Everything you need to know about Sweet Wines

What do Port, Moscato d’Asti, Sauternes, Alsace’s Vendange Tardive, Passito and Icewine have in common? They are all sweet wines...
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Etna: the wines of the volcano (part 1)

One of the world’s most active volcanoes is also a fascinating wine region. Etna wines are among the finest in...
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Wine in Art: Ancient History

Hittite rhytons, Egyptian tomb paintings, Greek vases, Roman mosaics - all these art forms depicted wine in ancient civilisations. Together...
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A semi-serious guide to food and wine pairing – Part 1

Wine and food are two of the greatest pleasures in life. What happens when you combine them? Take your taste...
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Five classical composers that loved wine

What did Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Rossini and Brahms have in common? Beyond being great classical composers, they all loved wine!...
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What is terroir? A beginner’s guide

Holy grail or propaganda? Terroir is a controversial topic among winelovers. What is terroir? Its definition, origin and history
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Sweet-Wines-Cover

Everything you need to know about Sweet Wines

What do Port, Moscato d’Asti, Sauternes, Alsace’s Vendange Tardive, Passito and Icewine have in common? They are all sweet wines - although vinified in different ways. In this article, I explore the various styles of sweet wine, their production and taste profiles ...
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A red from the foothills of Mount Olympus

A red blend from Rapsani (Thessaly, Greece) was my favourite in a recent wine tasting in London. Terra Petra by Thymiopoulos Vineyards has Burgundian quality and an outstanding value-for-money ratio. Great Greek wines have never been so alluring ...
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Etna: four volcanic winemakers (part 2)

Intrepid winemakers are the real protagonists of the Etna wine scene. In the second part of my Etna series, I pick four vintners whom I know and value: Benanti, I Vigneri, Frank Cornelissen and Tenuta di Fessina. Four pioneers of a land full of wonders. Here are their philosophies and marvellous wines ...
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Etna: the wines of the volcano (part 1)

One of the world’s most active volcanoes is also a fascinating wine region. Etna wines are among the finest in Italy. Long history, unique terroir and resourceful winemakers are the ingredients of Etna’s success. Do you want to know more? I explore the vinous wonders of Mount Etna in a two-part series. ...
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Wine in Art: Ancient History

Hittite rhytons, Egyptian tomb paintings, Greek vases, Roman mosaics - all these art forms depicted wine in ancient civilisations. Together we run through the history of wine in the first part of my Wine in Art series ...
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#TryJanuary – A Rossese di Dolceacqua from Liguria, Italy

Following the #TryJanuary tradition, this year my pick is a wonderful ‘Poggio Pini’ Rossese di Dolceacqua Superiore by Tenuta Anfosso. This elegant red wine comes from Liguria, in north west Italy. A must-visit region for every Italian winelover ...
Festive Drinking an Italian Affair - Wine and Other Stories

Festive Drinking, an Italian Affair

I found myself drinking more Italian wine during the last Christmas break. Here are the four most interesting wines I drank: a Riesling from Oltrepò Pavese, a Piedirosso from Campania, a Nero di Troia from Puglia and a sweet Bianco di Greco from Calabria. My New Year’s gift to my readers dotted with juicy tasting notes! ...
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Drinking under lockdown – Two rosé from Rioja and Emilia-Romagna

Rosé are just as diverse as red or white wines. In this article, I discuss two great rosé: Contino Rioja Rosado by CVNE and "Il Mio" Malvasia Rosa by Camillo Donati ...