A Shared Stage for the Montepulciano Denomination in Tuscany at Carpineto

At its Montepulciano estate in the heart of Tuscany, Carpineto welcomed members of the press for a carefully curated Open House that unfolded into a day of dialogue, tasting, and quiet celebration. The atmosphere struck a natural balance of informal purposefulness, with guests moving easily among the tables of the producers, glasses in hand, conversations shifting from vineyard parcels to aging decisions. Winemaker and producer … Continue reading A Shared Stage for the Montepulciano Denomination in Tuscany at Carpineto

Amaracmand Wines: Authentic Flavors from Romagna’s Blue Clay

Tasting Amaracmand wines at Ristorante Atto in Florence offered a vivid expression of Romagna within the historic setting of Palazzo Portinari Salviati. Surrounded by Renaissance frescoes and architectural details, the sense of place extended seamlessly from the room into the glasses. Each wine reflected the slopes and soils of the Sorrivoli hills, brought to life through the words of owner Marco Vianello and his cousin … Continue reading Amaracmand Wines: Authentic Flavors from Romagna’s Blue Clay

From Vineyard to Olympic Stage: Crognolo and Anthium Among Italy’s Olympic Wines

On the occasion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, taking place from 6 to 22 February, Casa Italia becomes a showcase of Italian excellence that extends beyond sport into the realm of culture, craftsmanship, and wine. Among the 26 labels selected for the official wine list, curated to embody the prestige and diversity of Made in Italy, two wines stand out for their … Continue reading From Vineyard to Olympic Stage: Crognolo and Anthium Among Italy’s Olympic Wines

Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei

When Castrese Loffredo, owner of Tenuta Loffredo, parked the car and gestured toward the highest point of the terraced hillside, our destination for the tasting, the prospect felt daunting. After a long day spent sampling the current vintage of wines from across sun-drenched Campania, the climb seemed like a final test of endurance. Yet what initially appeared challenging soon revealed itself as a necessary and … Continue reading Tenuta Loffredo: Terraced Vineyards and Volcanic Wines of Campi Flegrei

From Sweden’s Coast to a Tuscan Table: The Strandåkra Vingård Sparkling Wine Story

Some of the best wine stories begin not in vineyards, but between friends. When a friend of mine, Katarina Andersson of Grapevine Adventures, a Swedish wine writer, came to visit me in Tuscany for a few relaxed days, we both knew that “relaxing” would inevitably involve opening bottles, sharing impressions, and talking endlessly about wine. When she stepped off the train, her bag held an … Continue reading From Sweden’s Coast to a Tuscan Table: The Strandåkra Vingård Sparkling Wine Story

Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines

Just south of Padua, the Colli Euganei (Euganean Hills) rise gently from the plains, their cone-shaped profiles shaped by ancient volcanic activity and centuries of careful human stewardship. These hills form one of Italy’s most quietly compelling wine regions, where modern red wines combine history, character, and remarkable drinkability. Grapes and Terroir The identity of the Colli Euganei is inseparable from its volcanic origins and … Continue reading Italy’s Colli Euganei: Volcanic Origins and the Rise of Contemporary Red Wines

Savoring Piedmont: Monferrato Casalese’s Wine and White Truffles

Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage site alongside Langhe and Roero, charms with its vineyard-covered hills and medieval villages, but its true allure lies in its wines and truffles. Recently, the region came alive at the 58th International White Truffle Fair “Trifola d’Or” in Murisengo, where the rich aroma of truffles mingled with the crisp autumn air and the clink of glasses filled with local wines. … Continue reading Savoring Piedmont: Monferrato Casalese’s Wine and White Truffles

Tuscan Wines from Tenuta Licinia in Lucignano: The Beauty of Flavor in Every Soil

Tenuta Licinia sits quite literally behind my house, yet it took a visit with James Marshall-Lockyer to fully grasp the depth of thought behind this small but serious Tuscan estate. Walking through the vineyards with him and his dogs, it quickly became clear that Licinia is not just a place where wine is made, but where ideas are tested, refined, and translated into the glass. … Continue reading Tuscan Wines from Tenuta Licinia in Lucignano: The Beauty of Flavor in Every Soil

Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange

Tasting Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023 offers a clear window into the philosophy of Château Grand’Grange. The grapes come from south and south-east facing vineyards at around 300 meters on granitic sandy soils, ideal for 100% Gamay. All harvesting is done by hand, preserving freshness and precision. Fermentation lasts about two weeks, using a mix of 50% destemmed fruit and 50% whole clusters, with gentle punch-downs … Continue reading Beaujolais-Villages La Cascade 2023: A Taste of Château Grand’Grange

Vinchio Vaglio and the Heart of Monferrato: Wine, Culture, and Culinary Heritage

Monferrato unfolds like a living canvas of vineyards, rolling hills, and sunlit or often in autumn, magical with the nebbia when it sets in the slopes , where centuries of history meet human devotion. Here, every corner tells a story—of resilient growers, of noble families, of kitchens where tradition and innovation coexist. My journey through this region was anchored by the Cantina Cooperativa Vinchio Vaglio, … Continue reading Vinchio Vaglio and the Heart of Monferrato: Wine, Culture, and Culinary Heritage

Grosjean Vins: 400 Years of Heroic, Winemaking in Italy’s Aosta Valley

High in the Aosta Valley, where dramatic slopes meet crisp alpine air, the Grosjean family has cultivated vines since the early 1600s. Their story is one of heritage shaped by passion, with each generation caring for the same mountain soils. The modern rise of the estate began in the 1960s when Grandfather Dauphin committed fully to winemaking and bottled the family’s first Ciliegiolo. Its warm … Continue reading Grosjean Vins: 400 Years of Heroic, Winemaking in Italy’s Aosta Valley

Austria in Layers: How ÖTW Defines the Character of Its Vineyards

From the Danube Valley to Burgenland and beyond, a tasting of 560 ÖTW Erste Lagen wines reveals how Austria’s vineyards express their landscapes, histories, and identities in every glass. Austria’s wine country may seem small on the map, but it contains worlds within it. From river valleys carved millions of years ago to sunlit terraces of loess and limestone, each landscape shapes its own story … Continue reading Austria in Layers: How ÖTW Defines the Character of Its Vineyards

Meet Trebbiano Spoletino: Montefalco’s White Counterpoint to Sagrantino

In a land long celebrated for the power of its reds, a once-forgotten white grape is quietly reclaiming its place at the table. Trebbiano Spoletino, Montefalco’s luminous counterpart to the mighty Sagrantino, enchants with its elegance, versatility, and depth. Though its name recalls the ubiquitous Trebbiano Toscano, the two share no kinship — modern DNA studies confirm that Spoletino is a variety entirely its own, … Continue reading Meet Trebbiano Spoletino: Montefalco’s White Counterpoint to Sagrantino

Gambero Rosso 2026 Italian Restaurant Preview: Abbamele, Uma, La Trota & Il Vizio at Monte Vibiano

In anticipation of the Gambero Rosso 2026 Restaurant Guide, an exclusive preview event brought together some of Italy’s most acclaimed chefs and wineries for a curated tasting experience. The evening featured signature dishes from Osteria Abbamele, Uma, La Trota, and Il Vizio, each thoughtfully paired with Monte Vibiano’s organically certified wines. Guests were invited to experience a dialogue between culinary innovation and terroir-driven wines, where … Continue reading Gambero Rosso 2026 Italian Restaurant Preview: Abbamele, Uma, La Trota & Il Vizio at Monte Vibiano

Vini delle Coste: Wines Shaped by Earth, Sea, and Story

“Unity is strength.” That phrase perfectly captured the spirit of Vini delle Coste, which took place on March 30–31, 2025, at the Real Collegio di Lucca. The event brought together more than 80 winemakers from across Italy and welcomed over 1,200 visitors, including industry professionals, wine lovers, and international journalists. Created and organized by Alessandra Guidi and produced by Event Service, this debut edition emphasized … Continue reading Vini delle Coste: Wines Shaped by Earth, Sea, and Story