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. …
Wine
Corte Agnello 2004 Corvina, Veronese IGT
You’ve probably had Corvina, the Veneto’s “little crow,” somewhere along the way, even though you may not have realized it. A light, easy-drinking Bardolino? Corvina and Rondinella. Valpolicella in all its …
Elvio Cogno 1999 Montegrillo Langhe Rosso
Elvio Cogno’s established his reputation in Piedmont long before he purchased his own property in Novello. His mark had been made at the renowned Marcarini estate in La Morra, bridging the …
Segura Viudas 2001 “Mas D’Aranyo Riserva” Tempranillo
One of those rare $10 bottles of wine that can deliver some substance along with style. Ripe currant flavors edge into toasted chocolate, and finely textured tannin support flavors of thyme …
B. Levet 2003 “La Chavaroche” Cote Rotie
Typical of the hot 2003 vintage, the nose here is all raisin-y black currants, cherry liqueur, and high-toned spice, as well as a pronounced black peppercorn bite. It actually reminds me, …
Of Bubbles and Guilt
As the holidays recede ever further into the distance, and as the Thanksgiving-to-New Years need to dull, the pain of all that happy-happy family time subsides, Champagne and other sparklers begin …
Bellum 2006 El Providencia, Yecla
Cigar smoke, cedar, and a beastly whiff are the aromatic introduction to this roundly tannic and full-bodied wine. Flavors veer to boysenberry-meets-IHOP and then back to a more classy kirsch. Not …
Saladini Pilastri 2004 Rosso Piceno, Marche
.Viticulture in the coastal area near Ancona predates Roman times, yet the wines of the Marche are still relatively unknown save for Fazzi-Battaglia’s “fish” bottle of Verdicchio. The Rosso is a …
Alice Feiring wants to save you from Robert Parker.
The “Parkerization” of the wine world is a hotly debated trend in said world. Interestingly, it is also a method of protecting a steel surface from corrosion and increasing its resistance …
Argiolas 2004 “Perdera”, Isola dei Nuraghi
Monica is a varietal indigenous to Sardegna, believed to have been introduced, as was Cannonau, by Spanish monks in the 11th century.There are two DOC zones where it predominates. However, this …
Crios de Susana Balbo 2006 Rose of Malbec
Sign me up as the first member of the Susana Balbo fan club. Her wines are so well-made, so affordable, so fun that whenever I see them in the wine shop, …
Apparently, You Are What You Eat
Taste and Share – a social network connecting food and wine enthusiasts worldwide – recently published a fascinating article connecting one’s proclivities for sweets to their personality. Interestingly, impulsivity and a …
Benedicte De Rycke 2004 Jasnieres, France
Sometimes, you have to go for the wine equivalent of a guitar solo. This wine waft hits your nose like a fistful of irises and warm earth. On the tongue, a …
Mas Donis 2003 Barrica, Montsant
From the Capcanes cooperative in the Montsant region of Catalonia, this straightforward blend of 80% old vines Garnacha and 20% Syrah is a deep purple color that thins out to light …
Kris 2006 Merlot, Alto Adige
Dark and smokey fruit in a lighter style red. One of the most balanced wines in this price range I have tasted recently.
Wine Gift Guide
The Party Gift Peachy Canyon “Incredible Red” ZinfandelIt’s big, it’s jammy, it’s easy. Nothing says drunken holiday party like a half dozen of these puppies. Not responsible for any drunken acts …