~ The “Golden Shell” of Fontodi’s Vineyards in Panzano ~ Classico. Classic. Adjective: “Serving as a standard of excellence enduring over time.” Little more need be said when discussing the venerable Fontodi estate or their prestigious wines that are simply…
Continue reading
~ The Entrance to Castellare ~ There are many great Tuscan villages in Chianti Classico that I happily visit repeatedly. Whether it’s Panzano and its crazy Maestro or the breathtaking charm of San Gimignano, it’s not hard to wander in…
Continue reading
The vast swath of land along the Tuscan coast known as the Maremma constitutes some of the best vineyard terroir for growing Bordelaise grapes in Italy. From Suvereto to Bolgheri to Scansano, the names of the estates are preceded…
Continue reading
~ The iconic Castello Banfi Castle, Poggio Alle Mura ~ The story of coastal Tuscany, the Maremma or Bolgheri as its interchangeably referred to, began with Sassicaia, but it’s not anywhere close to reaching its pinnacle. The region has been…
Continue reading
~ Montalcino ~ Precision. Singular focus. That is the drive at the Brunello wine estate of La Fiorita. In a time when most wineries in Montalcino produce, seemingly at a minimum, a Rosso di Montalcino and some form of IGT, La…
Continue reading
Evolution. The gradual development of something; especially from a simple to a more complex form. Perhaps no single word in the English language better describes the transformation from grape to wine and that’s true all the more when applying it…
Continue reading
~ Perugia is often called the “Portal of the Arts” ~ Umbria is unique and special. There is simply no denying that and frankly, if Tuscany didn’t exist, I’d argue that Umbria would be on everyone’s lips when discussing the…
Continue reading
~ Lambert Bridge Winery ~ Sonoma Valley was founded by a notable concentration of Italian immigrants who migrated to the area after settling in San Francisco. In short order, many quickly realized that the rural, picturesque area possessed all the…
Continue reading
~ Castello di Bossi, asleep for winter ~ Castello di Bossi is located in the southern half of the Chianti Classico production zone, in the Commune of Castelnuovo Berardenga. The Family Castle itself is located at the center of…
Continue reading
In 1950, two adjacent estates existed in Barberino Val d’Elsa in Northern Chianti Classico; Isole and Olena. Lying midway between Firenze and Siena, the properties were purchased and merged by the De Marchi family and today, the “Isole e…
Continue reading