Tag Archives: italy

Clisson: Wine Village with an Italy Fixation: EU Austerity Drinking Tour #52

Posted on December 9, 2013 by waywardwine

Last Monday’s EU AUSTERITY DRINKING TOUR took us to the vines of Vertou in the heart of Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine (see post: here).

Today we travel further up the Sèvre River to the Southeast edge of wine making in Muscadet: Clisson.

We leave futurist Nantes late. Our hangovers slow us down. So we buy new floss, deodorant, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. No greater joy exists for the traveler than fresh toiletries.

Our train stretches through 30 minutes of vineyards and villages. The river basin turns into hills. And we arrive at Clisson. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Brittany, Clisson, European Union, France, italy, Muscadet, Muscadet: Clisson, Nantes, Vertou, wine tasting | 2 Comments

Holiday Wine Geek Gift: COS, Pithos, Nero d’Avola Frappato, Sicilia IGT, Italy 2010

Posted on December 5, 2013 by waywardwine

Stumped on what to get your wine geek this holiday? Unsure how to shock and awe a wine-centric holiday party. Wayward Wine has the answer.

Fly their wine glasses to Italy’s southernmost corner: Vittoria (represented by the massive, pink, plastic, lawn flamingo…of course).

The town of Vittoria is one of Sicily’s youngest. Founded in 1607. But this trading post has been gang-rushed by Sicans, Sikels, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Goths, Visigoths, Vandals, Arabs, Normans, French Angevins, Spaniards, Chiaramontes, Sicilians, Savoys, Austrians, and most recently, Italians. Even the Americans conquered it, replete with a resplendent donkey-carted-procession:

But through these countless colonizers, wine has made Vittoria tick. Continue reading →

Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Nero D'Avola, Red | Tagged biodynamic, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, DOCG, Etna, Frappato, italy, Nero, Nero D'Avola, pompeii, Ragusa, Sicily, Spain, Visigoths, Vittoria, wine | 4 Comments

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

Solaria, Brunello di Montalcino, Italy 2002

Posted on April 16, 2012 by waywardwine

A decade is passing by. Instead of dredging up bad memories, crushes, exes, bullies, and untold levels of awkwardness, à la Grosse Pointe Blank (with or without some murder), it is time for another kind of ten year reunion. The year … Continue reading →

Posted in EMPTIED BOTTLES, Red, Sangiovese | Tagged Archaeology, Brunello di Montalcino, Etruscans, Grosse Pointe Blank, high school reunion, Indiana Jones, italy, John Cusack, Minnie Driver, Montalcino, Patrizia Cencioni, Poggio Colla, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Grosso, Solaria, Tuscany | 5 Comments

Nerello Mascalese/Nero d’Avola, Hauner, Salina Rosso IGT Italy 2009

Posted on January 30, 2012 by waywardwine

Lost at sea and desperate for home, they sight an island. Shear cliffs loom above. A citadel walled in copper gleams. Within it they find a hospitable ruler; his court redolent with savory smells and echoes of feasting. The sailor … Continue reading →