Category Archives: Grapes: Black

The Italian Connection: Beaujolais Crus & Ancient Rome

Posted on November 23, 2015 by

The end of November is here and with it our tables are being adorned with French Beaujolais.  This ritualistic gulping down of Beaujolais is for good reason – not only is the freshly harvested and vinified Nouveau released on the … Continue reading →

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Intro to Nebbiolo

Posted on October 8, 2014 by

Say it: Neh-BEE-ol-Oh  This bold and aristocratic character rules over Piedmont.  But don’t be intimidated, Nebbiolo is a cordial grape! Grape: Nebbiolo.  Though Pliny the Elder spoke highly of a grape in the Piedmont area which matches the description of … Continue reading →

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A Grape By Any Other Name: Cannonau & Grenache

Posted on November 12, 2013 by

*A Grape By Any Other Name posts are about exploring different grape varieties known by other names or nicknames, both inside and outside of Italy. Cannonau is most closely associated with the island of Sardegna where it is widely planted.  … Continue reading →

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Intro to Sangiovese

Posted on July 7, 2013 by

Say it: san-geeo-VEHS-eh.  This is an Italian grape superstar, that you’ve probably drank but maybe didn’t realize.  Read up, this is your Intro to Sangio’! Grape: Sangiovese.   The name of this native Italian grape has debatable origins, some saying that … Continue reading →

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Tasty Note: Grignolino del Monferrato Casalese DOC 2011

Posted on May 30, 2013 by

What on earth is “Grignolino“, you ask?  It’s a somewhat unappreciated Italian black grape variety that has its home in Italy’s prominent Piedmont region, in the areas of Asti and Monferrato.  It makes wines that are light, fruity, quaffable, and … Continue reading →

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Italian Wine Regions: Piedmont

Posted on May 19, 2013 by

PIEDMONT Grapes and wine-making were first introduced to this Northern Italian region by the Greeks, much like the rest of Italy, being cultivated and pressed afterwards by the Romans (whose love for wine was responsible for many advances in wine … Continue reading →

Posted in Grapes: Black, Grapes: White, Historical Stuff, Italian Wine Regions, Red Wines, Sparkly Wine, White Wines | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments