Wine

Orselli, Saturno, Tachi, Locati, Arbini. These melodic names belonged to some of the early Italian settlers who found their way to eastern Washington in the 1800s. Most were experienced farmers. Some were skilled winemakers. Together, they forged an industry whose …

In Kai Yuan Road, nearby to where the old ferry leaves from Xiamen to Gulangyu Island, You Sheng, a man perpetually dressed head to toe in white, serves me a bowl of spicy sha cha noodle soup with fish balls …

On October 13th, San Antonio Winery, kicked off its 100th anniversary on its historic location in Downtown L.A. – once in the heart of the city’s Little Italy. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard, Mayor Garcetti’s Chief of Staff Ana Guerrero and L.A. …

The wine journey is often filled with things unexpected. Learning that at least some portion of Malvasia Nera in Tuscany is likely the popular Spanish variety known as Tempranillo issued me a measure of unexpected surprise. Indeed, a molecular study …

Piedmont Gavi Cortese: Between the Mountains and the Sea

One of the first things about Italian wine which I recall committing to memory is the quartet of grape varieties which could comprise the classic core blends for Valpolicella and Amarone wines, those being Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Molinara. But, …

Resting a splitting axe against my hip, I loosen the cowhide gloves. Two and one half cords of wood are split and stacked. The cool air and exercise have me feeling for a refreshing red. Inside, there is polenta cooking. …

When psychedelic rock great Jimi Hendrix wrote “Purple haze, all in my brain “, I am pretty sure that the distinctive pomegranate-toned foam of Gragnano, a frizzante red wine hailing from around its namesake town on the Sorrento Peninsula south …

Have you ever tried a bottle of Grignolino D’Asti wine?  It is relatively easy to find on a visit to Turin.  It complements many regional foods well, including the Tomini (small cheeses). On a beautiful, fresh and sunny day in …

Winemaker Nicola Cantoni has a handshake you remember. His grip communicates his sturdy frame, giving one the sense that he is rooted to the ground like his grape vines at Fattoria Fibbiano. One quickly understands Cantoni as a winemaker committed …