The Fear of Bacchus in Me
March 2, 2012 by Derek Swanson
More than a few friends have told me they want to learn more about wine so they are not embarrassed when handed the wine list during a business dinner or a date. After all, knowledge breeds confidence, right? Well, recently I had a revelation, or what Jules Winfield might call a “moment of clarity,” and [...]
The Wines of Planeta
February 15, 2012 by Derek Swanson
Sicily. What is the first thing that comes to mind? Volcanoes? Mobsters? Square pizza? How about wine? Though often overshadowed by the big boys of Italy such as the Brunellos, Barolos and Super-Tuscans, the pedigree of wine from this Mediterranean island can be just as compelling. At a recent lunch with winemaker Alessio Planeta, I [...]
Not All Pinots Are Red
November 15, 2011 by Dick Rosano
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
October 23, 2011 by Dick Rosano
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
September 19, 2011 by Derek Swanson
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 [...]
