Week eleven of wine adventures in Piedmont I had been meaning to explore this eastern Sicilian volcanic site for many years (see Mt Etna, left); ever since tasting one of its Etna Rosso wines, a blend of indigenous Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccio almost a decade ago. The wines shone brightly then – starfish among […]

Week 10 of wine adventures in Piedmont Judging by the wave – ok, ripple – of interest following last week’s ‘Tale of Two Barbareschi’ game, the answer evidently can’t come a moment too soon. Yes, you guessed right: it was Producer B, Signor Teobaldo Rivella (left), hopefully coming to a Fine Wine Merchant near you […]

Week seven of wine adventures in Piedmont It was as if someone had yanked up the thermostat overnight, gazumping spring in favour of summer. For since May 1st the temperature has risen dramatically to 30-35 degrees celsius by day and 23 by night, forcing all but mad dogs and Englishmen to hibernate in the middle of […]

Week six of wine adventures in Piedmont From somewhere – who knows where? – Papa Silvio summoned up funds to help not just Abruzzo’s earthquake victims (word has it that Chinese and American themed villages are on the table), but also those among the Langhe hills, marginally less traumatized by recent rains. For the rain, coming on […]