Lambrusco is a fantastic thirst quencher during these steamy summer days. Pop a cork on a bottle of Lini 910and discover why these fizzy & chilled red wines from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy are so special. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with fourth-generation vintner Alicia Lini on Instagram Live.
Alicia's great-grandfather founded the winery in 1910 and Lini 910 is celebrated for their fresh, food-friendly, and traditional dry style of Lambrusco -- the complete antithesis of those sticky sweet Lambrusco wines that flooded the market in the 1970s and 80s. Lini 910 is also very innovative, and their portfolio includes rosé and white Lambrusco. From pasta to pizza, burgers to BBQ, a perfectly chilled glass of Lini 910 Lambrusco pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods, including Emilia-Romagna's famous delicacies like Prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Watch the video above, on IGTV, or YouTube to learn more. During our chat, we tasted Lini 910 “Labrusca” Lambrusco Rosé ($17)and Lini 910 “Labrusca” Lambrusco Rosso ($17).
"Wine is a matter of personal search. People should not be shy and should go their own way. Sometimes I have friends bringing me a bottle of wine coming from another village, another region, and it's always fun to discover. Don't be shy. You don't have to be educated to appreciate wine. Listen to your feelings, your sense, your palate. Wine is not complicated. Wine is a matter of pleasure. Don't make it more complicated than it is."
- Philippe Pascal, Owner, Domaine du Cellier aux Moines
I must confess that I approached my recent Instagram Live chat with Philippe Pascal, owner of Domaine du Cellier aux Moines, with a bit of trepidation. In addition to my worries about my very shaky pronunciation of French, I wondered if the owner of a prestigious Burgundy estate might be too serious for the inherent goofiness and spontaneity of Instagram Live. Well, I am happy to say that my fears were unfounded. Down-to-earth, funny, knowledgeable, and passionate, Phillipe was a fascinating guest. And he was completely unbothered by the honks and sirens wafting in from my busy Manhattan street!
In 2004, Philippe, and his wife Catherine, left the corporate world behind and purchased Domaine du Cellier aux Moines. Founded in 1130 by Cistercian monks, over the centuries, the monks survived wars and plagues and produced wines that graced the tables of royalty and popes. When Catherine and Philippe purchased the property, it was in danger of disappearing, and they meticulously restored the estate’s ancient buildings and wine cellar.
For fans of Pinot Noir, Burgundy represents the crème de la crème, and the wines are loved for their authentic sense of place, elegance, and longevity. But my conversation with Philippe reminded me that Burgundy is not a monolith. Domaine du Cellier aux Moines is located in the Côte Chalonnaise, in Givry, an area that Philippe describes as underappreciated.
I encourage you to watch the video above, on IGTV, or YouTube. Philippe engagingly weaves historical facts with his personal journey. And his charming daughter Margot even joined us on camera occasionally and showed me their gorgeous vineyards. And if you want to learn even more, pour yourself a glass while reading Nine Centuries in the Heart of Burgundy: The Cellier Aux Moines and Its Vineyards, which was co-authored by Philippe.
While chatting, we sipped Clos du Cellier aux Moines, Givry Premier Cru 2017 ($65). 100% Pinot Noir, as all wines classified as red Burgundy are, this is a voluptuous, complex, and captivating red wine. Far from austere but still extremely elegant, this unfiltered red is full of life and character.
I recently had the pleasure of traveling through my wine glass to Argentina with Patricia Ortiz, President and Owner of Tapiz, Zolo, and Wapisa wineries. A true renaissance woman, Patricia is an avid art collector and former nephrologist. Patricia traded in hospital life for the vineyard, and now she strives for both artistic and scientific excellence in winemaking. Truly a force to be reckoned with, in 2019, Patricia became the first woman President of Bodegas de Argentina.
Tapiz and Zolo wineries are both located in Mendoza, but during our chat, we focused on Wapisa. Located just 25 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, on the banks of the Río Negro, Wapisa is the only winery that exists in this Argentine Patagonian terroir. Wapisa means “whale” in the indigenous language of the Yamanas who used to inhabit the nearby archipelago of Tierra del Fuego. While chatting with Patricia, I tasted Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Wapisa Pinot Noir 2018, and Wapisa Malbec 2017. You can taste the coastal influence in the freshness of these wines. Taking full advantage of their proximity to the ocean, Patricia shared that Wapisa is also experimenting with cellaring wines underwater! To learn more about Patricia and her winemaking philosophy, watch the video above or on IGTV or YouTube. Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ($14.99) "With its distinctive, vivid aromas and zesty acidity, Wapisa Sauvignon Blanc expresses the complexity of the soil and the sea breezes of the Atlantic Patagonia region. Inviting whiffs of citrus and delicate white flowers with a touch of fresh ginger and sea-breeze. On the palate, flavors of pink grapefruit and kafir lime come together with tropical guava to create a refreshing and utterly unique wine."
Wapisa Pinot Noir 2018 ($21.99) "Aromas of strawberries and fresh raspberries, with notes of rose petals and cherries. On the palate, it is fresh and delicate, with firm tannins of silky texture."
Wapisa Malbec 2017 ($21.99) "Bright red color with intense violet tints. Aromas of red fruits such as black cherries and mineral touches stand out. Spicy and vanilla aromas are provided by the oak. On the palate, it presents mature tannins and a balanced acidity."
During these seemingly endless days of social distancing and closed borders, virtual wine tastings have provided me with much needed moments of bliss. On Instagram Live, I've had the opportunity to connect with wine industry friends around the globe. I recently had a chance to share wine and conversation through cyberspace with someone that I've long admired, Camilla Lunelli, Proprietor and Communication & PR Director for Ferrari Trento/Lunelli Group. Camilla's family produces one of my favorite wines, Ferrari Trentodoc. Our conversation was especially poignant for me because it was less than a year ago that I visited Ferrari's vineyards in Trentino, in the northeast of Italy. Given the state of the world, who knows when travel will be prudent again? Traveling through our wine glass is more fulfilling than ever.
During our conversation, we sipped Ferrari Brut Rosé, a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Camilla also shared tasting notes on their superb 100% Chardonnay Ferrari Brut. Watch the video above, on IGTV, or YouTube.
Founded in 1902 by Giulio Ferrari, Ferrari is the most awarded and renowned producer of one of Italy's finest wines: Trentodoc. Inspired by Champagne, Ferrari was determined to show the world that Italy could produce elegant sparkling wines with character and complexity. Recognizing that the soil and climate of Trentino provided the ideal conditions for his venture, Ferrari made Italy's first significant plantings of Chardonnay. The name Trentodoc cleverly combines Trento, the wine's city of origin, with DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata), an official designation used to classify Italian wines. Produced in the same labor-intensive manner as Champagne, Trentodoc's bubbles are created by a second fermentation in the bottle. Known as sparkling wine from the mountains, the altitude and climate of the Dolemites have a positive and magical impact on the grapes. Elegant, refreshing, and with an authentic sense of place, Ferrari Trentodoc is something special!
Ferrari Brut Trentodoc ($27.99) was my dazzling introduction to Trentodoc and never fails to impress me. Consistently crisp and clean, this 100% Chardonnay bubbly has the perfect balance between fresh flavors of citrus and apple with a hint of bready yeast.
Ferrari Brut Rosé Trentodoc ($36.99) is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay. Its vibrant red fruit flavors and warm yeasty notes make it a very versatile food pairing. Try it with fish, poultry, and even pizza!
"People tasting wines at home seem to interpret wines in a different way. Maybe it's because they're surrounded by the usual tastes and aromas. And maybe it's also because they're more relaxed. They tend to sense wine a lot better and I think that's important."
- Count Francesco Marone Cinzano
It isn't everyday that you get to beam a count into your living room for a wine tasting, but thanks to technology, that's exactly what I did! The charming and erudite Count Francesco Marone Cinzano recently joined me on Instagram Live for a tasting of his beautiful Col d'OrciaBrunello di Montalcino. Col d’Orcia means “the hill overlooking the Orcia River” and it is one of the original estates of Montalcino -- its rich winemaking history dates back to the 1700s. Committed to sustainability, Col d’Orcia is now the largest certified organic estate in Tuscany and they poetically refer to themselves as an organic island.
Joining the Instagram Live chat from the vineyard, Count Cinzano shared tasting notes on Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 ($55) and Col d’Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2013 ($150). Both wines are a pure, powerful, and elegant expression of 100% Sangiovese. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Count Cinzano is offering wine lovers around the world to join him online for a guided Smart Tastingfrom the comfort of their homes. He loves the input that he receives from these tastings and says "People tasting wines at home seem to interpret wines in a different way. Maybe it's because they're surrounded by the usual tastes and aromas. And maybe it's also because they're more relaxed. They tend to sense wine a lot better and I think that's important."
Col d’Orcia Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2015 ($55) Aged three years in oak casks and another year in bottle before release, this 2015 may be young by Brunello standards but it is remarkably approachable and balanced. Over time it will reveal even more complexity, but 2015 is an exceptional Five Star Vintage and the wine is singing beautifully now. Classic and fresh with a kiss of spice.
Col d’Orcia Poggio al Vento Brunello di Montalcino Riserva DOCG 2013 ($150) During our chat, Count Cinzano shared that this was the first certified organic vintage of this Brunello di Montalcino Riserva. The wine is aged a minimum of six years prior to release; four years in Slavonian and French oak casks followed by at least two years refinement in bottle. This wine is an excellent example of the aging potential of a meticulously crafted Brunello di Montalcino. This wine will reveal even more nuance and finesse in the decades to come but right now it is superb. Intense and graceful with impeccable balance.
When it’s safe to travel again, Sicily is definitely a place I want to revisit. Until that day arrives, I was delighted to travel through my wine glass with Alessio Planeta, owner of Planeta winery in Sicily. Planeta’s authentic and award-winning wines showcase the diversity and beauty of Sicilian wine. Not just one winery or vineyard, Planeta encompasses six distinct wine estates across Sicily, each one inspired and constructed in harmony with its surroundings and dedicated to its terroir. During our conversation, we tasted 2017 Eruzione 1614 ($35), 2018 Cerasuolo di Vittoria ($25), and 2016 Santa Cecilia Nero d’Avola ($44).
Watch the video below, on YouTube or IGTV to learn more!
90% Carricante and 10% Riesling. Crisp and zesty with great minerality and salinity. You can really taste the influence of Mt. Etna's volcanic soils.
60% Nero d’Avola and 40% Frappato. Cerasuolo di Vittoria is Sicily's only DOCG wine. Fresh and fruity frappato blends beautifully with the bolder and more intense Nero d'Avola. Vibrant flavors of wild fruits, strawberries, cherry, and pomegranate with a kiss of black pepper.
100% Nero d'Avola. Rich and bold, but not jammy, this elegant vino has beautiful layers of rich fruit, earth, and spice flavors.
In a world full of fads and gimmicks, there's something reassuring about the classics. And what could be more classic than Bordeaux? I always chuckle when people discuss red blends as if they were some new-fangled invention. Bordeaux, located in the southwest of France, long ago mastered the art of the blend. And one of Bordeaux's most iconic wineries is Château Phélan Ségur. Located in the Saint-Estèphe appellation, they are acclaimed for the beauty, balance, and longevity of their wines.
I recently had the pleasure of learning more about Château Phélan Ségur's fascinating history and winemaking philosophy in an Instagram Live chat with their managing director, Véronique Dausse. Founded in the 19th century, the estate has been owned by only 4 different families. Watch our conversation and tasting on YouTubeorIGTV.
During our chat, I sipped Château Phélan Ségur 2016. A blend of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot, it is beautifully balanced and vivacious with aromas and flavors of blackberry, plum, cherry and strawberry, with sassy hints of licorice and toast. Available for around $70.