Italian Wine Reviews
It’s been a month since the holidays and I’m just now going over my notes for some of the wines consumed during those festive evenings, and some of the bottles subsequently emptied …
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Casa Librandi Ciro, “Duca di San Felice” Riserva, 2003, DOC, Calabria
The Ciro DOC is home to Gaglioppo, a vigorous grape known as “The Black Prince.” Genetically related to Sicilian Frappato, it was used in ancient times to make crimissa. Today it …
Huber 2008 Gruner Veltliner
Celebrating Christmas with a traditional “Feast of the Seven Fishes?” Or Hanukkah with some classic potato latkes and sour cream or apple sauce? If so, this is the wine for the …
Al Fresco Dining in Philadelphia
Philly noshers are all about 2 things: Brunch and dining al fresco. Ask any local Provision Pathfinder were to do either, and they’ll give you a list as long as the …
The Wine School vs. Vince McMahon
A blast from the past! When the WWE went against the Wine School… Vince McMahon Issues Smackdown Against Wine SchoolPhiladelphia, PA. Vince McMahon is taking on his oddest foe to date: …
The Sommelier Smackdown
To celebrate the notoriety we’ve garnered thanks to being singled out by World Wrestling megabucks impresario Vince McMahon; we recently held a mano a mano a mano red wine competition featuring three of …
Tintoralba 2004 Higueruela
More fruit than a box of juice. More jam than grandma’s cupboard. Nearly as thick as a strawberry shake. Grind a little black pepper over the foam, toss in a chunk …
Sylla Sebaste 2001 “Bussia” Barolo
For the past few years, there has been an ongoing debate regarding what constitutes a “true” Barolo…or makes a Barolo truly great. On one side of the aisle are the Traditionalists, …
Walter Massa’s 2004 “Pertichetti” Bonarda
Let’s set the record straight – Croatina is NOT Bonarda, although, in Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, that is how it is erroneously identified. Bonarda is a separate varietal that is extensively cultivated …
Terriccio 2005 Tassinaia
Well balanced, this wine offers up two cores of flavor: the first is an interplay of dried flowers and rich earth; the second a note of delightful cherry and chocolate—an elegant …
Hot Hot Hot
I preach this to the Wine School’s students every chance I get, but since there are readers of the School’s blog who I haven’t yet had the chance to meet, it …
Viberti 1999 Barolo Riserva “San Pietro”
Lovely room-filling aromatics of wilted violets, dried roses, and lilac… and roofing tar. This is a classic cru Barolo and at its peak. If you ever find yourself noshing on wild …
Wine Review: Green Point 2003 Chardonnay, Yarra Valley (Australia)
A lovely cool-weather chardonnay. Asian five-spice and fresh pears dominate the nose. Apple and stones pop across on the tongue, reminiscent of a Chablis with a beer belly. At $9, this …
Crios Rosé 2008, Mendoza
Buy half a case of this and try to make it last through May. Yeah…good luck with that: I’ll likely be kicked by Memorial Day. Easy drinking, supply, fruity: Quintessential rosé …
Roagna 2005 Dolcetto d’Alba, Piemonte
The name Dolcetto derives from dolcezza, meaning sweetness, and refers to the berries of the varietal, a quality that does not show up in the wines of its seven DOC zones. …
Moet et Chandon Brut Imperial Rosé, Champagne
Not, it’s not cheap. And no, you probably won’t be slurping down a case of it on your patio. But with grilled lamb chops, it’s delicious, and if firing up the …