Monthly Archives: September 2013

Marcato, “iPrandi” Brut, Lessini Durello DOC, Italy NV $10-14.5

Posted on September 12, 2013 by waywardwine

Think of Italian bubbly and we probably think of Prosecco, maybe Moscato or Lambrusco.

However, hidden in North Eastern Italy, smack dab between Venice and Verona, lay the Lessini hills. Here an ancient grape called Durello thrives. The name may come from its thick skins, or high acid. It may be native. Either way, it loves the volcanic soil. basalt. Elevations are high. Thus Lessini Durello has its own DOC. Continue reading →

Posted in Durello, EMPTIED BOTTLES, Sparkling | Tagged Anxiety, Blind experiment, Chamomile, Cooking, durello, Durello grape, Home, iPod, iPrandi, italy, Lambrusco, Lessini Durello, Marcato, Matricaria chamomilla, Perelman School of Medicine, pinot noir, Placebo-controlled study, Prosecco, Relaxation technique, Shopping, Sotheby, Sparkling wine, Veneto, Venice, wine, Xarel·lo | Leave a comment

WEST KERRY BREWERY, PORTER, DINGLE PENINSULA, IRELAND EU 3.99: EU Austerity Drinking Tour #39

Posted on September 9, 2013 by waywardwine

Pints from the Franciscan Well Brewery warm our walk back to our homestay. We stumble upon ruins of a distillery We also visit a militant penitentiary: Soon evening shades the port of Cork, Ireland. Punks chase each other. Couples mouth … Continue reading →

Posted in Ireland, WINERIES WANDERED | Tagged Beer, Blasket Islands, Bradleys, Connecticut, Dingle, Dingle Peninsula, Ireland, John Kerry, Kerry, Nova Scotia, Porter, West Kerry Brewery | 3 Comments

Cruz de Alba, Tempranillo, Crianza, Ribera del Duero, Spain 2008

Posted on September 5, 2013 by waywardwine

APPEARANCE: Inky purple, paper thin clear rim, noticeable legs. AROMAS: Bold aromas of candied violet, black berry jam on burnt toast, orange zest, equal parts French and American oak lend a cigar and coconut face off. PALATE: Dry and dusty, … Continue reading →

Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Red, Tempranillo | Tagged 2008, Aroma of wine, Crianza, Cruz de Alba, Oak, Ribera del Duero, Spain, Spanish wine, Tempranillo, wine, Wine tasting descriptors | Leave a comment

CORK (IRELAND) PART 2: THE FRANCISCAN WELL BREWERY: EU Austerity Drinking Tour #38

Posted on September 2, 2013 by waywardwine

Last Monday sampled beer from the Franciscan Well Brewery in Cork, Ireland. We return to test their cask ale.

A week ago in Dublin, we tried their Purgatory Pale Ale from cask at the Bull and Castle. I got a touch romantic: “Franciscan Well’s ‘Purgatory’ is hardly hell: it is beguiling, a bit sarcastic, and very good (4 of 5): like a first date who clearly is over you by the end. I suppose we should stop by Cork after all.”

Oh, how naive.

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