Race Cars, Mountains, Secret Hideaways, Gorgeous Wines Abruzzo

It was our last morning in Abruzzo, when my group, the Rosa group, took off in our bus, to venture … More

The Pink Way, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Rosé Abruzzo Style

Americans tend to associate places, for better or for worse, with certain foods or beverages. Chicago, where I live, for … More

Dinner at Castello di Semivicoli with Miriam Masciarelli

So after the sun set, on day 2 of my trip to Abruzzo in June 2022, I found myself at … More

Tullum DOCG and Feudo Antico

One of the challenges for students of Italian wine is memorizing, or at least trying to, the now 77 DOCGS … More

Searching for Authenticity, You’ll Find It in Abruzzo, the Wines, Food, People and Places

Now that Covid confinement and masking feels like it is finally over, summer is in full swing in Chicago. People … More

The New Vinho Verde, Sipping Through the Region with Somm Bruno Almeda

Like many people, I had a stereotype for what Vinho Verde wine was, an inexpensive, low in alcohol, slightly spritzy, … More

The Power and Lure of the Volcano, Donnafugata and Their Etna Wines

My first introduction to Donnafugata wines, was tasting their Ben Ryé (Son of the wind in Arabic) Passito di Pantellaria, … More

Naoussa Xinomavro PDO, the King of Greek Wines

What wine is medium to deep ruby, translucent, high acid and high tannins, were you thinking nebbiolo? You were close. … More

Where the Wild Things Are, The Wines of the Maremma Toscana DOC

Spring has sprung in Chicago but we are still in that freezing cold one day, to warm the next, and … More

Spring into Sancerre: Crisp, Elegant, Fresh, Lively

The photo above, of the beautiful hamlet of Chavignol, in Sancerre, is taken from the Domaine Famille Bourgeois facebook page. … More