Not All Pinots Are Red

In the U.S., red wine has been all the rage since the 1980s, when American wine lovers discovered that the depth and texture of these dark wines offered more rewards than the simple, sometimes flat white wines that were being served back then. American white wines were simply soulless, and the European white wines that [...]

Italy’s Gems: Great Imports from Neil and Maria Empson

  Italian wines have been great for centuries, and Americans have been buying and bringing home wine from the peninsula since Thomas Jefferson swooned over Brunello di Montalcino in the 1780s. There are dozens of small importers, but few major players who bring us the best of what Italy has to offer. Neil and Maria [...]

Fat-Free Wine

  The first thing I noticed during an opportunity to sample an assortment of wines imported by Zonin USA was a Nutrition Facts window on the back of a bottle of Moscato D’Asti from Castello del Poggio.  I have heard rumors that such labels might soon emerge as a requirement for wines on the market [...]

Photos of Italian Wine Country Tour 3: Franciacorta

  If there is one thing I learned from my last trip to Italy, it is that Italians like to keep the best for themselves.  Up until recently, if someone mentioned Italian sparkling wine I would likely assume they were referring to Prosecco.  Many times I have heard it alluded to as the equivalent of [...]

Photos of Italian Wine Country Tour 2

  Mateja Gravner, who leads Bertani’s marketing efforts, showed us the large Slavonian Oak casks used for aging Valpolicella.  These casks, including the monster in the background, are now retired but remain at the winery in Grezzana.  Below, Mateja points out the antique glass air-locks which allow the gases released by fermentation to percolate through [...]

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