Blog
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Published
8 January 2024
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Buttafuoco DOC – l’Antico Piemonte in Lombardia!
While not as famous as the other ‘Bs’ (Barbaresco & Barolo) to the west, the relatively new DOC, Buttafuoco, is clearly a player in the Full Bodied Italian Rosso squad – probably in defence – & justifies its selection on several counts: geographically, geologically, historically, & ampelographically (grapes!). The name ‘Buttafuoco’ seems to have two......
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Published
29 January 2026
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2019 Valtellina, Alto Piedmont, Langhe & Roero
Valtellina, Lombardia – a regular growing season, without excesses, with rain when the vines needed it, & little disease pressure. The harvest occurring later than in 2018, giving more finezza & less alcohol. Alto Piemonte – as per their friends & colleagues in the Basso Piemonte below, 2019 was a classic vintage in the Alto......
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Published
9 January 2025
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I Versanti Etnei – by Lucy Barlow
Leaving Catania airport up towards Linguaglossa, the sea behind you, the rugged, barren, grey, rocky outcrops tell of recent lava flows visible on either side of the hastily mended road. Wild flowers, yellow with flashes of pink, mix with what resembles giant fennel. Etna seems to buzz. Perhaps living on the edge of a volcano......
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Published
28 August 2023
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Valtellina – where Chiavennasca is key!
Emerging from ‘chiusura‘ here in Italia, I reflect on that February visit to Lombardia’s stunning Valtellina region, north-east of Milano. Outside of the Langhe & Roero, I think it would be fair to say that Valtellina joins Alto Piemonte as a source of fine Nebbiolo-based wines, or should I say Chiavennasca… And just as with Alto Piemonte,......
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Published
10 February 2022
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2017 Barolo vintage – c’est très jolie!
2017 Langhe vintage: after a relatively mild winter, I recall a warm sunny March, & atypical 23 degree days accelerating the vegetative growth, followed by spring rain, & then on April 14th frost that damaged Barolo’s lower vyds & localised hail in Barbaresco (San Cristoforo). But it was the constant 30 degree days & drought caused......