And that's just what they'll do. You know you are in Italy when you see fabulously dressed and hoofed women in vertigo-inducing high heels, with smiles on their faces after ten hours of balancing on stilettos. How many Americans (or Brits, or Germans, or you-name-it-nationalities) would hoof around a trade fair like Vinitaly…
They never cease to amaze, these Super Tuscans. I met two in my hotel here at Vinitaly. They need no introduction: Tenuta San Guido, Bolgheri, Italy. Ring a bell? Sassicaia - the Super Tuscan by definition. These people not only make Sassicaia (they invented it, for Pete's sake!), but they also make superb Sardinian wines.…
I made my way to the 1st floor of Pavillion 10 this morning to participate in a tasting. Rising above the often very crowded floors of the Vinitaly fair, one gets a different perspective on the business of wine. Serious business, this tasting of wine. This morning at 11:00, we took our places in one…
You should know that Vinitaly is a major conference for all those interested in wine. Parallel to the exhibits and stands, and myriad tastings, there are important meetings and conferences with major speakers from around the globe. There are 4000 companies here from 24 countries, and over 90,000 square meters of exhibition space (believe me…
Continue reading ➞ Lest You Think This is All Fun and Games…
Bottega Gold... Does that ring a bell? It should. They were celebrating 15 years yesterday at Vinitaly. Stunning packaging to match the bottle contents - award-winning Prosecco DOC Spumante! Anna Pesenti is a mover and shaker and one of the Donne del Vino (Women of Wine). She loves shiny things, and was proud to show…
When is 'So many' 'Too much'? The question was actually posed at the Masters of Wine Symposium in Florence last year, when it came out that Italy had over 440 varietals. If we want to talk DOC, there are over 330 of them, not to mention the 73 DOCG wines. If you don't believe me, check…
Happy New Year! Buon Anno! Bonne Année! Whether it's Prosecco, Franciacorta, Trento, Asti Spumante, Champagne..... Have a BUBBLY 2015!!!!! Best wishes from Italiangrapevine!
On a recent jaunt to Acqui Terme, in lower Piedmont, a man drove up in an old jalopy of a car and showed us this: My friends had never seen such a treasure trove before -- truffles, fresh from the earth! I complimented him on his catch, but rightfully, he attributed the great find to…
Oh, the elegance of it! A recent evening at the Rapallo Yacht Club featured the wines of Bellavista, best known for its fabulous Franciacorta. While everyone and their brother seems to know Prosecco, why is Franciacorta Italy's best-kept bubbly secret? What is in a name? Franciacorta is no ordinary bubbly (and of course, we are…
As you've gathered, I'm still digesting my experience at the Florence Symposium of the Masters of Wine. The farewell dinner was an appropriate send-off, held at the spectacular Antinori Winery in the Chianti Classico. Designed by architect Marco Casamonti, this stunning state-of-the-art Cantina wowed the crowd. How can I begin to describe this magical evening? The…
Suzanne Branciforte's Italian Grapevine 