Tasting Evening – Benvenuti a Palermo!
Thursday October 1st 2009 at 20h30

Tasting of 6 wines Sicilian + meal: 30 € / person!

Places limited. Call to reserve at 02 40 47 96 30 or email armelmichenaud@yahoo.fr.

List of wines to be tasted during the evening:
• Marsala Martinez
• Note Chiara 2008; Feotto dello Jato
• Etna Rosso, 2008; Firriato
• Syrah, 2008; Cusumano
• Sangue d’Oro, 2006; Carole Bouquet
• 651; 2006, Terre di Ginestra
For the more adventurous, a limoncello (always Sicily) will be offered.
A bientôt!
The CasaVino team.

Every weekend from August to October the “Strada dei Vini” proposes
a visit to the cellars between Orvieto and Amelia.
With wine tasting and sampling of typical local products in the
suggestive landscape and flavours of Umbrian tradition.

Wine tasting: €10 per person

Wine and oil tasting: €13 per person

discounts on the company products for all the participants
Transportation can be organised, with collection from wherever you are staying
IMPORTANT DATES
ven 14-ago pm 16.00 Cantina Custodi Canale di Orvieto
9.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
sab 15-ago am
11.00 Azienda Zanchi Amelia
OLIO
VINO
sab 15-ago pm 16.00 Azienda Scambia Allerona Scalo
dom 16-ago am 10.30 Azienda di Corbara Corbara di Orvieto
ven 21-ago pm 16.00 Tenuta Vitalonga Ficulle
sab 22-ago am 10.30 Cantina Custodi Canale di Orvieto
16.00 Azienda Le Crete Giove
sab 22-ago pm
18.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
OLIO
VINO
dom 23-ago am 10.30 Azienda Argillae Allerona Scalo
16.00 Azienda Zanchi Amelia
ven 28-ago pm
18.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
OLIO
VINO
sab 29-ago am 10.30 Azienda Scambia Allerona Scalo
sab 29-ago pm 16.00 Azienda di Corbara Corbara di Orvieto
dom 30-ago am 10.30 Tenuta Corini Montegabbione
ven 04-set pm 16.00 Cantina Custodi Canale di Orvieto
9.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
sab 05-set am
11.00 Azienda Zanchi Amelia
OLIO
VINO
sab 05-set pm 16.00 Azienda Argillae Allerona Scalo
9.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
dom 06-set am
11.00 Azienda Le Crete Giove
OLIO
VINO
ven 11-set pm 16.00 Azienda Scambia Allerona Scalo
sab 12-set am 10.30 Azienda di Corbara Corbara di Orvieto
sab 12-set pm 16.00 Tenuta Corini Montegabbione
dom 13-set am 10.30 Tenuta Vitalonga Ficulle
16.00 Azienda Le Crete Giove
ven 18-set pm
18.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
OLIO
VINO
sab 19-set am 10.30 Azienda Argillae Allerona Scalo
16.00 Azienda Zanchi Amelia
sab 19-set pm
18.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
OLIO
VINO
dom 20-set am 10.30 Azienda Scambia Allerona Scalo
ven 25-set pm 16.00 Azienda di Corbara Corbara di Orvieto
sab 26-set am 10.30 Tenuta Corini Montegabbione
sab 26-set pm 16.00 Tenuta Vitalonga Ficulle
dom 27-set am 10.30 Cantina Custodi Canale di Orvieto
ven 02-ott pm 16.00 Azienda Argillae Allerona Scalo
9.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
sab 03-ott am
11.00 Azienda Zanchi Amelia
OLIO
VINO
sab 03-ott pm 16.00 Azienda Scambia Allerona Scalo
dom 04-ott am 10.30 Azienda di Corbara Corbara di Orvieto
ven 09-ott pm 16.00 Tenuta Corini Montegabbione
sab 10-ott am 10.30 Tenuta Vitalonga Ficulle
sab 10-ott pm 16.00 Cantina Custodi Canale di Orvieto
9.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
dom 11-ott am
11.00 Azienda Le Crete Giove
OLIO
VINO
16.00 Azienda Zanchi Amelia
ven 16-ott pm
18.30 Al Vecchio Frantoio Montecchio
OLIO
VINO
sab 17-ott am 10.30 Azienda Scambia Allerona Scalo
sab 17-ott pm 16.00 Azienda di Corbara Corbara di Orvieto
dom 18-ott am 10.30 Tenuta Corini Montegabbione
Info: Effegi Viaggi, Via Garibaldi 7 – Orvieto
Tel. 0763.34.46.66

• Abbazia Santa Anastasia (Sicily)
• Planeta (Sicily)
• Firriato (Sicily)
• Sedilesu (Sardinia)
• Feudi di San Marzano (Puglia

The evening will begin around 20:30, and the package for 8 wines with Italian specialties is 30 € all included.
Some notes on the regions visited:
Puglia: unknown region (the heel) is a major region in terms of quantity of wine produced, making it a key pillar of the economy of the area. Even if the quantity is not always the quality, the bulk of production is intended for development of table wine, more and more producers are working to offer quality wines, particularly around indigenous varietals 2 red, primitivo and Negroamaro.
Sicily: the Sicilian wine quality, less unknown, having long been geared towards producing a wine meant to be turned into an "international taste" (with high concentrations in particular), now appears to be heading towards the development of wine most representative of the soil of the island. The Nero d’Avola, wine from the same grape variety, is perhaps the best known of all, except for the wine that is mutated marsala.
Sardinia: this region is probably not at the forefront of the revival of Italian wine, initiated by Tuscany in 70 years, together more or less delayed by almost all other Italian regions. Sardinia a little slow to follow this trail – which is more lucrative than producing large returns. But, as often is the will of the producer who will create a good wine, and the Sardinian region have enough potential, it is not impossible to find excellent wines on the island, particularly in RFSO Cannonau di Sardegna (the grenache Cannonau being French).

CasaVino
18, rue de Briord
44000 Nantes
Tél. : 0240479630
Port. : 0678225596
Site de vente en ligne : www.casavino.fr

Umani Ronchi – one of the most famous and prestigious wineries in the Marche and Italy – presents to our readers a noble selection of its best wines, from Pecorino to Verdicchio, from Lacrima di Morro d’Alba to Montepulciano reserve Cumaro and, dulcis in fundo, the excellent Maximo, produced with grapes from noble enriched Botrytis Cinerea.

Pecorino Vellodoro 2007

Brisée with Prosciutto, Radicchio, walnuts and Brie

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore Casal di Serra 2007

Taglierini with Clams and Saffron

Lacrima di Morro d’Alba Fonte del Re 2007

Gnocchi with Tomato in Scent of marjoram and Pecorino di Norcia

Rosso Conero Riserva Cumaro 2005

Roast pork glazed with Honey and Orange Ginger and Mashed Carrots

Maximo 2004

Strudel Apricots and Almonds

Participation fee € 28.00

The tasting will be closed and the reservation is mandatory. The event will set up tables for up to 8 people. Reservations for more than 8 will be distributed in separate tables, each of which consists of a maximum of 8 participants.
For reservations and information:
DiWineTaste.com
DiWineTaste – Telephone +39 075 5280939

My last glass of Italian wine shall be taken beside a beach. The sea will be wide and blue, waves flowing in and out gently.

The waves are listening.

The sand on which I sit will be fine – made pink from tiny crystallized shells that in their death, left a beautiful visual legacy.

Rocking chairs are not allowed on the beach. But I am defiant. I rock in my chair, naked, the sand giving way, welcoming the curved tattoos the chair makes. When the moon seduces the waves to sway to shore with more vigour, the waves will taste the curved imprint left hours ago.

My wine glass shall be made out of rainbow thread, dashed hopes and recycled dreams.

A sea lion shall waddle onto shore and pop a purple oyster into my glass.

I’ll smile.

A mermaid shall follow with a bottle of wine made from 700 Sangiovese grapes. Looking happy, but looking sad (for me), she will fill my glass, kiss me on the fingertip, then go back to sea with the sea lion. A couple madly in love.

I am alone.

But I am not lonely.

I need no-one for company.

Nature is enough. Almost.

For every sip I take, I shall look out to sea for reassurance.

For every sip I take, I shall pour one drop onto the pink sand.

Until there are no sips left to be had.

I shall place my finger in the glass and lick the remnants of Italy.

The glass belongs to the sea now.

The glass belongs to the sea.

When the moon seduces the waves to sway to shore with more vigour, the waves will taste the curved imprint left hours ago.

(img by: jurvetson)

I had to blink a few times to make sure I wasn’t getting the zeros mixed up.

The tour includes a helicopter ride to Bolgheri to explore the vineyards and cellars where Ornellaia wine is produced; a trip to the mansion where Brunello wine is made as well as lunch and exclusive wine-tasting in both areas, some which haven’t been tasted by the public before.

Erm, ok. Does that include hotel accommodation as well? Or is that separate?

I wouldn’t spend ₤10k on a wine tour – no way – no matter how exclusive it was, not even if they served me wine with sediments made out of gold floating at the bottom of the bottle. (though if they threw in a night with George Clooney, thick walls and copious amounts of tiramisu and Sangiovese wine, I might be tempted. Possibly.)

I don’t have the money, anyway …and if I did, I’d hope a good friend would talk some sense into me (or whoop me upside the head) if I ever decided to whip out that amount for a wine tour. Don’t get me wrong, I like Italian wine, I’m interested in its history and the names sound so beautiful to me, but would I spend that much on a tour?

No.

Would you?

My father is an ex-accountant, so maybe it’s that side of my genes talking. Also, mild-to-heavy sarcasm is my way of addressing situations I deem to be utterly frivolous and ridiculous, so pay me no mind. If you can afford the tour, then good for you, go for it. Bring me back a souvenir, like a grape or something.

Ciao!

(img by: luismi1985)

The film is also about relationships as the California-based winemaker struggles with his relationship with his son who doesn’t seem to be pulling his weight. He also has the added pressure of creditors breathing down his neck.

The wine shop owner in Paris, in an attempt to revive his business, decides to hold a competition between French wines and Californian wines (known as ‘The Judgment of Paris tasting’).

Back then (in 1976), Californian wines were just finding their feet and weren’t on the map whilst French wines were a lot more established. There was no comparison. French wines were going to win hands down. You can’t run with the big boys.

Or so they thought.

The Californian wine maker won the competition!

The film, Bottle Shock, portrays the events leading up to this competition.

Unfortunately, it’s only showing in the US which is a real shame. A real shame. A lot of people would have enjoyed watching it. Maybe it’s due for wider distribution in the future or perhaps it’ll go straight to DVD in other countries, but whatever happens, I want a copy!

I do hope the script’s well written and the film’s well directed and produced. There’s no greater sin than a fascinating true story that makes a weak transition into film.

The trailer’s available on the site. I’m gonna go watch it now. Care to join me? You bring the wine, I’ll bring the popcorn!

Ciao!

(img by: shodan)

…and Bacchus patted my head affectionately, with a Humphrey Bogart accent, saying ‘you done good, kid. You done good’.

You should have been there. But then I would have had to share. And I was already sharing it between two members of the family.

I didn’t give into temptation in the wee hours of the morning as mentioned in the previous post. I just let the wine be (reluctantly) until my brother-in-law was ready to open it.

I had some again this afternoon while I worked on the computer. Only a bit. But I got a bit light-headed. Should have checked the alcohol content. All I know is that I opened the fridge and before I knew it, I was pouring myself some.

I like the colour of Sangiovese wine – it’s a deep rich red. I think that’s one thing red wine has over white wine. The visual appeal.

This one tasted a bit dry, but it also had a certain level of sweetness that rounded it off quite nicely. If it was part of a sentence, it would be an ellipsis (dot, dot, dot) rather than an abrupt and final full stop.

It’s my wine of choice at the moment …until my tongue elopes with another vintage. I really like it.

As I’m into the meaning of names, I thought I’d find out more about what the name ‘Sangiovese’ actually means.

‘Sangiovese’ is derived from the Latin word ‘sanguis Jovis’ which means ‘the blood of Jove’. Jove (or Jupiter) is a deity prevalent in Roman mythology. He was the god of gods, so to speak (similar to Zeus in Greek mythology).

The weekend’s winding its merry way round. I do hope you have a good one.

Ciao!

(img by: booleansplit)

There’s a bottle of Sicilian Sangiovese on the wine rack – unopened. I cannot open it ‘til the Cabernet’s finished. Those are the rules in the household.

There’s less than half of the Cabernet left. It’s almost 2am and I’m thinking of putting it out of its misery to speed up the process of moving on to the Sangiovese.

There are two problems though:

1) my brother-in-law: he’s still in his prime in the memory department – he’ll remember just how much was left.

I could always tell him the rat drank it. Or the tooth fairy.

2) There’s another bottle of unopened Cabernet on the rack so there’s no guarantee that the Sangiovese will be the next one to be popped open (even though you’d think he’d have had enough of the Cabernet after the first bottle).

So, what do I do, dear reader? Down the rest of the Cabernet and hide the other one? Then when my brother-in-law wakes up, upon discovering two of his bottles have ‘mysteriously’ disappeared, he’ll be so distraught that he’ll want to console himself with the Sangiovese.

Sounds like a plan?

No?

Ok, how about I just drink the bloody Sangiovese? What’s the worse that could happen? Pound-for-pound, I’m bigger than the guy so he couldn’t possibly wrestle me to the ground! (not in front of the children anyway, so if I go everywhere the kids go, I’ll be just fine).

It’s not as if I won’t share it with him once I open it, though. I’ll only have a glass. Or two.

Make it three. And a quarter.

I’m quite sad, aren’t I?

It’s ok, you can say it!

Don’t judge me – just admire my courage …and my complete lack of willpower!

Ciao!

(img by: lngorrr)

The first ever European Wine Bloggers Conference will take place in sunny Spain (Logrono) from August 29th-31st. The main focus of the event is to discuss the influence wine blogging has had on the wine industry and its consumers. Within that, topics covered will include discussions about wine rating, wine blog writing and monetisation.

Blogging is a force to be reckoned with. It’s a conversational way of reaching & connecting with people. Advertisers know this which is why they’re willing to pay bloggers to review their products.

My guess would be that wine blogging has had an influence on the wine industry. It’s just a matter of determining just how much of an influence it has had. Once that’s established, then the wine blogging niche will be an even greater force to be reckoned with (because the more you’re aware of your power, the more adept you become at using it).

There’ll be about 30-40 wine bloggers this time round, but who’s to say there won’t be more next year? For this year, and with it being the first one, it does seem like more than enough bloggers to be getting on with.

There’ll, of course, be a lot of wine tasting! (as well as a tour of some of the local wineries). Every blogger is encouraged to bring along wine from their region or the wine that’s focused on the most on their blog.

Some of the participants at the event will include author of the Wine Anorak blog (Jamie Goode), author of La Gramiere (Amy Lillard) and Able Grape author, Doug Cook.

For more details, visit http://ewbc2008.wineblogger.info/about/

Ciao!

(img by: Daquella Manera)