Appunti di Viaggio

www.michelemarziani.org
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Appuntatevi l'indirizzo del mio nuovo diario on line, da oggi ufficialmente operativo: www.michelemarziani.org Vi aspetto!...
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Sito carbonaro
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Piccolo avviso natalizio, spero un regalo per le persone che mi leggono. Anche se è ancora un cantiere, anche se la grafica è in costruzione e si sta tra gli scatoloni e le impalcature da un po' ho ripreso a...
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Blog chiuso
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Questo blog ha chiuso definitivamente il 20 novembre 2007. Tutti i post pubblicati fino a quel giorno rimangono on line....
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Fine
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: No, non è paura e neppure viltà. È stanchezza. Mi sono stancato. E chiudo. Chiudo questo blog (senza cancellare nulla, ci mancherebbe!) Come dice il mio amico Nick Tambone chi scrive su un blog lo fa per passione, senza...
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Quando dietro la querela si nasconde la censura (facciamo un blog-vegno?)
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: Non volevo scomodare la libertà di espressione, ma mi tocca. Perché scopro che la rete è piena di persone querelate da Luigi Moncalvo e perché la querela è ormai un atto politico, un esercizio di potere basato su una...
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La querela è un atto fascista
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Premessa: per me (libertà di opinione articolo 21 della Costituzione, lo penso io che sono un cittadino), la querela è un atto fascista (spiegazione: lo è la querela, non il querelante che è quel che è o preferisce essere). Penso...
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Querelato da mister Padania, ovvero Luigi Moncalvo
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: Mister Padania è un simpatico ed innocuo appellativo con il quale indico Luigi Moncalvo, detto Gigi, che della Padania, intesa come giornale quotidiano, fu direttore. Bene, il signore in questione mi avrebbe querelato. Uso il condizionale per cautela, perché...
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A scrivere del Po con la colonna sonora di Franco Fattori
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:L'ultima volta che sono uscito di casa l'ho fatto per andare a pranzo domenica alla Capanna di Eraclio, monumento alla civiltà della tavola del Delta del Po e alla pesca nella sacca di Goro e nel vicino Adriatico. Era il...
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Il marito muto
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Chiedo scusa se parlo di Maria, ma è una storia che conosco bene... Mi girano sempre in testa le parole della canzone di Giorgio Gaber quando penso a Il marito muto, primo romanzo di Claudio Castellani in uscita tra qualche...
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Don Oreste Benzi
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: Don Oreste Benzi è morto. Non lo frequentavo più da tanti, tantissimi anni, ma una persona che se ne va riapre sempre dei pezzi di vita. In passato ho molto apprezzato del suo lavoro, il suo stare con i...
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Blanc de Noir

The WSET / ISG Challenge Number 10: Fortified Wines
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Nine: Fall in Love with Burgundy
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Nine: Fall in Love with Burgundy
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Eight: Where in the World is That?
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Eight: Where in the World is That?
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
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Graffiti and Wine
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number 7: A Medley of Miscellany
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number 7: A Medley of Miscellany
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Five: Argentina
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
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The WSET / ISG Challenge Number Five: Argentina
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Hip Tastes Blog

Rock & Roll Pics Up!
Data:2008-08-26 02:39:55
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rocknrolltasting.jpgA sold-out crowd of Hip Tasters showed up at vintage cool venue Pink in SF for the much-anticipated Rock & Roll Tasting. Sushi rolls & rock tunes were out in force, as was some serious style and - as usual - good people having a ridiculously good time.

Check out the pics!


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Beer Bullies Wine Once Again
Data:2008-07-30 18:41:32
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beerwine1.jpgDang it, just when I thought wine was winning the booze battle hands-down, I get wind of the latest Gallup poll results, which show preferences among folks 30-49 years shifting - for the first time since 2002 - from wine back towards beer. In fact, the most recent results show beer in a double-digit lead over wine for the first time in years, something that makes me sad, since wine was doing SO WELL in its impressive march upwards in US consumer preferences in recent years. Even more of a bummer? Beer is the clear preference over wine among the 20-something set,


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"Huge Blocky Goose" Makes Great Pinot
Data:2008-07-17 17:03:45
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label_pinot_2006.jpgOkay, so the goose doesn't exactly make the Pinot, but Toulouse Vineyards' mascot is most definitely a goose, and their Pinot is without a doubt off the charts (though admittedly made by human hands). I absolutely loved the 2006 Toulouse Anderson Valley Pinot Noir my sister picked up in Mendo recently, and which I had the pleasure of quaffing a few days ago in the baking hot Central Valley, where I'm visiting my family. The newish operation (their first vintage was 2002) is run by Vern and Maxine Boltz, a retired Oakland fire chief and United airline stewardess, respectively, and Toulouse Vineyards represents


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Why Men Fetishize Wine
Data:2008-07-10 17:24:13
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accidental.jpgI've never picked up a wine book I wanted to quote more than Lawrence Osborne's deliciously entertaining tome, The Accidental Connoisseur: An Irreverent Journey Through the Wine World. In it, the Brit - who right up front gamely cops to a serious distrust of his own sense of taste - sets out to visit several of the world's foremost wine regions in search of answers to his own burning question - what exactly is taste? - as well as more (less?) controversial issues like "why do men fetishize wine, and woman don't?"


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Announcing: The Rock & Roll Tasting 8.15.08
Data:2008-07-08 02:28:19
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We've done Green. We've done Grill. Heck, we've even done Saints & Sinners, Salty & Sweet and All White. But we've never rocked like this before.

Join a whole bunch of Hip Tasters at vintage-cool SF night spot Pink as we party to the sounds of updated arena rock (think Def Leppard's Pour Some Sugar On It) while noshing on sushi rolls and sipping summer-appropriate whites, pinks and bubblies. And with our first-ever dance party going down from 9pm-10pm, this will be a Hip Tastes you definitely won't want to miss. PS: the 3 best dressed (as in rock dressed) Hip Tasters will go home with Best Dressed honors and a free gift. Booyah! See you there.

Tickets & 411


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Extreme Wine Touring
Data:2008-06-30 19:21:31
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Audir8II.jpgGiven the surge of interest in so-called adventure tourism, it's no surprise that extreme activities have finally made their way to wine country. From mellow outings like deep-sea fishing and balloon rides to truly adrenaline-pumping options like skydiving and trapeze training, the options themselves are as varied as the highs they inspire.

Baby You Can Drive My Car
One of the most hair-raising things you can do in wine country is get behind the wheel of an Audi R8 and brave the hairpin turns and dramatic elevation changes at Infineon Raceway just south of Sonoma. We like Audi's all-inclusive package, which encompasses a wine country back roads tour, two nights' five-star lodging for two, catered meals and a day of racing along the breathtaking...


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Courtney & Hip Tastes @ St. Helena Public Library Tomorrow, 6/25!
Data:2008-06-24 17:05:04
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winelogo_shpl.jpgHey folks, if you're in or around Napa tomorrow please come out and join me along with four other wine authors as we chat and sign our wine books published in '07. Part of the St. Helena Public Library's 1st Annual "Books on Wine Festival," the event will be the first of its kind for St. Helena, and I'm totally tickled to have been included! Refreshments start at 6, author presentations are at 7 and author signings begin at 8:15. Besides Hip Tastes, other titles featured include "A Moveable Thirst," "New Classic Winemakers of California," "The Art of Terroir" and Small Plates, Perfect Wines." More info at shpl.org - I'd love to see you there!


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Under the Texan Sun
Data:2008-06-24 00:13:02
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texas1.jpgTexas has long been known for many things - BBQ, the Alamo, Dynasty, a fantastic music festival called South By Southwest (to name just a few) - but until recently something the Lone Star State most certainly was not known for was its wine. On the heels of this year's well-attended Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival, however, that's all changing.


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Design My Wine: Roberto Cavalli
Data:2008-06-19 21:15:00
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cavallibox.jpgWoop, looks like another celeb designer has gotten in on the wine design thang. Busy Italian designer Roberto Cavalli - famous for his flamboyant, figure-hugging frocks worn by adventurous celebutantes on many a red carpet - has just released Roberto Cavalli Selection, a Tuscan IGT made with the assistance of Italian wine guru Carlo Ferrini. Just about 5,000 bottles were made of the debut vintage, 2004, a portion of which come in this appropriately flamboyant box covered in leopard print used in the designer's 1996 Spring/Summer collection and...


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I'm On View from the Bay - Woo Hoo!
Data:2008-06-05 16:20:43
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As part of the promotion for the recent Uncorked! Wine Festival at Ghirardelli Square - at which I gave a food and wine pairing seminar to a packed room at Cellar 360, so fun! - I appeared on the Bay Area's popular day time talk show, ABC's View From the Bay. In this clip also featuring View From the Bay's Nick Smith and local chef Kasey Passen, I chat about the festival and wine pairings for two delicious dishes prepared by Kasey - a summer salad and super rich chocolate dessert. Pictured here, a very funny moment at the end of the segment when Nick couldn't fit his hands into the gloves they gave him to roll the chocolate - we were all cracking up.

The clip should be live for about 60 days. Enjoy! Click on "continue reading" for the link.


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Dr Vino's wine blog

The 2022 wine harvest is well underway
Data:2022-08-29 23:31:51
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The 2022 wine harvest is underway! I’ve been reposting some winery photos and videos over on my Instagram account as stories. This wine harvest incredibly early: mid-August for some grapes in Northern California, the third week in August for Champagne (incredible for one of the most northerly wine regions), and some pinot nero in Piemonte. […]

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The 2022 wine harvest is underway! I’ve been reposting some winery photos and videos over on my Instagram account as stories. This wine harvest incredibly early: mid-August for some grapes in Northern California, the third week in August for Champagne (incredible for one of the most northerly wine regions), and some pinot nero in Piemonte.

In case you haven’t been outside this summer, it has been incredibly hot and dry–everywhere. Nazi ships that sunk long ago have reappeared in the Danube because the water level has receded so much, the Rhine has been almost impassible, there’s even a drought in southeast England, and the Loire is showing way too much sandy bottom. And we haven’t even gotten to the wildfires that have battered Spain, Portugal and even Bordeaux…

We’ll have to see ultimately what this means for the quality of the vintage. But fingers crossed and best of luck to all those vignerons! The past three years have all been crazy, one way or another.

And just in case you think you’ve got the 2022 wine harvest made in the, er, shade, there seems to be a heatwave looming for Northern California (and beyond). Holy phenolic ripeness, Batman!

PS – harvest happens once a year, which is more frequent than posting on this blog! LOL

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Pierre Peters and Domaine du Bagnol rosé
Data:2020-05-26 22:12:12
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I’ve been leading a ton of Zoom tastings during this quarantine period–a Zoom boom, if you will. We had this pair with a group recently and they really hit the ball out of the park: Pierre Peters, “Cuvée de Réserve,” Champagne and the 2019 rosé from Domaine du Bagnol in Cassis. (Find these wines at […]

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I’ve been leading a ton of Zoom tastings during this quarantine period–a Zoom boom, if you will. We had this pair with a group recently and they really hit the ball out of the park: Pierre Peters, “Cuvée de Réserve,” Champagne and the 2019 rosé from Domaine du Bagnol in Cassis. (Find these wines at retail)

The Pierre Peters has incredible depth of flavor and is on my shortlist for best mulitvintage Champagnes. As Rodolphe Peters explained to me in my visit last year, it is entirely from the estate’s 19.98 hectares–fully half the fruit comes from the famed Les Chétillions vineyard. It has a big helping of the reserve wine, which is from a “perpetual reserve” (solera) started in 1998. Rodolphe said that he really wants this “flagship wine” to be “exceptional” because it will be most people’s first experience with their wines. Based on our Zoom call over the weekend, he just made a lot of people happy.

Rounding out our Mother’s Day duo, we had a stunner from the minuscule appellation of Cassis. Snuggled right on the Mediterranean between Marseille and Toulon and a national park, the tiny appellation has only 200 hectares (500 acres) of vineyards and a dozen producers. Domaine du Bagnol’s 7 hectares (17 acres) lies a short walk from the charming fishing village, under the spectacular bluff of the Cap Canaille. The estate has been certified organic since 2014 and this wine draws on grenache (55%), mourvedre (31%), and cinsault (14%). Although 2019 was a hot vintage, the wine is really stunning. It opened a lot of eyes to the potential of rosé being a wine of substance, rather than a toss-it-back quaffer. According to Rosenthal, the importer, only 500 cases of this make it to our shores. Run, don’t walk!

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Zoom tasting with Anthony Filiberti of Anthill Farms
Data:2020-05-26 22:01:36
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The global nightmare known as coronavirus has brought enormous tragedy, uncertainty and change to the way we live. In the pre-2020 part of my life, I led lots of wine tastings, large and small, in real life. They were fun and informative! Now that we are all in a pants-optional world of Zoom, it’s no […]

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The global nightmare known as coronavirus has brought enormous tragedy, uncertainty and change to the way we live. In the pre-2020 part of my life, I led lots of wine tastings, large and small, in real life. They were fun and informative! Now that we are all in a pants-optional world of Zoom, it’s no surprise that wine tastings are happening “virtually” now.

I have led a couple of dozen during the quarantine, mostly for private groups and corporations looking to reconnect. While they do have certain limitations, namely, the fact that it’s hard for most people to open more than two bottles a night, they do have advantages including being able to display maps and photos and videos more easily than in many group settings.

anthony filiberti anthillOne other huge advantage is that we can be joined by winemakers! Such is the case for a public tasting I am leading on Thursday, 5/28 at 6 PM eastern. Anthony Filiberti, winemaker at Anthill Farms in Sonoma, will join us. I ask him a few questions, then we will taste the elegant Anthill, Sonoma Coast, Pinot Noir 2018 together and have a general discussion. (find this wine) So grab a bottle if you can, or even if you can’t, join us on Zoom!

Anthill Farms site

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Wine tariff comment period ends today
Data:2020-01-14 01:12:17
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Tariffs of 100% may soon hit European wines in America. The price of some wines will double. But mostly it will mean that many of the most coveted wines will no longer be available. The comment period ends today at midnight over at the site of the United States Trade Representative. Fully 24,071 people have […]

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Tariffs of 100% may soon hit European wines in America. The price of some wines will double. But mostly it will mean that many of the most coveted wines will no longer be available. The comment period ends today at midnight over at the site of the United States Trade Representative. Fully 24,071 people have submitted comments. Add yours! My take on the situation is that it’s a code red: after “big, beautiful” negotiation with China and a new agreement in North America, the administration is more likely to turn to Europe. Hopefully, cooler heads will prevail…Anyway, I made a pie chart! It shows that more American businesses profit from a bottle of European wine than the producer. Overly simple, but trying to make the point that these tariffs are an own goal.

Here are three pieces I wrote on tariffs for Wine & Spirits magazine last month. And here’s my letter to the USTR:

January 13, 2020

Ambassador Robert Lighthizer,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the escalation of tariffs on wine.

The matter is the Section 301 in the Large Civil Aircraft dispute. On October 18, the tariff was raised to 25% on a variety of European wines; the prosed escalation would put that tariff at 100%. I am the author of two wine books, including one called Wine Politics.

Wine is popular in America today. Sales of wine have risen on a per capita basis for 25 consecutive years. European wines provide many of the most expensive wines in the market. But they also account for almost a quarter of the best selling wines at Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board shops. So it affects consumers of wines from the top shelf to the bottom in all 50 states.

While the intent is to inflict economic pain on Europeans in the context of the aircraft dispute, the most immediate effect would be (and has been since October) felt on American businesses. The proposed 100% tariff would effectively shut European wines out of the US market. An unintended consequence of the action would be to devastate small distributors. These same distributors who sell small production wines from Europe also sell small production wines from the US. The repeal of Prohibition set up a so-called ?three-tier system? that compels domestic wineries (as well as imported wine) to use a distributor to sell their wines out of their home state. Inflicting economic damage on the distributor tier through tariffs would also limit outlets for some of the most exciting American wineries.

For a European wine that sells for $20 on the shelf in, say, Wisconsin or Michigan, only about $8 of that goes to a European winery. Thus more than half goes to American businesses. And when that wine is sold in a restaurant in, say, Ohio, the profit for American business is even more because the restaurant depends on wine to be a draw for guests as well as a center for profits.

An additional point worth considering in international trade is that this action would be a win for China. The world?s top wines are produced in minuscule quantities where global demand far outstrips supply. So if the share reserved for the American market no longer comes to our shores, the Europeans will easily sell it elsewhere, such as China, and suffer no economic hardship whatsoever. Thus the Chinese would not only be eating our lunch, but also drinking wine intended for us.

I understand your frustration in the large civil aircraft dispute, which has been ongoing since 2004. But I encourage you to keep the action areas limited to aircraft, where the tariff rate is already lower than agricultural products. The EU may have the WTO rule in their favor and might then impose retaliatory tariffs on an assortment of US goods, including US wine.

Uncertainty as already led to a noticeable reduction in European wines in our supply chain. If tariffs are further escalated on wine?which I hope they are not?I strongly encourage you to at least set an effective date three to six months out, which would provide some stability and help mitigate economic hardship on American businesses.

Thank you.

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European wines face a potential 100% tariff
Data:2019-12-16 19:58:24
Description:

Another day, another wine tariff post… Last week, news trickled out that the US Trade Representative might raise the tariff on European wine to 100%. Oh, and the tariff on 31-pages of other items. Unsatisfied with progress in the aircraft dispute with Airbus, which was the cause of the 25% tariff imposed on some European […]

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Another day, another wine tariff post…

Last week, news trickled out that the US Trade Representative might raise the tariff on European wine to 100%. Oh, and the tariff on 31-pages of other items. Unsatisfied with progress in the aircraft dispute with Airbus, which was the cause of the 25% tariff imposed on some European wines on October 18, the USTR has threatened to take it to 100.

I discussed the issue with Blake Murdock of Rare Wine Co, Dixon Brooke of Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, and Rocco Lombardo of Wilson Daniels. Each of them is taking a different approach–I filed two stories for Wine & Spirits magazine that you should check out.

If you don’t want European wine prices to double next year in this country, make your comments heard over at regulation.gov. Comments accepted until January 13.

Ugh. How long will they last, if imposed? It’s anybody’s guess.

Full list of items in the federal register

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Bracing for 100% Champagne tariffs
Data:2019-12-03 17:40:32
Description:

Late yesterday, the US Trade Representative unsheathed a champagne saber. But it wasn’t for sabering champagne in celebration; rather, it was for dealing it a blow by threatening tariffs of 100%. French sparkling wine (not still wine) as well as cheese, handbags, makeup and enamelware would be affected. (See the whole list here.) While that […]

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Late yesterday, the US Trade Representative unsheathed a champagne saber. But it wasn’t for sabering champagne in celebration; rather, it was for dealing it a blow by threatening tariffs of 100%. French sparkling wine (not still wine) as well as cheese, handbags, makeup and enamelware would be affected. (See the whole list here.)

While that would be very bad news for consumers as well as producers, there is some cause for guarded optimism. This was, after all, saber rattling, not actually putting the tariffs into effect. The core issue here is a “digital tax” that France has imposed on big tech companies, mostly American, doing business in France. France has threatened to retaliate if the tariffs announced yesterday (not the ones from October!–do try to keep up) are imposed so maybe it is all just a bargaining position? And there’s Trump’s relationship with LVMH founder Bernard Arnault, on display in Texas recently, which may have played a part in why champagne, handbags and cognac were not on the first round of tariffs.

But, of course, there’s also the case for pessimism: this is the self-proclaimed “tariff man” whose relationship with Macron has deteriorated. There’s a lot of uncertainty in trade these days. Importers may plan for the worst case and bring in boatloads (or planeloads) of bubbly as soon as they can to duck under the wire of a potential tariff. Sadly, if enacted, this will be fatal to the category of crémant wines, sparkling wines from France outside of Champagne. While many of them are very good wines, their main selling point is value, which the tariffs would obliterate.

Napoleon supposedly said about champagne that in victory you deserve it while in defeat you need it. An important corollary to that all-purpose reason for popping bubbly next year might be “providing you can afford it.”

A hearing is scheduled on the champagne tariffs for January 7 in Washington DC.

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Wine maps are all the rage
Data:2019-11-22 21:52:26
Description:

“Wine is geography in a glass,” Hugh Johnson said recently. He and Jancis Robinson were in town to promote the new edition of the World Atlas of Wine. He said that back in 1970, the publisher was unsure if a book of wine maps would really fly. So he had to impress upon the publisher […]

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wine maps atlas“Wine is geography in a glass,” Hugh Johnson said recently. He and Jancis Robinson were in town to promote the new edition of the World Atlas of Wine. He said that back in 1970, the publisher was unsure if a book of wine maps would really fly. So he had to impress upon the publisher how wine and maps were a natural fit. The market shouted a reply: by 1973, the book had sold 500,000 copies. Lifetime, he said, the volume has sold more than 5 million copies.

The book gained a new lease on life when Jancis Robinson became a co-author in the fifth edition. Jancis and her team do the heavy lifting now and this eighth edition has been fully revised. The tome has added new areas of coverage such as the Savoie and the Judean Hills. In all, it has 300,000 words, 230 maps, 400+ pages and weighs almost five pounds. Even with all this heft, it is admittedly not going to be the last word on any region. But, because of its breadth, it is often the first word for many readers, particularly on far-flung regions.

Someone recently asked me what is the one wine book I would recommend: this is it. If you are trying to generally to learn more about wine and have a slightly more than casual interest, and are not looking for a edge-of-your-seat narrative, this is the one for you. I consult to a restaurant where I put together the wine list and work with the staff. I have this book on the shelf there. It is essential. I use it all the time to show where wines hail from. It’s useful to drill down from a country map, to a regional map and then even villages to let the staff and even some guests see where the wines come from.

There is really a ton of interest in wine maps. Many are available on the internet, but it is fun to really pore over a map in your hands, such as this World Atlas of Wine, or hang them on the wall. Steve DeLong has been making the latter for a decade now, blending his architect’s visual sensibility with his love and knowledge of wine. He has a kickstarter going now for a new product, “Wine Maps of the World.” This set of foldable maps blend cartographic precision with a good design aesthetic. His kickstarter campaign has raised/sold $50,000 and has four days to go.

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The Kincade fire is awful
Data:2019-10-28 13:39:46
Description:

The Kincade fire has already burned 54,000 acres in Sonoma County, roughly the size of the area also under vine. There have been mandated evacuations of 180,000 residents and the 3,400 first responders have it only 5% contained. Strong winds have blowing sparks and embers huge distances but the winds are moderating. The governor has […]

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The Kincade fire has already burned 54,000 acres in Sonoma County, roughly the size of the area also under vine. There have been mandated evacuations of 180,000 residents and the 3,400 first responders have it only 5% contained. Strong winds have blowing sparks and embers huge distances but the winds are moderating. The governor has declared a state of emergency. Power outages have further disrupted many lives in the Bay Area.

It is terrible. Follow Twitter #kincadefire for the latest updates. Fortunately, for all the loss of property, no human lives have been lost. Please post in the comments about places where we can donate to help. Symbolically, buying a bottle of Sonoma wine could help show that we are thinking of them.

And then there are they Getty and Tick fires in Southern California…

Floods, hail, late frosts, and fire have all threatened vineyards around the world in recent years. The changing climate has really affected winegrowing dramatically.

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How did champagne dodge the tariff bullet?
Data:2019-10-25 16:34:28
Description:

For those looking to explain the oddities of the recent tariffs on French wine, a clue may have come last week in Texas. But first, those oddities. It is not really going out on a limb to say that this administration has a haphazard, govern-by-tweet style of policymaking. So it should not be a surprise […]

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For those looking to explain the oddities of the recent tariffs on French wine, a clue may have come last week in Texas.

But first, those oddities. It is not really going out on a limb to say that this administration has a haphazard, govern-by-tweet style of policymaking. So it should not be a surprise that there were some head-scratchers in the wines affected by tariffs. since not all of the $2.1 billion of wines that the US imported from France last year were included. Notably omitted from the list was the high-value category of champagne (sparkling wines were all exempted). Cognac and French spirits were not affected, another large, high-value. (And neither were French handbags or fashion–by contrast, cashmere sweaters from Scotland were hit). And wines over 14% alcohol were not affected. And those in “containers” of over two liters. And Italian wines were exempted since Italy is not a part of Airbus–yet parmigiano reggiano was hit with a 25% tariff? Hmmm…

For a possible clue for explaining some of those loopholes, we take you to Johnson County, Texas

on Thursday of last week. There, in between a fundraiser and a rally, President Trump attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new 100,000-sf facility for making handbags. Louis Vuitton handbags. And beside him was the LVMH founder and chairman, Bernard Arnault. And next to him Ivanka Trump.

The NYT sent fashion columnist Vanessa Friedman to the event and her article has some great color, including Trump saying in his remarks that Louis Vuitton (pronounced ?VOO-ton?) was ?a name I know very well. It cost me a lot of money over the years.? The article also asks what was LVMH getting out of it, balancing “the immediate brand equity risks” with “political rewards if Mr. Trump wins a second term.? The article points out that Bernard Arnault visited Trump after the 2016 election at Trump Tower.

In his remarks in Texas, Arnault said: ?I am not here to judge his type of politics. I have no political role. I am a business person. I try to tell him what I think for the success of the economy and the country, and the success of what we are doing.?

One importer asked about it suggested that champagnes already had to pay a higher excise tax so floated that as a reason for their avoiding the tariff hammer.

So maybe we have some clues to the exclusion of sparkling wine and cognac. And we can raise a glass to the fact they were not affected. But we are still left to ponder the 14.1% alcohol exemption and who had a hand in that. Maybe Robert Parker?!?

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The post How did champagne dodge the tariff bullet? appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.



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Questions on French wine tariffs!
Data:2019-10-04 16:11:10
Description:

Our post about the 25% tariff that will be imposed on the $.2.5 billion of wines imported from France, Spain and Germany as of October 18 raised some questions. We respond: Rick: How do you suppose this will affect futures orders that are in place? Dr. Vino: They will be hit by the 25% levy […]

The post Questions on French wine tariffs! appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.


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wine tariff
Our post about the 25% tariff that will be imposed on the $.2.5 billion of wines imported from France, Spain and Germany as of October 18 raised some questions. We respond:

Rick: How do you suppose this will affect futures orders that are in place?

Dr. Vino: They will be hit by the 25% levy if they arrive in the US after October 18. This could lead to the smart collector’s money either (A) diverting toward wines already in the US that are available at auction (they have the added bonus of being perhaps more ready to drink) or (B) perhaps the merchant that sold you the future is prepared to hold off on taking delivery until the tariffs are called off. This trade dispute can’t go on forever, right?!

Carol: Since Italian wines are not hit by tariffs, will this be a Prosecco New Year’s Eve?
Dr. Vino: Champagne somehow dodged the tariff bullet so your choice of bubbly will be tariff-free.

Carol, with a follow-up: So will wine prices be rising this holiday season?
Dr. Vino: It is unclear if there will be price hikes on store shelves (and restaurant wine lists as soon as December). Many shops or restaurants could conceivably buy now to insulate themselves and distributor warehouses are probably pretty full in anticipation of both year-end madness and perhaps this tariff move. One rep I spoke with said their distributor is not expecting price hikes for six months. But who knows–others may not be as well positioned and have to pass these tariffs on to consumers sooner.

Jade: Should I pre-buy my wine now for the rest of the year?
Dr. Vino: Sure! I never would tell you not to! There are so many great wines in the market right now plus a lot of stores offer discounts on 12+ bottles. And you know the holidays are coming…oh, and have you seen the news recently? Oh, man…might make you want to crack into your stash.

Juliette: so will French rosé next year be 25% more expensive?
Dr. Vino: If the issue remains unresolved and the tariffs are still in place, then yes. Any 2019 wine from these three countries would be impacted–even Beaujolais Nouveau!

Leslie: How exactly do the tariffs affect the auction market? If a past vintage passes from an affected EU country will that be subject to tariff? Do auction wines now become more valuable if they are unaffected by the tariffs?
Dr. Vino: Wines in the US before Oct 18 are not hit by tariffs. So, yes, there’s a chance that if futures buyers like Rick divert their funds to collectible wines that are slumbering in cellars across America now, then, yes, there could be a bump in the auction market for French (and German and Spanish) wines.

Okay, that’s all the questions for now. But I did want to reproduce the text of the directive on French wine tariffs (and Spanish and German and UK wine): “Wine other than Tokay (not carbonated), not over 14% alcohol, in containers not over two liters.”

So weird that wine over 14% alc gets a pass! so all Chateauneuf du Pape comes in unaffected? To Juliette’s point above, maybe we will see some 14% alc roses? ? Also, game on for double mags of French wine! And champagne!

Also, final fun fact: $16 million of wine was imported from the UK last year! I knew it was, uh, small beer, but that is actually more than I thought!

UPDATE: this post was edited to reflect the fact that champagne will not be affected by the tariffs. Neither will cognac or handbags so a big wine for LV to the MH.

The post Questions on French wine tariffs! appeared first on Dr Vino's wine blog.



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Avenue Vine

p.i.n.k. Vodka Named Signature Drink at New VIP club, The Eldridge In NYC
Data:2008-09-19 01:18:55
Description:

pink_drink-w.jpgPerfect party spirit p.i.n.k. vodka has teamed up with the exclusive nightspot, The Eldridge to create a slew of high-end cocktails.

Located in NYC?s hip Lower East Side neighborhood, the members-only establishment has a guest list that includes the likes of supermodel Kate Moss, actress Kirsten Dunst, reality star it-girl Whitney Port and Heatherette fashion designer Richie Rich.


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Wine Bottles Packed With Artificial Additives' by Winemakers
Data:2008-09-18 20:11:19
Description:

Wine_Additives-w.jpgIn some cases producers employ water, sugar and sometimes hydrochloric acid to ensure their wine has a uniform taste and consistency.

The research into the quality of the 1.5 billion bottles consumed in Britain, for tonight's Channel 4 programme Dispatches, also cast doubt on the reputation of Champagne, with one expert suggesting that 70 per cent was not worth the premium price.

"Many, many wines are no better than a sort of alcoholic cola. You get artificial yeasts, enzymes, sugar, extracts, tannins, all sorts of things added," Malcolm Gluck, author of The Great Wine Swindle, said.

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Festa Italiana: Italian Street Fair - COPIA, Napa
Data:2008-09-18 01:43:14
Description:

Sunday, September 28 ~ 10:00 - 4:00 pm
Festa-Italiana08-w.gifImmerse yourself in the charm of a traditional Italian street fair at this lively third annual festa. Sip a Limoncello and nibble some Frittata as you enjoy live music and entertainment in COPIA?s beautiful Edible Gardens. Learn Italian cooking from expert chefs in the new Viking Outdoor Demonstration Kitchen. Plus, try your foot at grape stomping and sample some of Italy?s great wines with classic Italian tastes. Buon appetito! read more


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DON?T MISS THE 22ND ANNUAL B.R. COHN CHARITY EVENTS
Data:2008-09-18 00:10:25
Description:

B_R_Cohn22nd175-w.gif?DINNER AND AUCTION,? FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD - 6:00 pm
PART OF THE B.R. COHN CHARITY EVENTS & FALL MUSIC FESTIVAL WEEKEND

FEATURING ON SATURDAY OCTOBER 4 - TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE!

DOOBIE BROTHERS, KRIS KRISTOFFERSON, TODD RUNDGREN, THE TURTLES AND MICHAEL FINNEY

SUNDAY OCTOBER 5 - SOLD OUT

DOOBIE BROTHERS, ROBERT CRAY, DAVE MASON, THE TURTLES AND LARA JOHNSTON...


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UC Davis Entomologists Selected to ESA Fellows
Data:2008-09-17 22:00:00
Description:

ESA175LOGO-w.gifTwo entomologists at the University of California, Davis, are newly selected Fellows of the Entomological Society of America (ESA), honors that mean they're among the top insect scientists in the world.

They are professors Michael Parrella, associate dean of the Division of Agricultural Sciences, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and former chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology; and Frank Zalom, an integrated pest management (IPM) specialist and former vice chair of the department.


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george Wine Company Vintage V (2007) 100 CASES LEFT
Data:2008-09-17 20:04:15
Description:

George Wine Company is pleased to announce its Vintage V (2007) release of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir.

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Devoted exclusively to the production of Pinot Noir from Sonoma County, the goal at George is to acquire the best grapes available to create the highest quality wine.

To find out more, please click here to go to: georgewine.com


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Volumetric Tax Hikes of ?Alcopop? Supported by Latest Report
Data:2008-09-17 17:35:43
Description:

Alcopops-w.JPGAn independent report has backed the Rudd government's 70 per cent excise hike on alcopops but its author says a volumetric tax on alcohol is the way forward.

The report, commissioned by the Howard government in 2006, indicates the $15.3 billion annual social cost of alcohol could be slashed by half if interventions such as higher alcohol taxes, a ban on advertising and more random breath testing were put in place.


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WINE 2.0 ANNOUNCES PRESENTING WINE 2.0 COMPANIES AND LEADING VENTURE CAPITAL FIRMS PARTICIPATING IN WINE 2.0 NEW YORK EVENT
Data:2008-09-17 15:22:05
Description:
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Wine 2.0, the innovator in social networking and events in the wine industry, announces the presenting Wine 2.0 companies for its upcoming Wine 2.0 New York event.


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BACARDI ASSIGNS Y&R TWO ADDITIONAL BRANDS
Data:2008-09-17 00:00:24
Description:

BACARDI_LOGO200-w.jpgBacardi Global Review Yields New Assignments for Flavors and Gold Rums

The Bacardi Group today announced that it has awarded the Y&R advertising agency two additional brand assignments for BACARDI Flavors and BACARDI Gold Rum. These new brands come on top of the global agency of record assignment for BACARDI Superior rum, which Y&R won in 2005.


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CONCANNON VINEYARD 125th HARVEST CELEBRATION THIS WEEKEND
Data:2008-09-16 23:02:46
Description:
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Luciano Pignataro Wineblog

Battipaglia, 26 novembre. Gennaro Esposito a Rossorossorosso...Piedirosso!
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: Gennaro prepara la sua mitica minestra di pasta mista di Gragnano con crostacei e pesci di scoglio nella cucina di Fabbrica dei Sapori. Alla sua sinistra si intravede Maurizio Somma del Papavero. Il clou della prima serata dedicata al rosso più amato dai napoletani. Abbinamento perfetto con il Piedirosso. Per la cronaca: ho potuto provarla solo fredda perché impegnato nel lavoro e ho constatato la insuperabile classicità di una piatto memorabile. ...
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Vino e Food, due banalità da evitare
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:A margine di Anteprima Vitigno Italia di Francesco Aiello Caro Luciano, Non avendoti visto alla presentazione dell’Anteprima Vitigno Italia, scrivo le considerazioni che mi sarebbe piaciuto confrontare con te. Fatta salva la manifestazione ed il bel programma messo su per il prossimo anno,sono rimasto sconcertato (che parola grossa … diciamo solo deluso) dalle orecchiabili banalità che mi è capitato di ascoltare. E il peggio è che a dirle non era il politico di ...
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Roma, 25 novembre. Festa dei premi Veronelli 2008
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Una serata a Gustolab di Emiddio Trotta a via dei Filippini. Con la cucina di Casa del Nonno 13 di Mercato San Severino, la mozzarella di bufala, il pane cafone, il babà, la zuppa di fagioli a formella e torzelle del Vesuvio, i paccheri Rummo con il San Marzano (Smec 20), la cioccolata dei Curti. Così abbiamo festeggiato con Luigi Cremona e Antonio Paolini insieme ad Alessandro Scorsone e, ...
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Tramonti, 30 novembre. Tintore day
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Happening di sapori e visite guidate per condurre gli appassionati alla scoperta dei vitigni centenari coltivati sorprendentemente a piede franco E’ una delle trentaquattro varietà autoctone presenti in Campania. Si tratta del Tintore che, insieme con altre tipologie di uve cosiddette minori, seppur produttivo risulta non essere ancora iscritto nel registro nazionale delle varietà di viti. E per far sì che si proceda in tempi brevi al riconoscimento del secolare ...
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Roma, 27 novembre. Biondi Santi al Trimani winebar
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: ore 20.30 Trimani Wine bar Via Goito, 20 - Roma "Sangiovese plurale" Degustazione e cena per la serie "aquattromani" Le tre zone storiche: Chianti classico, Montepulciano e Montalcino guidata da Giampaolo Gravina della Guida Espresso e da Paolo Trimani All’interno del programma “aquattromani” ci sarà, in buona compagnia, la degustazione del Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2003 Franco Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo. “aquattromani” è un nuovo modo di proporre il vino ideato da Cristiana Lauro ...
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Mercato San severino, 29-30 novembre. Grappa che passione
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: Campania Acquaviti si mostra al pubblico con “Grappa, che passione!” Una due giorni per accogliere esperti ed appassionati Sarà il distillato italiano per antonomasia ad essere il protagonista del prossimo week-end. Sabato 29 novembre e domenica 30 novembre dalle ore 11 alle ore 17, difatti, Campania Acquaviti apre al pubblico la distilleria e lo show room “Quindiciuomini”. Si potranno così scoprire i segreti della raffinazione ed i piaceri ...
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Si presenta il libro dei dolci di Salvatore de Riso
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description: Come tutti i grandi, Salvatore De Riso non ha preoccupazione di svelare i suoi segreti dolciari. Così è nato “Dolci del Sole”, edito dalla Rizzoli, e in libreria da oggi. Di più, chi vorrà assistere alla presentazione ufficiale c'è un doppio appuntamento. Il primo si terrà giovedì 27 novembre, 17,30 presso la Feltrinelli di Napoli in Piazza Dei Martiri. Qui, affianco a Salvatore De RIso, ...
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Napoli, l'Anteprima di Vitigno Italia
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Il Salone va al castello Il patròn Chicco De Pasquale ( a destra) con Francesco Marinelli dello staff e l'architetto Colombo di Giulia Cannada Bartoli Vitigno Italia va in città. Per la precisione al castello. Si cambia sede, l’evento cresce, abbandona il format squisitamente fieristico che l’ha caratterizzato dalla nascita nel 2005 per trasformarsi in un salone – salotto ricco di opportunità. Wine Business in Espansione è il lead della campagna ...
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Chiudono le fabbriche? Ritorna alla Madre Terra!
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:di Federico Valicenti* “La madre terra, privata dei suoi diritti di concimazione, è in rivolta: la terra scende in sciopero; la fertilità del suolo decresce e aumentano le malattie” questo è quello che scriveva Sir Albert Howard ( agronomo (1873-1947) nel suo libro - Diritti della terra – alle radici dell’agricoltura naturale –Slow Food editore. Howard con questo saggio scritto cento anni fa riafferma la necessità di ripartire dalla terra ...
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Napoli, Enoteca Partenopea 1951
Data:1970-01-01 00:00:00
Description:Viale Augusto, 2/4 - Fuorigrotta Tel.081.5935336, fax 081.5937982 info@enotecapartenopea.it www.enotecapartenopea.it chiuso: giovedì pomeriggio e domenica ferie: agosto Rosario Russo, terza generazione Una vita per il buon cibo e il buon bere. Antonio Russo eredita negli anni ’70 un’attività di gastronomia ed alimentari avviata dal nonno Raffaele Mangia. La passione per il vino prende il sopravvento e dà vita nel 1972 alla trasformazione del punto vendita in quella che oggi, dopo diversi ammodernamenti ed ...
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Soavemente WineBlog

Il tempo delle Guide ...
Data:2008-10-24 01:13:12
Description:Ove si vendemmian Grappoli (meglio se 5!) , Bicchieri (meglio se 3), Bottiglie (meglio se 5), Corone e Superstelle. Quel che penso delle Guide del Vino, che stanno riempiendo gli scaffali delle librerie e le varie "Location" del vino (Aziende,...
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Gianluigi Balestra: vita enoica ed eroica in Franciacorta
Data:2008-10-16 17:24:01
Description:Soavemente e gli AmiciDiVini, rispondendo all'invito di Umberto Stefani ch'è caro amico e profondo conoscitore delle Terre di Franciacorta, hanno fatto visita, sabato scorso, all' Azienda di Gianluigi Balestra a Monticelli Brusati. Esperienza indimenticabile raggiungere l 'Azienda "Il Pendio", che...
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Verso il Foscarino...Vendemmia
Data:2008-10-13 10:47:45
Description:E' nel periodo di vendemmia, in giornate autunnali piene di luce ancora calda, che metto più a fuoco tutte le ragioni della mia passione per questa terra. Son salita verso il Foscarino, colle ventoso che guarda la pianura (in giornate...
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Autunno... Cantar Bacco
Data:2008-10-09 16:48:37
Description:Incede l'autunno, stanno per terminare le fatiche della vendemmia... A Soave si potrà festeggiare tutto ciò ascoltando alcuni "Canti di Bacco" in tre sedi: Venerdì 17 ottobre presso il Duomo di San Lorenzo alle 20.45 Sabato 18 ottobre presso l'Auditoriun...
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Chocolando... Chocoday... e solidarietà
Data:2008-10-09 16:17:30
Description:Da venerdì 10 a domenica 12 ottobre ritorna a Soave Chocolando in Tour, Festa del Cioccolato Artigianale, quest'anno arricchita da concerti di musica jazz e blues, degustazioni e abbinamenti tra vino e cioccolato. Apertura degli stands dalle ore 12.00 alle...
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A volte ritornano... i falsari del vino
Data:2008-09-29 21:57:45
Description:E così si fa ancora danno all'immagine e alla sostanza della qualità del buon vino italiano. In questo caso si colpisce il nostro veronesissimo Amarone che, da questa estate, a tutela della qualità porta sulle bottiglie la fascetta numerata. Evidentemente...
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Enomuseo all' Azienda Ca' Rugate: storia del "fare" il vino
Data:2008-09-17 12:06:05
Description:Riceviamo e volentieri pubblichiamo la bella notizia relativa a una nuova iniziativa dell'Azienda Ca' Rugate: un Enomuseo che raccoglie testimonianze sul percorso produttivo del vino. In dialetto veneto "le arte" definiscono gli arnesi di un mestiere... Qui si verdranno storiche...
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Morgan Pasqual ospite di Soave Versus
Data:2008-09-04 17:33:22
Description:Morgan Pasqual, del ristorante 5 Sensi di Malo, porterà la sua scuola di cucina Cookiaio alla manifestazione Soave Versus, durante una serata che avrà luogo sabato 6 settembre alle 20.30 presso il parco Zanella a Soave (VR). ?Una cucina tutta...
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Vinea Tirolensis n. 9 a Bolzano
Data:2008-08-29 00:04:16
Description:Il pomeriggio d'assaggi trascorso alla 9^ edizione di Vinea TIrolensis presso il Teatro Comunale di Bolzano ( lunedì 25 agosto 2008) s'è rivelato piacevole e ricco di soddisfazioni. Molto bravi, questi vignaioli dell' Associazione Vignaioli dell' Alto Adige, bravi a...
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Sorsi d'autore 2008 a Monteforte d'Alpone
Data:2008-08-24 21:49:36
Description:Formula rinnovata quest'anno per la bella manifestazione "Sorsi d'autore": appuntamenti concentrati in quattro serate - da venerdì 29 agosto a lunedì 1 settembre - percorsi di esplorazione del territorio su due ruote (in collaborazione con agriturismi e con l'associazione Amici...
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Good Wine Under $20

Wine That Stands Up to Pesto
Data:2012-06-25 12:30:00
Description:
It's officially summer. Unofficially, it's basil season. Right now, I am overwhelmed with the stuff. Pictured to the left is one of my behemoth basil plants. Having a lot of basil isn't exactly a problem, I admit. Who doesn't love basil? But for wine lovers, basil can make for difficult pairings. This is one assertive herb, and you need a wine that isn't going to clash with it, nor do you want your wine to disappear on the palate.















My usual go-to wine when strong green, herbal notes are part of a dish is Sauvignon Blanc. But New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs are often quite citrusy, and US Sauvignon Blancs can be too melony and soft for basil. So I opened a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc--and it was perfect with my linguine tossed with homemade pesto and topped with some heirloom cherry tomatoes.


The 2011 Viña Carmen Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva (available for $13-$15 in the market) is made from grapes grown in the Leyda Valley. It has vibrant aromas of grass, gooseberry, and that uniquely weird smell of boxwood that I often smell in Sauvignon Blancs from the southern hemisphere. This wine was green and leafy rather than citrusy, with a backbone of acidity that was neutral in flavor but kept your mouth watering for more. The midpalate was herbal, making me think 'this is what Cabernet Franc would taste like if it were white and not red.' Cool and refreshing, this stood up to the basil. If you have the wine with something less resolutely green, you may find that its assertiveness is a problem but if you have basil, this is a good wine to go with it--and it represents very good QPR.

Full Disclosure: I received a sample of this wine for possible review.
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Fish Eye Pinot Grigio: A Genuine Bargain in White Wine
Data:2012-02-23 13:30:00
Description:I first enjoyed the Fish Eye Pinot Grigio in 2009 with my fellow wine bloggers at our annual conference (and wrote about that experience here). It was a humbling moment for many of us, who were a bit sniffy about the wine based on the cute label, its availability in large-format bottles and boxes, and because it was Pinot Grigio. There is a lot (and I do mean a lot) of terrible, cheap Pinot Grigio out there. So much of it, in fact, that I've stopped ordering it in restaurants.

So it is with great pleasure that I report that the 2011 Fish Eye Pinot Grigio still has a suggested retail price of $7 (though you can find it in the market for prices between $5 and $10), it is still delicious, it is still widely available throughout the country, and it is still excellent QPR. Expect zesty, pure lemon and lime aromas and to have those scents echo through the flavors. You might detect a nice peachy note as you sip, which takes off some of the bitterness that can be associated with Pinot Grigio.

This is a versatile, food-friendly wine that is light enough to pair with vegetables and salads at a weekend lunch, will be a great companion to asparagus and lemon pasta as you work your way into your spring recipes, and will be welcome at summer barbeques so if you see some on the shelf give it a try.

Full Disclosure: I received a sample of this wine for possible review.
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Miracles Happen: Three Worthy Pinot Noirs for $25 or Less
Data:2012-02-13 13:30:00
Description:Pinot Noir is a budgetary nightmare for most of us. Pinot is a finicky grape, which makes it difficult to grow, which translates into expensive bottles on the shelves. And that was before the movie that put Pinot Noir in everybody's glass, displacing Merlot.

Recently, I had not one, not two, but THREE bottles of Pinot Noir that were impressive--and none cost more than $25, which is quite reasonable by Pinot Noir standards. If $25 is too much for you--or you like more traditional tasting wines--scroll down to the final recommendation. At $12, it's a steal.

2010 Davis Bynum Pinot Noir (suggested retail $25; available in the market for $20-24) This excellent QPR example of Russian River Valley Pinor Noir has full-bore raspberry aromas and flavors with a burnt sugar edge. The mouthfeel is silky, with lots of toast and spice. The finish is long, with cinnamon and clove notes.

2010 Echelon Pinot Noir Russian River Valley (suggested retail $24.99; use the winery's "where to buy" feature to find a bottle near you) For around the same price as the Davis Bynum, and from grapes grown in the same place, this very good QPR example has intense raspberry fruit with a slightly candied edge to the flavors. The aftertaste is spicy, but less complex and dominated by clove notes.

2010 Casa Silva Pinot Noir Reserva (suggested retail $12) You might not expect to find Pinot Noir in Chile, but think again. This wine was much lighter in style, which some prefer, with pure raspberry aromas and flavors. You can't beat it for the price, this is a simple and delicious expression of the grape. Excellent QPR for a wine that will appeal to fans of more traditional Pinot Noir.

Full Disclosure: I received samples of these wines for possible review.
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Sauvignon Blanc...from Slovenia
Data:2012-02-09 13:30:00
Description:Wine is an adventure. At least that's what I've always thought. So many grapes. So many styles. So many countries to visit--even if it's only through the liquid in your glass.

So when one of my favorite addictions--er, on-line retailers--Garagiste up in Seattle offered a three-pack of Slovenian whites to try, I jumped at the opportunity. The three-pack cost around $45, which meant there was a $15 investment per bottle for a Riesling, a Chardonnay, and a Sauvignon Blanc. Recently, I opened up the Sauvignon Blanc and was extremely pleased at my first foray into Slovenian wine.

You might not think "Slovenia" and "Sauvignon Blanc" in the same breath, but there's no reason why you shouldn't do so. Most parts of the globe have a history of wine-making, and that includes central Europe. I had some amazing Merlot when I visited Prague, and have enjoyed some wonderful Romanian wine here on the blog, and one of my all-time-favorite wines from Trader Joe's comes from Hungary. As for Slovenia, they have a venerable viticultural tradition that goes back to pre-Roman times (check this site for more information). So don't be afraid to try wine from regions you may be unfamiliar with, as they often represent very good value, as in this very good QPR example.

2008 Marof Sauvignon Blanc ( purchased in a three-pack from Garagiste; available in the market for around $11) This terrific Sauvignon Blanc had tart lemon pith, gooseberry, and lemongrass aromas and flavors. It was very clean and precise, without being overly herbaceous. A nice balance of fruit and acidity made it an ideal partner for food, and you can't complain about the price! It would be excellent with all kinds of dishes, from salads, to fish, to roasted chicken with lemon. We had it with a soup made with ancient grains and vegetables, and the lively acidity was a lovely counterpoint to the earthiness of the kamut and lentils, and picked out the bright tarragon herbal notes.
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Classic Cabernets for $15 or Less
Data:2012-02-06 13:30:00
Description:There are all kinds of Cabernet Sauvignon out there. Some are too fruity for me. Some are too green. Some are too expensive. Some are too huge, with big alcohol and palate-punishing tannins.

I like my Cabernets to have a classic profile: plum and currant in the fruit department, pepper for spice, and enough acidity that I know I'm not drinking watered-down jam.

Here are three bottles that fit my preferences--and none has a suggested retail of more than $15. If you like your Cabernets big and bold or fruity and sweet, these wines may not appeal to you. But if what you're looking for is a wine that shows the grape's varietal character and an appealing price point, give one of them a try.

2009 Lander Jenkins Cabernet Sauvignon Spirit Hawk (suggested retail $15; available in the market for $7-$15) Rich plum aromas characteristic of this grape variety lead into a plummy palate with notes of mocha and eucalyptus. Though the tannins are fine-grained, they have a nice grip that will be appealing to lovers of more brawny wine. Excellent QPR.

2010 Robert Mondavi Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Private Selection (suggested retail $11; available for $8-$12 in the market) This wine has classic aromas and flavors of cassis, plum, herbs, and green pepper with smooth, well-integrated tannins. This will not necessarily appeal to fans of hugely fruity Cabernets, but if elegance is what you're after, you can't do better than this for $11. Excellent QPR.

2010 Echelon Cabernet Sauvignon (suggested retail $13.99; available for $7-$9 in the market) Another Cabernet built along classic lines, this bottle has some green pepper aromas and flavors among the cassis and cherry. There is good acidity, and tannins that area bit astringent in the mouth--which will make it a great partner for juicy beef dishes. Very good QPR (though if you find it for $7, consider this excellent QPR!)

Classic pairings for Cabernet Sauvignon include burgers, roast beef, grilled steak, and (a personal favorite from my childhood) Pepper Steak. If you're a vegetarian and want something to go with Cabernet, look for a recipe that uses rosemary like this white bean and rosemary soup recipe (sub veggie stock for the chicken stock). Rosemary and Cabernet are a match made in heaven!

Full Disclosure: I received samples of these wines for possible review.
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Aromatic Food Calls for Aromatic Wine
Data:2012-02-02 13:30:00
Description:If you are fond of aromatic food--including Thai, Moroccan, or Indian dishes--you might find them difficult to pair with wine. All those spices can overwhelm an ordinary white or red, and very tannic or very acidic wines can clash with what's on your plate. Often, I recommend Gewurztraminer or Riesling when there are lots of spices in a recipe (and I mean spicy, not necessarily hot).

There is another good option, however: Viognier. The grape is well-known among Rhone wine lovers, but may not be something you've tasted. Intensely aromatic wines made with Viognier can be wonderful with their floral scents and full-bodied texture, but there are many examples (especially inexpensive bottles) that taste a bit too much like dish detergent and feel waxy in the mouth.

So I'm really pleased to have discovered this excellent QPR option for those of you who would like to try something different in the white wine department. Try it with something like this one-pot chicken and chickpea tagine with bulgur (also from Mark Bittman...I'm on a Bittman kick these days).

2010 Wild Horse Viognier (suggested retail $17; average online price also $17) This wine is an excellent example of what Viognier can be, with lemon pith and honeysuckle aromas and flavors. Its stony core keeps it from getting sweet and sappy, and there is a liveliness in the mouth. Expect a nice interplay between the fruit and flower elements. This bottle would pair well with spicy chicken dishes, anything that uses lemons, Moroccan food, and Indian food.

Full Disclosure: I received a sample of this wine for possible review.
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Warming up Winter with Syrah
Data:2012-01-30 13:30:00
Description:I'm not sure why Syrah tastes like summer to me--but it does. And by 'tastes like summer' I don't mean it's the kind of wine you reach for in July: cool, fresh, and zingy. I'm talking, instead, about a wine that conjures up images of fruit ripening on the vine, dusty back roads, purple-and-red sunsets, and a garden full of herbs ready for picking.

Now that we're approaching midwinter, a touch of summer might be welcome. If so, why not warm up your evening with a beautiful, affordable bottle of Syrah, like this excellent QPR bottling?

The 2008 Andrew Murray Syrah Tous les Jours (suggested retail, $16; average retail price via online retailers, $17) is an exceptional bottle of wine for the price. There is a beautiful balance between the fruit, herb, and mineral notes in this rich Syrah. Black fruits dominate the aromas and flavors, and I detected black currants and blackberries. The wine has a smoky, spicy edge followed by a clean, crisp aftertaste. The wine's good acidity will make it pair with a wide variety of foods, including roasted and grilled dishes, Moroccan food, and even hamburgers.

To go with your Syrah, try this delicious pan-roasted eggplant and lamb pasta sauce from Mark Bittman's Food Matters Cookbook. If you are vegetarian, it would be easy to leave out the lamb and still be left with a rich, flavorful sauce. The acidity of the tomatoes will not clash with this wine, the eggplant's bitterness will be a nice foil for the fruit, and the oven roasting will bring out the smokiness of the wine.

Full Disclosure: I received a sample of this wine for possible review.
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Spicing Things Up With Zin
Data:2011-10-31 12:30:00
Description:Whether you love them or hate them, the next eight weeks are widely regarded as something of a challenge. Holidays. Family. Bad weather. Trips to the mall. Schlepping kids all over creation. Lots of turkey and mashed potatoes.

To survive, you need to keep some spice in your life. Start with some nice Zinfandel, and throw a pot of chili or pasta on the stove. It will keep you going during the darkening days of winter.

Here are two highly affordable Zinfandels for you to consider:

2009 Ravenswood Zinfandel Old Vine Vintners Blend (suggested retail $10; available in market for $7-$13) This very good QPR Zinfandel has smooth black cherry and blackberry aromas. You'll find the same fruits in the flavors, along with a smoky, spicy aftertaste. The wine has fine tannins, giving it an impression that is fruit-forward, but not too jammy.

2010 McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel (suggested retail $11.99; available in market for $9-$14) Pure of taste and light on its feet, this is all about the blackberries in the aromas and flavors. There are nice spicy and pepper notes in the aftertaste, too. At 13.5% ABV, this is not a monster of a wine, but a lovely reminder of how Zinfandel can be elegant. Excellent QPR for around $12.

Full Disclosure: I received samples of these wines for possible review.
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Exiting the Wine Superhighway with Malvasia Bianca
Data:2011-10-27 12:30:00
Description:One of the great things about wine is that no matter how much of the stuff you taste, there is always a new adventure to be had on the shelves of your local store or at your local winery (and yes, most of us actually do have a winery somewhere within driving distance!)

Don't get me wrong: I love the taste of wine. But I also love discovering new tastes, and locating wines I like that are off the normal Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc-Cabernet-Pinot route. Today's wine pick is definitely out of the ordinary. Drinking it was a little bit like exiting the familiar wine freeway and taking a back road to your destination.

When I first opened up the 2010 Wild Horse Malvasia Bianca San Bernabe (suggested retail $20; available in the market for $20) from California's Monterey County AVA, I wondered if I had ever had the grape bottled on its own. It often turns up in blends, especially Italian blends. It turns out I have had straight-up Malvasia Bianca before, back in the spring of 2008 when I was looking for a wine to pair with asparagus, and I enjoyed it a great deal. Three and a half years later, I had the opportunity to taste my second example!

And what a nice change it was from the same-old same-old. First off: don't expect to smell lots of fruit when you open this wine. Instead, this delicious white had floral and spicy aromas with an underlying note of litchi. In the mouth, the impression was bone dry, and there was a spicy aftertaste that was unlike anything else I've had before. In some ways, it tasted like a Gewürztraminer without that grape's lush, fruit-forward profile. As the wine was exposed to air and warmed up a bit in the glass, I tasted lean, elegant traces of pear, litchi, and lemon pith. Very good QPR. The 2010 Wild Horse Malvasia Bianca would pair beautifully with delicate fish and shellfish dishes, as well as Pacific Rim cuisine including fish tacos and sushi.

This autumn, make it a point to go wine adventuring. If you're at a restaurant that has a wine-by-the-glass list, try a grape variety you've never had before. If you're at your local wine shop, tell them that you love Pinot Noir but you'd like to try something new. Chances are you'll walk out with a Gamay or a Blaufrankisch--and you may just find a new wine favorite. And kudos to Wild Horse for offering us some unusual varieties like Verdelho, Malvasia and, yes, even Blaufrankisch, to tempt our tastebuds and expand our horizons.

Full Disclosure: I received a sample of this wine for possible review.

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Much-Maligned Merlot
Data:2011-10-24 12:30:00
Description:Once the darling of wine-by-the-glass programs around the country, and purchased by the gallon by people who didn't know what else to buy, Merlot has been relegated to the margins of wine culture. "You drink Merlot?" people have asked me with horrified expressions.

Yes. I drink Merlot. It's a great food wine--far easier to pair with most dishes than its more structured sibling, Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot has a bit of softness, a hint of richness, that make it a good choice for autumn and winter meals.

But Merlot critics do have a point: there was such a high demand for Merlot some people got carried away and began mass-producing wines that lost all of the plummy, peppery, clove, and mocha notes that make wines made with this grape distinctive.

Here are a few affordable bottlings that will get you reacquainted with Merlot. And here's a handy list of foods that go well with them: Mustard, Mushrooms, and Meatloaf (and other dishes made with ground beef). It's an easy list to remember, and will help you out in the store whether you're inspired to make Melissa Clark's Chicken with Mustard Croutons, Jamie Oliver's pappardelle pasta with wild mushrooms, or a classic meatloaf or burger.

2009 Rutherford Ranch Merlot (suggested retail $18; available for $14-$20) With characteristic chocolate, plum, and spice notes that persist from the aromas, through the flavors, and continue on into the aftertaste, this is a very good QPR choice. Nicely balanced between fruit, acidity, and oak, the wine impproves with air, suggesting it is suitable for drinking between 2011 and 2014. Buy a bottle for now--and set one aside for 2012 or later.

2009 Arroba Winery Merlot (suggested retail $19.95; available for around $15) A good QPR choice with plum and baking chocolate aromas and flavors. Good acidity and spice in the aftertaste makes you head back to the glass for another sip.

2009 Bella Sera Merlot (suggested retail $7.99; available for $7-$11) Very good QPR at around $8, this Merlot smells and tastes of plums with hints of chocolate around the edges and pleasingly smooth tannins. It may not convince Merlot skeptics, but those who enjoy the grape should give this Sicilian bottling a try.

2008 Concannon Vineyard Merlot Selected Vineyards (suggested retail $10; available for $7-$11) Another very good QPR Merlot for the price, with more structured rich plum and currant aromas. These fruits are evident in the flavors, too, which are nicely accented with spice. A reminder of the versatility or Merlot, and that the grape can be great if treated well.

If you haven't had Merlot for a while, give it another try. You may find yourself pleasantly surprised by what's on offer these days.

Full Disclosure: I received samples of these wines for possible review.
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