Wine With Wanda

Sip This: Hey French is a Fine Italian Wine That Will Make You Giggle!

I jokingly call the Pasqua brothers the “Bad Boys of Verona." In reality, Alessandro and Riccardo are absolute gentlemen, but they do love to shake things up. Many people in the wine world talk about experimentation and innovation, but the Pasquas actually do it. Their cheekily named wine, Hey French, You Could Have Made This But You Didn’t ($40), is a perfect example of their wicked sense of humor and commitment to crafting fine wine. 

A blend of mostly Garganega, rounded out with Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon, Hey French is a multi-vintage wine and combines 2013, 2015, 2016, and 2017 – considered the four best vintages of the last decade. The grapes were sourced from the easternmost section of Soave Classico, on the Veronese side of Monte Calvarina. 

You can taste the influence of the rich volcanic soils in this beautifully textured vino. This is no wimpy white wine. Hey French has vibrant flavors of golden apple, quince, lemon zest, chamomile, and a hint of tropical fruit and almond. A touch of salinity really brings the fruit flavors alive and the minerality is tangible. The finish is delightfully long. 

Wondering about the vinification? According to Pasqua, “For each year selected, the vinification of white grapes takes place with maceration on the skins for about 10 hours. Later, alcoholic fermentation is activated with selected yeasts at low temperatures. A partial malolactic fermentation follows with approximately 10% of the product in barriques. The process continues with aging in second-use wood for about 6 months. Then the wine is placed in steel tanks for further refinement.”

Hey French is a cheeky tribute to the French winemakers and regions that inspire the Pasqua brothers. The quirky label was created by French-Cuban artist CB Hoyo. How do the French feel about Hey French? Alessandro Pasqua said, “Luckily, there are many who enjoy a good joke! The first account to take this wine was a Michelin-starred French restaurant!”

I love a creative and beautifully crafted wine with a sense of humor, and Hey French is a winner. The photo of yours truly with the Pasqua brothers is from 2019. Looking forward to tasting again with them one day! 

My Trip Back in Time with Trapiche Malbec

Daniel Pi, Chief Winemaker, Trapiche
image courtesy of Trapiche 

Whenever someone asks what sparked my interest in wine and led me on my current path as a chronicler and enthusiastic student of fermented grapes, I confess that I struggle to offer a short and simple answer. Like many of us, a collection of past experiences shaped my current reality. But if I have to pinpoint one moment that gave me a firm push towards wine, it was meeting winemaker Daniel Pi of Trapiche in 2009.

That fateful day marked the first time I sat with a winemaker and tasted wines they had created. I was captivated as I listened to Daniel speak passionately about Trapiche's vineyards in Mendoza (Argentina), the influence of the Andes on the Malbec grapes, and how barrels shape the flavor profile of the wines. At that moment, I realized how much I didn't know about wine, and I left that meeting with Daniel, inspired to learn more.

It's hard to believe that eleven years have passed since that meeting, but a few months ago, I finally had the chance to tell Daniel the impact he had made in my life. Trapiche's USA-based public relations agency reconnected us for a tasting over Zoom. Founded in 1883, Trapiche is a household name in Argentina, and Daniel has been their chief winemaker for almost 18 years. Yes, he's a big deal, but Daniel was as down-to-earth and engaging as I remembered.

image courtesy of Trapiche 

During our conversation, we tasted two of Trapiche's single-vineyard Malbec wines -- Finca Coletto 2017 and Finca Ambrosia 2017. Created to honor Trapiche's grape growers, these special bottles retail for about $50 each. The Coletto and Ambrosia vineyards are only five miles apart, but because of differences in soil types and micro-climates, the grapes produce two very different expressions of Malbec.


The Malbec vines for Coletto are about 50 years old. Juicy with soft tannins and a hint of spice, Daniel recommends Coletto as a great match with pasta.


The Malbec vines for Ambrosia were planted about 18 years ago. More mineral and chalky with a hint of herbs, this Malbec pairs perfectly with a juicy steak.

For people who mistakenly think that Malbec is a one-dimensional wine, these terroir-driven wines are important reminders of Malbec's capacity for many different expressions. Daniel says that when people ask him what's next for Argentina after Malbec, he says, "More Malbec!"

Trapiche will always be a sentimental favorite, but there's a reason why they are one of Argentina's most esteemed producers -- they make great wine! If you want to better understand the full range of Malbec, Trapiche's extensive portfolio features well-crafted wines in a range of styles and price points. And I look forward to the day that I can visit their winery in Mendoza and share a bottle of Trapiche Malbec with Daniel. 

The Charming "Bad" Boys of Verona: The Pasqua Brothers Break the Rules to Make Great Wines

Brothers, business partners, and the nicest bad boys you'll ever meet, Alessandro and Riccardo Pasqua. 

Brothers Alessandro and Riccardo Pasqua are rebels with an admirable cause: save a historic family winery that was floundering. Disruptive in the best sense of the word, when they took charge of Pasqua Vigneti e Cantine in 2014, they knew that defying convention would be the secret to their success. And they were right. Under their leadership, Pasqua has been garnering attention and accolades for their innovative and high-quality wines. 

In 1925, the first generation of Pasqua brothers ventured from their homeland of Apulia in the south of Italy to prosperous Verona, in the northern Veneto region. Alessandro and Riccardo represent the third-generation and their creativity and business savvy have taken Pasqua to new heights. “I’d like to make Pasqua the 'Ambassador of Italian cool,’ the coolest, most disruptive winemaker in Italy, with wineries located in all the iconic areas of the country,” said Riccardo, the elder brother and CEO, or more accurately, Disruptor-in-Chief of the company. Alessandro, co-owner and VP of the Americas, oversees the US market from NYC.  

Founded in the 1st century BC and forever famous as the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, beautiful Verona is steeped in history and tradition. One of Italy's most important winemaking regions; its rolling hills outside of the city center are the cradle of Amarone and Soave wines. Pasqua had everything they needed to succeed but Riccardo said, "When I joined Pasqua in 2007, the winery was struggling: Year after year we were losing market share, and a divided board of two against two didn’t help. Plus, in the U.S. we were doing nothing.” My how times have changed -- Pasqua wines are now available in more than 50 countries and the US is their biggest market. 


Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento Bianco Veneto IGT 2017 ($16) is the perfect starting point for understanding Pasqua's unconventional approach to winemaking. The Valpolicella region is renowned for majestic and unique Amarone wine - a robust red made from dried grapes. Pasqua applies that drying technique, known as appassimento, to Garganega grapes to create this sensational white wine. Garganega is the grape used to make the region's traditional Soave wine, so Romeo and Juliet pays a nod to both traditions in a deliciously disruptive fashion. The drying process concentrates the flavors of the grapes and this wine balances that richness with freshness. The wine is round and luscious with great acidity and beautiful citrus and tropical flavors with a hint of almond and cream. Dedicated to Verona's status as a romantic city, the colorful label pays homage to Shakespeare's ill-fated lovers and the messages left by visitors to Verona at Juliet’s house on Cappello Street. 


Romeo & Juliet Passione Sentimento Rosso Veneto IGT 2017 ($16) beautifully melds tradition and modernity. Corvina, one of the traditional Amarone grapes, is blended with Croatina and Merlot. A portion of the Merlot and Corvina is dried (appassimento) in small crates in the fruttaio, an airy room above the cellar, to concentrate their sugars and fruits. This rich juice is then blended with that of the non-dried grapes. The end result of this incredibly intricate winemaking technique is a juicy red with velvety tannins and bold cherry and plum flavors with a kiss of spice and mint. It truly over-delivers for $16! 



The best Amarone wines balance power and richness with grace  -- Mai Dire Mai Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG 2011 ($100) hits the mark. Mai Dire Mai translates to 'never say never'. A blend of dried Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella, and Oseleta grapes from mineral-rich soils, the robust nature of the wine is balanced by refreshing acidity. Bold dark berry flavors are balanced by lively acidity and kisses of chocolate, clove, espresso, and herbs. Sultry and superb! 

Mom always told me to stay away from bad boys but even she would approve of the Pasqua brothers. Their commitment to family and crafting unique but authentic wines is admirable. After our meeting, I certainly felt inspired to continue following my passions. On my next trip to Verona, I'll be sure to pay Pasqua winery a visit. I know my visit will have a happier ending than Romeo and Juliet! 

Five Fabulous Italian White Wines That Aren't Pinot Grigio!

Is Pinot Grigio your go-to Italian white wine? Well, the time has come to shake things up and explore some other varietals! Italy has a seemingly endless selection of expressive and refreshing white wines. Get out of your Pinot Grigio rut and give one of these five beauties a swirl. 


Bertani "Sereole" Soave DOC ($15.99)
Ah, Soave! I love the sound of it and the taste even more! Produced from the Garganega grape, this luscious sip from the Veneto region is bursting with aroma, flavor, and texture. Elegant yet unpretentious, this vino's juicy flavors of pineapple and melon are balanced by refreshing crispness and acidity. 

Puiatti "Lus" Ribolla Gialla ($22.99)
Puiatti is renowned for their superb un-oaked white wines that elegantly express the terroir of the Friuli region in northeast Italy. Lus means light and this expression of the indigenous Ribolla Gialla grape shimmers in the glass and sparks the palate with fresh flavors of chamomile, zesty acidity, and a hint of herbs.  

Velenosi "Villa Angela" Pecorino Offida DOCG ($15)
This elegant sip from the Marche region shares the same name as Italy's famous Pecorino cheese but there's nothing cheesy about this vino. A lovely expression of the Pecorino grape, Villa Angela delights the palate with balanced fruit, floral, tropical, and mineral flavors.  

Cecchi "La Mora" Vermentino DOC 2014 ($19.99)
Sip the Tuscan sun with this joyful Vermentino from the coastal Maremma region. You can taste the coastal influences in its subtle hint of salinity and crunchy minerality that accentuate the exuberant flavors of citrus, chamomile, honeysuckle and nectarine with a bit of white pepper on the finish. 

Tabarrini Adarmando ($19)
The Trebbiano Spoletino grape gets the spotlight in this superb sip from the hills of Sagrantino in Umbria. Medium-bodied and juicy with exuberant flavors of peach and a touch of citrus. Tastes like summer!  

Sipping Santi: Classic Italian Wines with Contemporary Finesse

Cristian Ridolfi is guiding Italy's historic Santi winery towards the future.

When your winery's origins can be traced back to 1843, tradition isn't just a catchphrase - it's a way of life. But Crisitian Ridolfi, director of winemaking at Santi, knows that tradition without innovation can lead to irrelevance and he is firmly guiding the winery towards the future.



Ridolfi and his team at Santi are committed to respecting the ways of the past while making changes without fear. Situated in the heart of Italy's acclaimed wine growing zones in the Veneto near Lake Garda, Santi has modernized their winery and is experimenting with new techniques to produce the very best expressions of their classic wines. The proof is in the sip and from a vibrant Pinot Grigio to a luxurious Amarone, the Santi wines that I tasted with Cristian impressed me with their elegance and modernity.


Santi Sortesele Pinot Grigio and Infinito Rosé both paired beautifully with this seafood salad at TBar Steak & Lounge in Manhattan. 

With so much lackluster Pinot Grigio flooding the market, getting excited about this ubiquitous white wine can be a challenge, but I am happy to report that Santi Sortesele Pinot Grigio 2015 ($16) has flavor and personality! Aromas of pears, exotic fruits, and wildflowers wafting from the glass let you know that Sortesele is no bland Pinot Grigio. On the palate, this luscious vino is juicy and full with lively acidity and a lovely lingering finish. 



Santi Infinito Rosé 2015 ($15) is a delicious reminder that Rosé isn't just for the summer. A blend of Corvina (65%), Rondinella (30%), and Molinara (5% ); Infinito balances ripe flavors of cherries & blackcurrants with savory herbal notes that make it a great match with everything from seafood to pasta. 


Santi Solane Valpolicella Classico Superiore DOC 2013 ($17)
Made in the ripasso method, this blend of Corvina (70%) and Rondinella (30%) gets an extra boost of richness when grape skins and pomace from Santi's Amarone are added to the vats to trigger a second fermentation. The end result is an extremely delicious, medium-bodied, dry red wine with soft tannins and flavors of ripe cherries balanced by a touch of spice and earth. 



Santi Amarone della Valpolicella DOC 2011 ($49)
Ah, Amarone, there is no other wine quite like it. Santi harvests the grapes when they reach full ripeness and then dries them for about 3 months to increase the sugar content and concentration of flavors. Amarone is by nature a rich and intense wine but Santi Amarone also displays grace and vibrancy. A blend of Corvina (65%), Rondinella (30%), and Molinara (5%), Santi Amarone cloaks the palate with velvety flavors of plums, figs, cinnamon, cloves, and a touch of toasted almonds. A perfect wine to pair with rich roasts & meats and to share with someone special on a chilly night. 

Sipping Pretty: Torresella Prosecco

Extra dry and extra delicious, Torresella Prosecco NV DOC ($16) received a rare thumbs up from a very picky friend who constantly proclaims that she isn't a huge fan of the famous sparkling wine from Italy's Veneto region. Her biggest Prosecco complaint is that she often finds it too sweet and lacking in complexity. I agree that mass-produced Prosecco can leave much to be desired, but in the right hands Prosecco is a really charming wine with an unpretentious elegance. Torresella is a truly delightful Prosecco that balances the subtle sweetness (pear, melon, green apple) of the Glera grape with great minerality. Fine bubbles and a lingering finish make Torresella the perfect sip when you want bubbles without breaking the bank.