Tag Archives: Italy

9 Late Llama Wine Posts

Back in 2013 when I started this blog (has it been that long?), I did so because I needed to get faster and better at recording WSET tasting notes in anticipation of Diploma exams. My theory at the time was … Continue reading

Posted in BC, Burgundy, France, Italy, OTHER, RED, Red, SPIRITS, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bacca Nera/Red Blend, Scappatello, Cantina Diubaldo, Cerasuolo D’Abruzzo DOC, Abruzzo, Italy, 13% abv., 2022, US$17

Azienda Agricola Diubaldo is located near Teramo, Abruzzo, Italy – just north of where we travelled in August 2022, and to the east of the Grand Sasso d’Italia, aka the Apennines (right). They produce some pretty awesome certified organic wines … Continue reading

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Charity fundraising tasting

During Cov*d, I offered a wine tasting with paired hors d’oeuvres to a local Rotary Club fundraiser for the Victoria Hospice Society in the memory of my father-in-law, Ken, who spent his last days there. Of course, because of Cov*d, … Continue reading

Posted in cabernet sauvignon, Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, California, France, Grenache / Garnacha, Italy, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Petite Sirah, Plavac Mali, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Zinfandel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Velenosi, DOC, Classico, Italia, 2021, 12.5% abv., C$27

Verdicchio, the name of the grape used for this wine made in Le Marche, is often referred to as ‘the little green one’.  The wines produced tend to be crisp and powerful with great acidity and minerality. Verdicchio is grown … Continue reading

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Pecorino, Colline Pescaresi, Azienda Agricola Tiberio, Pecorino IGT, Cugnoli, Abruzzo, Italia, 2021, abv. 14%

In 1999, when Cristiana Tiberio’s father Riccardo discovered this property and its rare Trebbiano Abruzzese vines in the middle-of-nowhere Abruzzo, emptied his bank accounts to buy it, and replanted most of it with Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, more Trebbiano Abruzzese, Pecorino and … Continue reading

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Verdicchio, Misco Riserva, Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG Classico, Tenuta di Tavignano, Ancona, Marche, Italia, 2017, 13.5% abv.

Tenuta di Tavignano is located in a valley above the Musone River which flows between the Apiennes and the Adriatic on Italy’s hamstring. Cingoli, known as the ‘balcony of the Marche’ since medieval times is just up the road, and … Continue reading

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Sangiovese, Vigna Piuca, Azienda Agricola Castellinuzza e Piuca, Chianti Classico DOCG, Gran Selezione, Greve in Chianti, Toscana, Italia, 2017, 14% abv.

I liked colleagues Melanie and Giuseppe right away.  I had booked a premier tasting at the Casa Chianti Classico in Radda to learn more about the structure of Chianti Classico.  We connected quickly over a conversation about Canadian fish and … Continue reading

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Sangiovese, Occhio di Pernice, Avignonesi Winery, Vin Santo di Montepulciano DOC, Montepulciano, Toscana, Italia, 2005, 12.5% abv, 50 € (100 ml)

Before we travelled to Italy, I had planned a casual visit to the Avignonesi Winery, imagining I’d simply enjoy some Vino Nobile di Montepulciano on the patio enroute from Perugia to Greve.  I had enjoyed their wine before in Canada, … Continue reading

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Sangiovese, Podere Scopetone, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Montalcino, Toscana, Italia, 2017, 14% abv.

We met with Loredana Tanganelli and her daughter Giada at Podere Scopetone on the outskirts of the old walled Tuscan town of Montalcino. Loredana and husband Antonio Brandi have owned the petite estate of only about 2.5 hectares since 2009 … Continue reading

Posted in Italy, RED, Sangiovese Grosso (Biondi-Santi) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ciliegiolo, Silio, Tenuta Montauto, Maremma di Toscana DOC, Manciano, Grosseto, Toscana, Italia, 2021, 13.5% abv.

We arrived at the cellar door tasting room of Tenuta Montauto in the Maremma di Toscana DOC north of Rome after 26 hours of travelling and little sleep. Bleary eyed and compressed, I perked up considerably when we decided to … Continue reading

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