The Benedictine Monks Are Smiling ~ Their Abby is Now Chianti’s Castello di Meleto… a Wine Company
Wine Philology: Wine History I was the guest of Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. Hosted by Antonia Caserta (sales manager) [PHOTO: Historical image from the Castello di Meleto website] Forget your daddy’s straw basket candle holder, dripping with memories. Castello di Meleto in the Chianti region of Tuscany has gone way upscale sophisticated and […]
Colonnara Viticultori in Cupramontana ~ In the Castelli di Jesi region of Le Marche
[PHOTO: Jo Diaz – Cupramontana Headquarters] To understand wine, first we need understand its culture and people. The first time I wrote that was in 2009, just prior to a trip to Portugal. This thought was just reaffirmed, as I’m newly returned from an Italian adventure, in the epicenter of the Renaissance. This story is about […]
Castello di Meleto: Gaiole in Chianti – Tuscany, The Adventure Begins with a View From the Bluest Sky
[PHOTO: Antonia Caserta of Castello di Meleto. All other images in this story were taken by Jo Diaz] Day 1 – Flew into Rome as a guest of both Castello di Meleto in Gaiole ~ In the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany and Colonnara Viticultori in Cupramontana ~ In the Castelli di Jesi region of Le Marche […]
I’m so old that… Boutique Winery Just Doesn’t Cut It
I remember poodle skirts, bouffant hair, cotton candy, putrid pink, heavy perfume, and it all came under the word “boutique.” That word – boutique – is now fingernails screeching down a blackboard, so when you call your winery a “boutique” winery… Artisan, it’s so sophisticated… It lets the listener know that you take yourself craft […]
Beaujolais News from Georges Dubœuf ~ Beautiful Grapes and Magnificent Vines
I’ve had communications with Georges Dubœuf’s wine company. I’ve had a very insightful phone interview with Franck. For two years in a row, I received a bottle of their Celebration of Beaujolais Day — Beaujolais Nouveau — each year with a very festive, very fun tie to celebrate. They’re so cool. Quintessential is their exclusive US […]
DRINK PINK: A Guide to the World’s Best Rosés ~ by Larry & Ann Walker
PHOTO: Pamela Klein of her new novel 17 Dresses, which is referenced below in my lead-in part of Larry and Ann Walker’s newly released book A Guide to the World’s Best Rosés. A Guide to the World’s Best Rosés ~ by Larry & Ann Walker is a Gap-filling Rosé book; it’s timely, comprehensive, and fun. I’m […]
The Vineyard Economic Symposium ~ Half a Day’s Worth and I Was Running to My Computer
This is a wine blog, not a trade magazine, so my take of Wine Business Monthly’s ~ Vineyard Economic Symposium ~ is really that of being a fly on the wall, not to get the best investment strategy. The room was full of economists, not my average American wine clients or audience. I had to really shift my thinking […]
Stags Leap District ‘Vineyard to Vintner’ Annual Event Wrap-Up
For the past few years, I’ve really looked forward to attending the Stags Leap District ‘Vineyard to Vintner’ annual event . It’s really well planned, executed, and always rewarding for everyone in the process… a day really well spent in Napa Valley. This year of 2018 was no exception. BACKGROUND PRESS RELEASE: Each year, member […]
Limerick Lane Offers History in a Glass and Depth in Structure
Given to me by Jake Bilbro of Limerick Lane Wines… owner, winemaker… to enjoy, and wanted my opinion. PREFACE: THE HEART OF THE DEAL ~ THE WINERY: info is coming from the company’s own statements I can’t make up their history Nor am I to try THE SCIENCE OF THE DEAL ~ WINEMAKING THE SOUL […]
Earth Day in Wine Country – Safari West Celebrates a Party for the Planet
When parents bring their children to wine country, any parent worth his or her salt will make sure to include something for the kids. This is just common sense. Expecting wine educators to also reduce their wine ed to a level of a day camp director, while also informing the wine consumers in a captive […]
