by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2009 | Brachetto d'Acqui, Italy, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
Rosa Regali, Brachetto d’Acqui DOCG 2008 This wine shows its red fruit, both visually and in the nose. Strawberries combine with green herbs and a sense of mint in the nose. In the mouth, it is evocative of raspberries and cranberries with a little bit of grip, a tart...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2009 | Italy, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
Martini & Rossi, Asti DOCG nv The fruit is rather muted in this wine, smelling mildly of citrus overlayed with butter. In the mouth it is buttery, almost oily, with the fruit in the background. The grapes are all Moscato Bianco. Produced in Torino 7.5% $13.99 at...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2009 | Italy, Muscat, Piemonte, Sparkling sweet
I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano, Moscato d’Asti DOCG 2008 The orange blossoms are alight in the nose of this wine. On the palate it is beautifully sweet, tasting of tangerines with a dusting of powdered sugar – delicious. The grapes come from Ceretto’s...
by Ray Johnson | Aug 5, 2009 | Cartizze, Italy, Prosecco, Valdobbiadene, Veneto
Ruggeri, Valdobbiadene DOC, Superiore di Cartizze Dry nv There’s a classic sense of bubble gum and sweet flowers in the nose, as well as plentiful fruit. In the mouth the wine is perfectly fresh and fruity and complemented by the touch of sweetness –...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 23, 2009 | Bolgheri, Cabernet Sauvignon, Italy, Merlot, Super Tuscan, Tuscany
Tentuta San Guido, Toscana IGT, Guidalberto 2006 Cassis combines with earthiness in the nose. In the mouth it is quite concentrated, with extract to match its structure. I like the way this wine combines the fresh fruit of the New World and the structure that one...
by Ray Johnson | Jul 22, 2009 | Amarone della Valpolicella, Corvina, Italy, Valpolicella, Valpolicella Classico, Veneto
Masi, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC, Costasera 2005 Dried fruits spring to mind when you smell this wine, raisins, dried cranberries and a sprinkling of brown spices. In the mouth, the wine is quite elegant, lighting up every part of the palate with flavor,...
