~ Cantina Avignonesi ~ Long a stalwart producer of fine wines in the medieval hill town of Montepulciano,  Avignonesi crafts excellent wines at varying price points.  Styles vary slightly from wine to wine,  but the quality is never compromised.  Today’s…

~ The Mate Winery, Surrounded by Vines and Olive Groves ~ The Mate winery is about as picturesque as any scenic Tuscan vista.  These vistas seem to extend beyond terra to the artistic labels that adorn the winery’s wares.  Just…

~ Panoramic View of the Piaggia Estate ~   On these very pages over the last few years I have extolled the virtues of the little known DOCG appellation called Carmignano.  Equally, I have reviewed past vintages of today’s wine,…

~ The Gigantic Oak Tree that Dominates the Campo alla Cerqua Vineyard ~ Or perhaps I should have said “Rubini e Diamanti”?   Recently we put two newly released Umbrian wines to the test; one rosso and one bianco.  The wines…