated sister, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano has to do a lot to get attention. Add to that some pretty tough Italian regulations about growing, blending and a helluva long ... Read More »
Thanksgiving wine tips and recipes
It’s turkey time again and let the wine buying begin. Wine enhances any meal, but especially this one. Sharing a bottle, sharing memories and sharing stories about the year that just passed are always better over a glass of vino. Since everyone’s table looks different across the country, ... Read More »