By Maxine Howard Montalcino, a small town in the southern part of Tuscany, is the only place winemakers can produce Brunello. It was the first to receive a DOCG designation guaranteeing the origin of this product. The grape from which Brunello is made is not unique: it is the Sangiovese grape grown around Italy and […]
Sangiovese
Libertà dei Collazzi Toscana IGT 2012
Somehow Tuscany is both approachable and intimidating. Approachable because it’s one of the best known wine regions in Italy, thanks to Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, “Super Tuscans” and an extremely photogenic landscape. Intimidating because of the number of wines produced and labels that may need deciphering to figure out what you’re drinking. Today we’re sharing […]
Finding the Perfect Pairing: Allegrini Cook-Off for a Cause
Vino Venue was the location of a friendly food fight last Thursday for the Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Cook-Off for a Cause. Three top local chefs competed to see whose dish paired best with the Italian red wine for the chance to win a donation to their selected local charity. Allegrini is an estate and […]
Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni 2010
Serving ham or lamb at your Easter meal or looking for a red wine for a dinner with friends? Try a bottle of the Tenuta Frescobaldi di Castiglioni 2010, a red blend from Tuscany. This wine is what is often called a “Super Tuscan” – a red wine from Tuscany that contains Sangiovese and a […]
Simply Italian: Tasting Notes from the Italian Wine Tour
By Maxine Howard Italian winemakers and their representatives took over the St. Regis Hotel in San Francisco earlier this autumn for the Simply Italian great wine tour. With stops in Chicago and Las Vegas, the tour offered the chance to share the wide variety of magic Italian winemakers weave with their grapes. More than fifty […]