Nestled upon the idyllic hills above the ancient city of Verona, with the first light of dawn playing upon the verdant vineyards, the Agriturismo San Mattia offered more than rest; it promised a day of vinous exploration and serendipitous encounters. It was here, after a decade, that we found ourselves returning to the heart of …
In the realm of the oenophile, there exist moments when the essence of the grape transcends the mere act of tasting, becoming an ethereal experience that intertwines with culture, art, and the sensory tapestry of life itself. Such was the nature of my sojourn into the heart of Valpolicella, where viniculture is less an industry …
As the autumn leaves begin to paint the landscapes with a palette of auburn and gold, I find myself embarking on a journey—a pilgrimage of the senses, if you will, through the rolling vineyards of Italy. My adventure begins in the storied region of Valpolicella, a place where the vines whisper tales of tradition, passion, …
Winter hasn’t quite loosed his steely grip on the Chesapeake Bay area. Although this evening ended in a brilliant sunset with clear skies levelling golden rays through the still leafless trees in our back forest, it began with a cold, damp drizzle. But that was okay because Lisa pulled out some leftover cassoulet from the …
Read more “Landslide, or “This Much I Do Remember” (with a nod to Billy Collins)”
What is the most important ingredient in a bottle of wine? We could spend an entire evening debating the answer to that question. Of course the grapes account for much of that equation – varietal, viticulture, vinification – as does terroir, vintage effects (weather, etc.), fermentation choices, aging, etc. But I’m thinking of a much …
In my mind I’m immediately transported back to many evenings in Italy where the wine, the conversation, the poetry, the music all dissolved into a perfect starlit Tuscan sky.
Okay, I’ll admit it. I don’t always make the best decisions regarding wine purchases. I taste a lot of different wines from a lot of different wineries from all over the world, and I have rarely ever met a wine I didn’t like. Couple that with the idea that if I taste at a winery, …
It’s no secret that I love France’s Rhone Valley. From the northern villages where the vineyards are only a couple of acres and are on hillsides so steep they are almost impossible to cultivate, home to the wonderful Condrieu appellation to the southern Rhone where the Pope (Clement V, the first French Pope elected in …
The application of scientific analysis (including DNA testing) to the world’s wine culture has answered many questions about the true origin and history of varies vitis vinifera varietals used in modern winemaking. However, no amount of scientific data will ever fully replace or eliminate the role of romantic myth in explaining the origin of wines. …
Last weekend I had the distinct pleasure of being part of my nephew Jacob’s wedding. Always a time for celebration and happiness, weddings remind us that blending the fortunes, backgrounds, personalities, cultures, and families of two individuals frequently results in something more complex, interesting, and beautiful than could have been predicted by just imagining a …
Read more ““Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments . . . . “”