Sangiovese plays the starring role in many of Tuscany’s most revered reds:  Chianti and all its derivatives, Brunello, Vino Nobile, and even Carmignano.  Then of course, there are the Super Tuscans.  There are lots of great Super Tuscans based on…

Zinfandel shines best when it’s grown in the Sonoma Valley and even more so from the enclave within, Dry Creek Valley.  With a comforting Pacheri Pasta with roasted cherry tomato sauce and fresh asparagus, topped with softly melting Cacio di…

Piemonte is one of the greatest wine regions in Italy and indeed, in all the world.  What makes it so special, is that the wines produced there are unique. They are distinct to that place, and are not grown anywhere…

I’ve long loved Dolcetto.   Years back, I discovered this wine after a sort of “Chianti Fatigue”.   Dolcetto was bright, fruity, slightly smokey, and a bit mysterious.  It was very food friendly, and offered a slightly less expensive ($12-$15) change of pace…

Tasting this wine brought back memories of that old quote from the movie, History of the World – Part I.  “Nice….nice….not THRILLING….but nice.  You just can’t like every wine.  This bland red, the 2008 Tenuta di Castiglioni,  from Frescobaldi  (have…