This Tuscany gem is a blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), and Merlot (25%). The drinking window for this is 10–15 years. Again, let’s open it and see if it’s still holding together. This is 18 years old. This was Ruffino’s ‘Super Tuscan’ offering with a reputation for being refined, polished tannins, elegant, withContinue reading “Ruffino Modus 2008- an excellent Italian to invite home.”
Category Archives: Italian Wines
Blue Zones and Drinking Wine – Can drinking wine make you live longer?
The short answer is yes, research tells us that 1 – 2 glasses a day is the right amount to outlive your non-drinking friends. The 5 Blue Zones include: Nicoya in Costa Rica, Sardinia, Ikaria in Greece, Okinawa in Japan, and Loma Linda in California. There are many commonalities but the two that, I believe,Continue reading “Blue Zones and Drinking Wine – Can drinking wine make you live longer?”
Ruffino Modus 2008
This Tuscany gem is a blend of Sangiovese 50%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, and Merlot 25% Drinking window on this was 10 – 15 years. Again, let’s open it and see if it’s still holding together. This is 18 years old. This was Ruffino’s ‘Super Tuscan’ offering with a reputation for being refined, polished tannins, elegant,Continue reading “Ruffino Modus 2008”
Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the historic Pasqua Winery, located in Verona, in northeastern Italy. Innovation is at the core of their philosophy, as well as focusing on sustainable practices with an eye on the future. In 2024, they received the Innovator of the Year award for 2023 by Wine Enthusiast magazine. They areContinue reading “Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019”
Is it Primitivo or is it Zinfandel (or Zin as it’s come to be known as)?
Origins- Croatia. Primitivo originally comes from an indigenous Croatian grape called crljenak kaštelansk (Kjell-nak Cas-tell-lansky)- try and pronounce that after your second glass. Before emerging as a single varietal, it was mainly used as a blending grape to increase the overall alcohol content. It’s not uncommon to be up around 16% from both Italy andContinue reading “Is it Primitivo or is it Zinfandel (or Zin as it’s come to be known as)?”
Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019- 100 Years in the making.
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the historic Pasqua Winery, located in Verona, in northeastern Italy. Innovation is at the core of their philosophy, as well as focusing on sustainable practices with an eye on the future. In 2024, they received the Innovator of the Year award for 2023 by Wine Enthusiast magazine. TheyContinue reading “Famiglia Pasqua Amarone Della Valpolicella 2019- 100 Years in the making.”
Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2020 – excellent release from volcanic soil.
The vineyards for this impressive wine are perched on the southern side of the largest volcano in Europe- Mount Etna, planted on black soils at an altitude of 600 – 750 meters. Diego and Alberto Cusumano hold just over 500 hectares of Estate Vineyards, producing 3 million bottles annually- not bad for a vineyard establishedContinue reading “Alta Mora Etna Bianco 2020 – excellent release from volcanic soil.”
Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2020- in a word, delicious.
Bertani, a name synonymous with Amarone’s brings you this Ripasso Valpolicella. A Ripasso is considered a ‘baby Amarone’ given its juice is passed over the skins of Amarone grapes, adding richness with increased depth and complexity while still retaining the freshness and vibrancy, so characteristic of Valpolicella. This is an excellent example. This is aContinue reading “Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso 2020- in a word, delicious.”
Have you ever tasted a Lagrein wine from Italy?
Alois Lageder Conus 2016 Riserva Some background … Lagrein is native to the valleys of Southern Tyrol, in northern Italy and the first mention of the ‘rott’ or red Lagrein dates back to 1526 and most likely originates in the Val Lagarina in Trentino in Northern Italy, as the name suggests. DNA testing reveals itContinue reading “Have you ever tasted a Lagrein wine from Italy?”
Have you tasted a Zibibbo? – drink like Cleopatra.
Tonnino Zibibbo 2021 This 100% organic Zibibbo is from Sicily, planted on soil rich in limestone, sand, and organic elements. It is known predominately as a sweet wine that falls into the Muscat family and is also known as the ‘Muscat of Alexandria’. This is a dry version and infinitely drinkable- be warned. It isContinue reading “Have you tasted a Zibibbo? – drink like Cleopatra.”
Vine to Table 