Category: Wine
Can We Get A Sustainable Recovery of Travel and Tourism?
January 13, 2023
The concept of travel has gone through a fundamental change due to the last few years of the pandemic. We are talking before and after the pandemic a bit like BC and AC. 2019 feels like an eternity ago when things were totally different compared to now. The pandemic has indeed had an out-of-the-ordinary impact on travel reaching the lowest point in over 25 years in 2020. In fact, we have to go back to WWII to find a similar unsteady situation for the travel industry. Last year saw a steady recovery for travel and tourism, reaching almost 60% of… read more
The Pyramid of Quality for Italian Wines.
December 30, 2022
Let's face it, it is never easy to navigate the world of wine with labels. The various traditional mentions that characterize wines are organized in such a way as to constitute a veritable "Pyramid of Quality." "Since 2008, this has been overlaid with the European Classification, with the aim of harmonizing national classifications and those relating to different commodities into a rationally homogeneous system." (cit. quattrocalici.it) Table Wines (TDCs). At the base of the pyramid we then find the Table Wines (VdT). On the label the production lot, the volume of the container, the bottler's data, the place of bottling… read more
Very Unusual and Fascinating Ways To Age Wine
December 19, 2022
Wine is a fascinating beverage but even more so when it is connected to a captivating story about its aging process. In general, wine is matured and aged in a winery or wine cellar where the environment is silent, without vibrations, and is set to a constant temperature. Well, some wine producers stress that music can heighten aging conditions. But what about other environments for the aging of wine? In recent years, several wine producers have started to experiment with aging their wines in the sea, in the lake, in the mountains, or, more historically, on the roof. Is it a… read more
Personal Chef Elena Morlacchi Creates A Very Special Recipe for Thanksgiving
November 18, 2022
There is less than a week to Thanksgiving which is one of the most - if not the most - important holidays in the US. This year, it is predicted to be a Thanksgiving like no other after more than two years of the pandemic that restricted the possibility for families to meet up and celebrate. In Italy, where there are a lot of American ex-pats, Thanksgiving is also celebrated widely. We asked the personal chef Elena Morlacchi, who was one of the contestants in Masterchef 11 in Italy, to create a Thanksgiving recipe for us. We will then do… read more
The Harvest of 2022 Has Exceeded the Expectations Despite Climate Adversity
October 6, 2022
The harvest of 2022 has been named a vintage beyond expectations by the Italian producers themselves. The reports from Alto Adige in the north to Sicily in the south all say the same things, i.e. that the climate crisis has not affected the quality of the grapes too much. However, we are now in an era where we have to get used to extreme weather conditions and learn how to navigate them. At Fattoria di Montemaggio, the harvest is still going on and we are going to look closer at the conditions and results so far. We will also make… read more
How Yeast Is Essential For The End-Result of Wine
August 31, 2022
Wild or cultured yeast. What is the deal with the type of yeast used for the fermentation of grapes? Is wild fermentation just a risky business or is the use of cultured yeast too standardized? Is there a difference in the end result? Some say there is not while others claim that wild yeast is the only way. Today, the discussion is more alive than ever with the concepts of organic, biodynamic, regenerative viticulture, low-intervention winemaking, and what else, not to use the over-hyped word “natural”. Let us take a closer look at yeast strains and their importance for winemaking.… read more
How the Return of Flavescenza Dorata Threatens the Vineyards in Tuscany
July 12, 2022
Flavescenza dorata is wreaking havoc in many vineyards in Italy again. Even though climate change is not the only reason behind the return of this disease, the change in climate is affecting us all more and more leading to tropical-like weather with severe heat waves, drought followed by torrential rains, vine diseases, and much more. The “rules of winemaking” are changing, vineyards are being planted at high altitudes and in northern countries, and the European Union now allows the use of hybrid grapes to come to terms with climate change. (See the article Meet Four Women at the Forefront of… read more
Chianti vs Chianti Classico DOCG: Everything you need to know in a nutshell
July 8, 2022
How many times at our favorite Wine Shop have we paused to read labels looking for the perfect Sangiovese straight from our beloved Tuscany and utter confusion has taken over us? Sangiovese is the main grape of Chianti and its subregions. Where everything started Native to central Italy (specifically the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines), this red grape combines high acidity with medium tannins, as well as balanced flavors and aromas of red cherries, earthy notes and blood. It is grown in areas with a native soil mainly called galestro (similar to stony marl and schist), where the climate offers cool nights… read more
Radda nel bicchiere - A True Folk Wine Festival in Radda
June 2, 2022
This spring has been a sort of rebirth of life in the world in general, and in the wine world in particular. After two years of long periods of isolation due to the pandemic, the last few months have shown an eagerness to recuperate time lost as quickly as possible. In Italy, it started with the Chianti Classico Collection at the end of March (see further our article Chianti Classico Collection 2022 Gave Positive Vibes to the Wine World) and then continued then with Vinitaly, Anteprima Chiaretto, Anteprima Sagrantino, Cantine Aperte and Radda nel bicchiere, and many other events. There… read more
Chianti Classico Collection 2022 Gave Positive Vibes to the Wine World
April 1, 2022
The 29th Edition of the Chianti Classico Collection just closed its doors the other week. The Chianti Classico Collection (#CCC22) is the yearly trade event that is organized to taste a preview of the wine vintages that have or will be released for the current year. It is two days of tastings and masterclasses to better get to know the area, the wines, and the producers of Chianti Classico. What was so special about Chianti Classico Collection 2022? Let’s find out more. Chianti Classico Collection 2022 - A Reset After the Pandemic The Chianti Classico Collection 2022 was a breath… read more