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

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

The Vibrancy of Verdicchio and the Wines of the Marches

Gosh, my last post was the end of July, it feels like a year ago. I am well into the … More

There is Gold in those Hills, Prosecco Gold, Prosecco Superiore DOCG

It’s been Prosecco week (7/20-7/26/20), a celebration of bubbles and as part of that celebration, I attended a virtual Zoom … More

Moscato D’Asti Behind the Vines in the Time of Covid

Spring is starting to show signs that it has arrived in Chicago.  As I take my walks outside to break … More

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