Italy
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Ripasso
The word “Ripasso” literally means ‘re-passed’ in Italian. This term is used to describe a specific winemaking technique that involves a second fermentation process. Originally, this method was developed in the Veneto region of Italy, and it is most commonly associated with Valpolicella wines. After the initial fermentation of the wine, the young wine is…
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Passo del Cardinale Primitivo di Manduria
I recently had the pleasure of trying a Primitivo that has been given an award by Gambero Rosso magazine, a global authority on Italian food, wine and travel. With a rating of 4.1 on Vivino and an impressive 4.3 for its latest 2022 vintage, this wine piqued my interest. Upon tasting, I found it to…
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ASDA Extra Special Soave Classico
This nutty, white wine is from Italy’s Veneto region. Soave is renowned for its delicate smoothness and freshness and it is made primarily with Garganega grapes forming a minimum of 70% of the blend. There are two Soave classifications – Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). The DOC…
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Wines of Vesevo & Fantini Tasting – Campania & Puglia, Italy
The Vesevo & Fantini wine tasting events at Morrish & Banham (M&B) will showcase Italian wines created by Valentine Sciotto. The events will be hosted at M&B’s Dorchester and Bridport locations on 28th and 29th September 2023. The evenings will include an aperitif, canapés and a guided tasting of six wines. Tickets are £25 and…
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Masciarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
With a medium body, this wine has flavours of ripe cherries, accompanied by sweet spices and an enticing whisper of smoke. Under Italian wine regulations, a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wine must contain at least 85% Montepulciano with Sangiovese permitted to make up to 15% of the remaining blend. The wine is required to be aged for…
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Italy’s 2023 Wine Harvest in Jeopardy
Italy’s 2023 wine harvest is projected to decrease by up to 14% due to extreme weather conditions associated with climate change, including intense heat, storms and wildfires, according to agricultural group Coldiretti. An initial forecast predicts a national production of around 43 million hectolitres, down from 50 million in 2022, potentially marking one of the…
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La Masseria Del Borgo Primitivo Manduria
This wine, 2021 vintage, originates from Puglia, Italy and tastes of ripe dark berry fruits, including blackcurrants and black cherries, culminating in a long, satisfying finish. The Primitivo grape expresses itself differently based on the region in which it’s cultivated, with noticeable variations across the key Primitivo DOC areas of Manduria, Gioia del Colle and…
