Rare Italian Reds

The label “rare Italian reds” could refer to the magnificent Tuscan wines from the late-1970s, or the 1980s masterpieces of Piedmontese winemakers like Angelo Gaja and the Ceretto family. Or it could refer to non-indigenous grapes like Cabernet and Merlot that Italian vintners have incorporated into their ever-growing portfolio of fine wines. “Rare” not because [...]

Antica

Italians love their wine, and they’re not going to be restrained from drinking it at any opportunity, particularly when the time seems “just about right.” However, they also recognize that their wine is best when served with food. Piero Antinori of the famous Tuscan winemaking house of the same name knows this perhaps better than [...]

Gascón Malbec and Asado

Asado is a style of cooking that is essential to the cuisine of Argentina, involving grilling different cuts of meat or roasting them over an open fire. Called churrasco in Brazil, asado emphasizes the pure flavors of the pork or beef, and yields some of the most succulent cuts of meat that any carnivore can [...]

Pinot Grigio and the End of Summer

The end of summer is such a sad time. Okay, there’s football and cooler weather (break out the red wine!) and sundry other pleasures. But the waning daylight and loss of warm sunny days means that light, refreshing, brisk white wines will lose some of their appeal. So, quick, let’s drink them up while the [...]

Roast Pork with Merlot

Summer is upon us, which means most of the dishes will be easier and simpler to prepare and to enjoy.  It also means that many more meals will be prepared and eaten out of doors.  So talking about roasted meats almost seems out of the question – or at least out of season. But roasting [...]