The Joy of Native Varietals: Schiava and Lagrein

Tiz the season for joy, and writing about beautiful places and wines and foods that I love is joyful for … More

The Exquisteness and Breadth of Italian Wines – Simply Italian Great Wines Chicago 2019

Moving into the holidays, I can’t help but get into a mindset and focus on gratefulness. It seems like the … More

A Road Map of Italian Wine – Italy’s Native Wine Grape Terroirs by Ian D’Agata

I was thrilled, when I contacted the publisher of Italy’s Native Wine Grape  Terroirs (INWGT) by Ian D’Agata, and asked for a … More

At a Castle, In a Bunker, Listening to Opera, in the Footsteps of Casanova, Castello Spessa, Collio

Walking the sprawling grounds of Castello Spessa, in Capriva del Friuli, Collio , I was immediately drawn to the path winding … More

The Eagle of Collio, Tasting the Aged Pinot Biancos of Russiz Superiore

  Looking out at the Julian Alps and Slovenia in the distance from the driveway of Marco Felluga’s Russiz Superiore property, … More

Magic at Azienda Agricola Baronesse TACCO, The Farmhouse on a Hill, San Floriano del Collio

There are certain spots, places in the world, that have a magic about them. Standing in these places, the world … More

All Roads Lead to Collio, Bianco

  I love green places. Collio is one of them. Vineyards interspersed by forests and grass. Time marches on, and … More

You Say Rosato, I Say Ramato, The Many Styles of Italian Rosés

Before I get into the gist of this piece, clariying the different styles and names for Italian rosés, I will … More

A Little SABA Goes a Long Way!

I write about wine regions and their wines in this space but I love good food and thoughtful wine lists … More

Taking A Sip on the Dry Side, ASTI Docg SECCO

Several weeks ago, pre-Arctic blast that truly turned Chicago into Chiberia, I attended a really lovely luncheon at Gibson’s Italia … More