Even as I read the title of this blog post I am taken aback. Petit Verdot from Chianti? 100% AND barrel aged? What, what??? Interestingly enough I discovered this Petit Verdot at the Chianti Classico Collection 2014 event in Florence. Terreno was there with their Chianti wines and just happened to be pouring tastes of their unique Petit Verdot. It was downright startling after tasting all of the different Chianti but then after my next sip I...

It is almost time for vinitaly 2014 to start! Everyone I know is getting ready, many of the wineries are already there setting up and many are preparing to go. Yet another year I cannot make it due to other work but I’m there in spirit and just wanted to post the official map in case you too wanted to be there in spirit…...

I had the chance to go to the Chianti Classico Collection 2014 event this year where more than 180 wineries were tasting with their new vintage, the 2013, 2012 Chianti Classico and the 2011 Riservas.   The tasting itself was a little overwhelming, with so many wineries and so many wines you had to really quickly move through each one to cover any ground. I was with a client of mine, Molesini Wine Shop, who was on a mission to visit...

Just when you thought nothing happens around Cortona in February, there just happen to be some pretty kick-ass wine release events going on that you really shouldn’t miss. I’ll definitely be there! SUNDAY 16 FEB : Anteprima Nobile di Montepulciano 2014 Depart by car from Cortona at 12:00 p.m., lunch is included, return at 4:00 p.m. (lunch & tasting free) WED 19 FEB : Anteprima Chianti Classico 2014 Depart from Cortona at 9:30...

The vendemia (wine harvest) is in full swing in Cortona! In the past few days I’ve had wine tours and the opportunity to visit some of the local wineries and see first hand the wine harvest in full swing.   This is Syrah that has been harvested by hand and is waiting to be taken to the winery to be processed. The cassettes are loaded into the back of a waiting tractor that slowly collects the harvested grapes and within an hour heads...

This week’s Wine, Shine & Dine event in Cortona will feature Tuscan winery Castello di Monsanto,considered to be one of the top producers of traditional Chianti Classico Riserva. There will be a free tasting in front of the Molesini Wine Shop in Piazza Repubblica from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  The wines that will be featured are: Fabrizio Bianchi Chardonnay 2011 IGT Toscana Fabrizio Bianchi Rosato 2011 IGT Toscana Chianti Classico 2010 DOCG...