Brunello di Montalcino by Kerin O’Keefe
It’s not too often a single (small) appellation merits an entire book all to itself. After the Brunello-gate scandal of 2008 it probably needs a book all to itself to help restore its reputation. As a long-standing italo-phile and Italy resident, but not a native Italian, O’Keefe’s commentary has an attractive independence of voice.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
The Fortezza di Montepulciano opened its doors in February 2011, after a long restoration, to host the new release tastings of the new vintage releases – 2008 for Nobile and 2007 for Riserva.
IX Selezione dei Vini di Toscana, tasting seminar
Every two years the Tuscans get together for a big wine competition. For this, the ninth Selezione dei Vini di Toscana, judged in November 2010, Jane Hunt MW and oenologist Barbara Tamburini put together ten medal-winning wines for a seminar to highlight what’s happening in Tuscany at the moment.
Poderi Boscarelli – a 20 year retrospective
As part of the anteprima/en primeur tastings in Tuscany during February 2011, Poderi Boscarelli hosted a 20-year retrospective of their wines.
A tasting of Tuscan reds
A tasting of Tuscan reds for a regular but infrequent group.
Under the influence of Carlo Ferrini
Last month in London, heralded consultant winemaker, the Italian Carlo Ferrini, presented some of the wines he’s influenced, and outlined his philosophy.
Australia’s Little Italy
Along with the continuing pinot grigio craze, the buzz around Italian varietals is extending to some rather serious reds, and it is Victoria, with its rich heritage of Italian migrants, that is leading the field on the Australo-Italian front.
Marche reds
One from the archives, but still plenty of relevant content about the red wines of the Marche, which account for about two-thirds of plantings in the region. They tend to get a little lost in the shadow of the region’s more famous white sibling – verdicchio.
