Wine Regions & Grapes
Sampling of Wineries
- Acorn
- Allegrini
- Andrea Oberto
- Atlas Peak
- Balletto
- Blandy's
- Blue Wing Cafe
- Bodega Navarro Correas
- Bollinger
- Bonterra
- Brassfield
- Burgans
- Cantina Terlano
- d'Arenberg
- Domaine Carneros
- Domaine de la Mordoree
- Dow's
- Dr. Loosen
- Famega
- Fonseca
- Foppiano
- Foxen
- Glen Ellen
- Innocent Bystander
- J. Keverson
- Korbel
- Madeira Wine Company
- Martin Codax
- Masi
- Merryvale
- Mulderbosch
- Navarro Vineyards
- Noceto
- Pahlmeyer
- Plantagenet
- Redwood Creek
- Reynoso
- Roederer Estate
- Sbragia
- Shed Horn
- Sonoma State Wine Business Institute
- St. James
- Vietti
- Wildhurst
- William Fevre
Category Archives: Sicilia
Pellegrino Marsala
During my visit to Pellegrino I had the opportunity to learn first-hand about one of Europe’s most famous fortified wines, Marsala. While the market has faded and consumer interest in these wines has waned, a few producers soldier on making … Continue reading
The Wines of Donnafugata
During our recent trip to Sicily I had the opportunity to visit with the team at Donnafugata both on the main island in Marsala and on the small and windswept island of Pantelleria. The wines run the spectrum from fresh, … Continue reading
Posted in Ansonica, Cabernet Sauvignon, Catarratto, Italy, Moscato di Pantelleria, Muscat, Nero d'Avola, Pantelleria, Sicilia
Tagged Donnafugata
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Sicilian speciality
Duca di Castelmonte, Marsala DOC, Fine Sweet I.P. nv This is caramel and Christmas pudding in a warm glass. Bottled in Marsala 17% $10.99 at Traverso’s
Posted in Italy, Marsala, Sicilia
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ndam and sicilia
Baglio di Pinaetto, Sicilia IGT, Cembali, Nero d’Avola 2004 Unfortunately this bottle was corked. The grapes were sourced from the Noto region of Sicilia. 14% $36 at Traverso’s Baglio di Pianetto Cusumano, Sicilia IGT Sagana 2005 There’s plenty of raisined … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Merlot, Nero d'Avola, Sicilia
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It’s Not Just for Cooking
Marsala is known the world over but like Madeira it often gets categorized as a mere cooking wine. This is unfortunate as the flavors can delight and since the wine is out of fashion, it’s price point is attractive. Florio … Continue reading
Posted in Fortified dessert, Italy, Marsala, Sicilia
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Zibibbo
Cantine Rallo Moscato di Pantelleria DOC 2003 This is the second bottle of this vintage tasted this year. The Muscat comes through (known as Zibibbo in this part of the world). During the last tasting we placed it side by … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Muscat, Sicilia
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Island Blends
Planeta Sicilia IGT La Segreta Rosso 2006 Black fruits, mintiness and a moderate amount of extract and some light structure make this an easy drink. 50% Nero d’Avola, 25% Merlot, 20% Syrah and 5% Cab Franc grown at 100-250 metres, … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Sardegna, Sicilia
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Sicilian Reds
This flight shows two budget Island reds with different personalitites. Nero d’Avola also goes by the moniker Calabrese. Feudo Arancio Sicilia IGT Nero d’Avola 2005 This wine carries on value shown in the 2003. One of the class described the … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Nero d'Avola, Sicilia
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Island Wine
Southern Italian white table wines have improved by leaps and bounds over the last decade. As in other hot winegrowing regions, temperature control in the cellar is making the difference between wines that smell like nuts and varnish versus fresh … Continue reading
Posted in Italy, Sardegna, Sicilia, Vermentino
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