Lugana, located in the vinicultural region of northern Italy, sits at the southern end of Lake Garda. Lugana, derived from the Latin Lacus Lucanus (lake in the woods) is noted for its wines, and the region also offers incredible tourism opportunities as the religious influences from the Middle Ages especially in the towns of San Benedetto […]
One Woman. Many Wines
Lia Tolaini Banville and her father, Pier Luigi Tolaini, started importing wines from Italy 16 years ago (2004), expanding the operation in 2016 to include wines from France, Germany and the UK. In 2011, Banville added Italian spirits to her portfolio, introduced a wholesale division and, a few years later, extended her reach to include Washington, DC […]
The French Vineyards of Occitanie
Occitanie is considered one of the newest French wine regions and it is located only 2 hours from Barcelona. The name for the region references a large southern European realm where people spoke a Latin-derived language called Occitan. This French vineyards region covers a territory similar to that ruled by the Counts of Toulouse in the 12th […]
Monterey County Wines: Where Wine-making is a Family Affair
What is there to know about Monterey County? First of all, it is in California… always a good starting point for a discussion of wine. When we drill down in the locale, we discover the beauty of Big Sur’s rugged shore; the beaches and artists in Carmel by the Sea; tide pools, and golf at Pebble Beach; […]
Delicious Wines in Australia
Looking for an easy and delicious way to explore Australia? May I suggest getting a wine glass, reading my notes, and discovering the wonders of Australia by sipping a few of its wines. Wines by Design Australia is the smallest continent, but the sixth-largest country, slightly smaller than the continental USA. It features snowcapped mountains, arid […]
A Big Deal for Wine Partisans
If you grow grapes, make wine, drink wine, sell wine, are a wine educator, wine writer, or have anything at all to do with the wine industry, then it is likely that you would have been spotted tasting wine in New York at the recent Robert Parker, Matter of Taste event (2019). This exclusive program is part […]
Welcome to the 2016 Grands Crus Classes of Saint Emilion
Louis XIV paid tribute to the wines of Saint Emilion – declaring “Saint Emilion, nectar of the gods.” Separate. Better? Saint Emilion Grand Crus wines were not included in the original 1855 Bordeaux classification so The Association de Grands Crus Classes de Saint Emilion was formed in 1982 to promote the quality and excellence of […]
Introducing Nizza DOCG, Italy
Learning by Sipping What I did not know about Nizza DOCG before I attended the Master Class in Manhattan would fill at least one book (more likely two). First of all – where is it? Nizza Monferrato is located in the Asti territory between the hills of Asti, Alba, Alessandria and Acqui Terme, and recognized as part […]
Hundreds of Wines Showcased at Lincoln Center
Winebow named the event the Vintners’ Harvest, but it really was an opportunity for wine makers in the Winebow portfolio to audition their collections at the David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, a venue noted for showcasing stars. This year, buyers, sellers, journalists, educators, and other wine trade professionals had the opportunity to taste 500 […]
Wine Discoveries
At a recent event announcing the acquisition of The Robert Parker Wine Guide by Michelin Guides, wine reviewers introduced a few of the wines they personally enjoyed throughout 2019 and shared as a prelude to a “Matter of Taste,” event. While 10 wines were available, my favorites included: La Dama is owned by Enrique Basarte and Elisa […]