Italy

• Abruzzo
• Alto Adige
• Apulia
• Basilicata
• Calabria
• Campagna
• Emilia-Romagna
• Friuli-Venezia Giulia
• Liguria
• Lombardia
  • Franciacorta
• Marche
• Molise
• Piedmont (Piemonte)
• Sicily
  • Mt. Etna
• Trentino-Alto Adige
• Tuscany
  • Brunello di Montalcino
  • Chianti
• Umbria
• Valle d'Aosta
• Veneto
  • Prosecco
  • Soave
• Sardinia

This is 100% Certified Organic Nero Mascalese grapes from Sicily grown in sandy soils in western Sicily.  A really great value.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is very nice with cherries, black cherries, slight smoke and slight herbal note (chervil?).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has black cherry fruit with underlying char.  Also a bit of pepperiness.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Somewhat like a mythical blend of Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.  This was a real crowd pleaser among friends I served it to.  Drinking quite well on its own, this would work great with pas

This is a white wine made in Sicily from Certified Organic Grillo (pronounced GREE-lo) grapes at a Co-Op.  12.5% ABV.  Golden in color with a very slight copper hue, clear and bright.  The nose is nice, minerals, quince, and a very slight minty note.  Slightly viscous with a medium body.  On the palate, the minerality comes thru along with lemons, and quince.  There is a slightly bitter note (lemon pith?) on the finish.  The finish is of moderate length.  Overall, this is a very refreshing wine that was quite a  hit with a few friends I shared the remains of the bottle with.  It got better

Great showing for this.  In a really nice place right now.  Deep garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, spice, dust and tea leaves.  Medium to full bodied.  Great acidity.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit with forest floor underneath.  Long finish.  This is delicious but also has plenty of complexity.  It is pretty close to peak but should provide another ten to twelve years of great drinking.  A nice match with pasta with a meat based tomato sauce.  

From the heart of Prosecco country in northeasy Italy, this is a serious Prosecco.  Made from 85% Glera with the remaining 15% other varietals.  Pale silvery/gold in color.  Lots of smaller bubbles.  The nose has minerals and Vernors soda (sort of carmelized ginger and seltzer).  It has a bigger presence.  Ginger and mineral notes, slightly candied.  Not tart, but well balanced.  Almost dry.  Long finish.  This drinks well on its own but will work better with food.  Fried chicken would be a nice choice.  A real crowd pleaser.  

This is a blend of 85% Glera and 15% Pinot Nero grapes made in an extrad dry style (which means a bit sweeter than Brut).  Pale pink in color with lots of smaller bubbles.  On the nose, there are cranberries, and rhubarb with some Fuji apple notes.  The palate turns more to cherries with good acidity.  Long finish.  This is pretty much dry.  Very nice on its own, it will work well with lighter salads.  Drink over the next couple years.  

This is a Prosecco from the Friuli region in northeast Italy.  It is made from 85% Glera and 15% other grapes including Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay. Silvery green/gold in color.  Some medium bubbles make a nice frothy head.  On the nose, limes, minerals and lanolin along with a bit of sweaty earthiness give it a nice nose.  On the palate, the fruit shifts to a more tart green apple note.  Good acidity.  Nice frothy mouth-feel.  This has a sweet and sour quality that is enjoyable.  Very food friendly.  This drinks well on its own, but  will work very well with salty or fried foods.  

Drinking well at age 17.  Pop and pour.  Deep ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight black cherries, and some wet tea leaves.  Medium to full bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this has a nice texture.  Cherries and black cherries over forest floor with some roasted herbs.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  Pretty much at peak.  This drinks well on its own but will work better with food.  A nice match would be Rosticciana (Tuscan pork ribs with rosemary).  

Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with nice cherries.  Some forest floor.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Light tannins.  Black cherry fruit.  Long finish with some anise notes.  Drinking well but will improve from here.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  A nice wine with Pappa al pomodoro (a tomato bread soup).  

Garnet in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is cherry cough syrup with some anise, in a good way.  On the palate, this is tannice.  Full bodied with good acidity.  Cherry and black cherry fruit with underlying acidity.  Nice finish.  This could use a few more years of cellaring then be good for another eight to twelve after that.  A nice match would be Malfatti which is a kind of Sienna Spinach Gnocchi.  

Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is dusty with black cherries, spice and tea leaves.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Nice cherry fruit with some underlying forest floor.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  It does seem tight and in need of more cellar time.  Hold for another three to five years and drink for ten to twelve after that.  Plenty of upside with proper cellaring on this.  A nice match would be a stew like the Tuscan favorite Spezzatino.