Minerality and quince Dolcetto D’Alba punched the palate While Pinotage Rosé dumped tar and compost Our bags were [.]. MORE >>

Luca Roagna makes an array of wines from a solid dolcetto all the way up to the impossible to find Crichet Paje. The dolcetto, which retails for about $20, is very pretty. It’s the time of year when distributors and/or importers have annual (or semi-annual) portfolio tastings. Below are a few impressions and photos. Quite fun. MORE >>

From Piemonte, Bricco delle Lepri translates from Italian: Jug of Hares. like the name, but the wine? love it! Had it by the glass at Eataly tonight, bright strawberry, sour cherries, cocoa, oak, red berries, and herbs, tannins talkin' to me, all good. The color really impressed me too, really deep reddish purple and almost completely opaque MORE >>

Thanksgiving phobia set in shortly after puberty when the parents were in their High Ball days. Wine was the provenance of Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Turkey belonged to watered down bourbon. There were deaths, including the dog Becky, a gorgeous creature who insisted on kicking me out of my bed and claiming my pillow. MORE >>

It originates in Savoie, where it is known as Corbeau or Douce Noir ("Sweet Black"), but is not the same as Piedmont's Dolcetto. Dolcetto ripens early and makes a light, fruity wine, while Charbono is very late to ripen and makes wines of great substance. Medium bodied with aromas of ripe red berries, and a forest floor lushness. MORE >>