Wine Along The 101
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    • 2023 Articles >
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour 2022, A Brief Look at the Complex World of Italian Wine
      • A Night of Sicilian Wine, Spotlighting Cambria and Madaudo Wineries
      • Yealands Wines, “Think Boldly, Tread Lightly”, Leading the World Toward Sustainable Winemaking
    • 2022 Articles >
      • Further Defining the Single Vineyard Cru Wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, the Rise of the MGA
      • The Barolo Cru Wines of Beni di Batasiolo
      • Pyros Wines Sparks World-Class Malbec
      • AlloraVino Imports, a Love Affair with Italian Wine
      • Maisons Marques & Domaines Wine Portfolio: Prestige, Glamour and Good Taste for the Holidays
      • The Original Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PGI, a Condiment and a Culture
      • Rocca delle Macìe, Taking Chianti Classico to New Heights
      • Alluring and Iconic, The World of Chianti Wines
      • Paso Robles Weaves a Thrilling Tapestry of World-Class Wine
      • LXV Wines, The Spice of Paso Robles
      • The Mouthwatering Sauvignon Blancs of Chile
      • The Wines of Portugal, Discover a World of Difference
      • Domaines Albert Bichot, An Exceptional Approach to Burgundian Wine
      • The Wines of Abruzzo Undergo a Renaissance of Quality
      • Ketcham Estate, Exceptional Wines From The Heart of the Russian River Valley
      • La Rioja Alta, S.A., Innovation and Tradition That Stands the Test of Time
      • Vega Sicilia Celebrates 40 Years of Winemaking Excellence
      • Planeta of Sicily Embraces the Past While Reaching For the Future
      • The Spirit of Renaissance is Alive and Well in “South of Somewhere”
      • Gambero Rosso Returns to LA, With the Best of Italian Wines
      • Falanghina and Aglianico del Taburno, Sannio's Ancient Wine Stars
      • Tablas Creek Vineyard Embraces Regenerative Organic Farming
    • 2021 Articles >
      • Make Merry With Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Wines
      • Discover These Enchanting Italian Wines, From the Fog of Piedmont to the Island Breezes of Sardinia
      • Rodney Strong Vineyards and Winery, Revitalizing an Iconic Brand
      • Thanksgiving Tips for the Best Wine and Food Pairing
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wine Country Oasis
      • Escape to Paso Robles, a Wonderland of Wine
      • Smith-Madrone Wines, a Napa Valley Pioneer Celebrates Fifty Years of Excellence
      • Oregon’s Willamette Valley, the Land of Pinot Noir
      • Irvine & Roberts Vineyards, Exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Southern Oregon
      • BARRA of Mendocino Wines, an Original Organic Wine Play
      • The Opulent and Thrilling Wines of Denner Vineyards
      • L’Ecole No. 41, Expressive Wines That Pass the Test of Time With Flying Colors
      • France's Loire Valley, a Fairytale Land of Storybook Castles and Magical Wines
      • Craft Wine, Shining the Spotlight on America’s Small Wine Producers
    • 2020 Articles >
      • Margerum Wine Company, the Nexus of Sublime Santa Barbara County Wines
      • Catena Zapata, Malbec on High
      • Long Meadow Ranch, the Circle of Life in a Glass of Wine
      • Fontanafredda Barolo Forges a New Future
      • Bordeaux Wine 2017, Surprises in a Challenging Vintage
    • 2019 Articles >
      • The Rising Wine Country of Southern Oregon's Rogue Valley
      • Discover Ashland and the Rogue Valley, Southern Oregon's Serenade to the Good Life
      • Napa Valley Grille, New Fall Menu Paired with European Wines
      • Embrace Your Wine Geek with PRIE Winery & Vineyards
      • Castello di Albola, Chianti Classico on High
      • Nicolas-Jay Wines, the Journey of a Lifetime
      • The Expanding Complexity of New Zealand Wine
      • Prosecco DOC, Splendor in the Glass
      • On the Oregon Wine Trail
      • Albariño and Rioja Star in Spain’s Great Match
      • Exciting and Eclectic, the Wines of Alentejo
      • Blaufränkisch Propels the Red Wines of Austria Into the Spotlight
      • Fascinating Greek Wines of the Cava Spiliadis Collection
      • Revolution In Rioja Wine
    • 2018 Articles >
      • Temecula Valley Celebrates 50 Years of Winemaking
      • The Stellar Wines of Sardinia
      • Italian Wines Prescribed by Doctor Wine
      • The Alluring Wines of Tunisia
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2018
      • Velenosi Wines, From Le Marche to the World
      • Sauvignon Blanc, a Rising Star in Napa Valley
      • Frank Family Vineyards Celebrates 25 Years
      • Markus Wine Co., Sleek New Red Wines Up the Ante for Lodi Reds
      • Lodi Wine, Over 100 Varieties Strong
      • Ramona Valley Wine Country, an Up and Coming Wine Region
      • Hertelendy Vineyards, the Pursuit of Excellence
      • Napa Valley Wine, Nirvana in a Bottle
      • Wine Stroll: Explore Downtown Paso Robles Wineries
      • The Beautiful Shades of Lodi Rosé Wines
      • Doubling Down on Gold Medal Wines: The San Francisco International Wine Competition
      • The Exotic Wines of Lebanon
      • Australian Wines, Rediscover the New Frontier
      • New Zealand Wines, Expanding beyond Sauvignon Blanc
      • Visit France in 2018, a Feast of Food, Wine, Culture and History
      • Bordeaux Wine 2015, A Very Good Year
      • Portugal's Treasure Chest of Wines
      • Livermore Valley, California’s Original Wine Country Reborn
      • Concannon and Wente Vineyards, California’s Pioneers of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
      • Livermore Valley Wine Country, the Future Looks Bright
    • 2017 Articles >
      • Viña Ardanza Rioja Turns 75, an Enchanting Wine Gets Even Better
      • The VIP Sparkle of Prosecco Superiore
      • Lodi Wine Country, Seriously Good Wine From A to Z
      • Lodi Wine Country, Old Vines and Great Wines
      • Lodi Wine Country, Winegrowers and Winemakers Focused on the Future
      • Lugana White Wine, Better With Age
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip to LA
      • Sweetzer Cellars, a Life Changing Journey of Wine
      • Lugana and Valpolicella, the Yin and Yang of the Veneto
      • Three R’s of Summer Wine, Rosé, Riesling, and Ramato
      • Familia Martínez Bujanda, Wines Without Borders
      • Codorníu Cava, the Ars and Anna Collection
      • New and Exciting Wines from the 2017 Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration
      • Sensual Delights on Display at Savor Italy Los Angeles
      • Pizza and Franco Pepe, Italy’s Best Comes to LA
      • Montes Wines, Wisdom in Wine From Father to Son
      • Passionate Pinot Noir Lovers Unite at the 2017 World of Pinot
      • Vignalta, Wines of the Highest Order
      • Santa Lucia Highlands Sensational Wines
      • Gambero Rosso’s Top Italian Wines for 2017
      • Law Estate Wines: Quality by Design
      • Taittinger and Calvisius: Champagne and Caviar Dreams
      • Riding High on American Rhone Wines, The Rhone Rangers LA Tasting
      • Discover Monterey Wine Country, wine and so much more
      • Wines of Portugal, the Perfect Dinner Companion
      • Gruet's Enchanting Sparkling Wines
    • 2016 Articles >
      • The Art of Italian Living, SoCal Style
      • Wines of Alsace: Perfect for the Holidays
      • Oso Libre Winery; Vines, Wines, and Angus Beef
      • Best Wines for Thanksgiving
      • Simply Italian Great Wines US Tour Sweeps Through Los Angeles
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Chardonnay
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Pinot Noir
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Rhône Varietals
      • Santa Barbara Winemakers Road Trip: Bordeaux Varietals
      • Achaval-Ferrer, Exceptional Wines from Argentina
      • Celebration of Harvest Grand Tasting 2016 Highlights
      • The Celebrity Sparkle of Ferrari Trento Wines
      • Santa Barbara Wine Country’s Celebration of Harvest 2016
      • The Garagiste Festival, Off the Beaten Path Wines
      • Explore SLO Wine Country, Central California’s Hidden Gem
      • Byron Winery, The Grand Pinot Noir Experiment
      • Crocker & Starr Wines, Organically Elegant
      • Escape to Santa Maria Wine Country
      • The Elegant White Wines of Domäne Wachau
      • Champagne Palmer: The New Champagne on the Block
      • Holman Ranch & Vineyards: Making Memories & Wine at Romantic California Hideaway
      • Luminous Wines of France's Loire Valley
    • Examiner.com Articles >
      • Alma Rosa Winery & Vineyards: Wines Without Compromise
      • All Stars of Pinot Noir Rock the 2016 World of Pinot
      • Ampelos Wines' Biodynamic Brilliance
      • Artisan Uprising: Blood Into Wine
      • Bodegas Beronia Rioja: The Magic of Oak
      • Crawford Family Wines: Unlocking Varietal Flavor
      • Dolin Malibu Estate Vineyards' Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs Shine Bright
      • Hahn Family Wines: Santa Lucia Highlands' Sweet Spot
      • Kimmel Vineyards: Good Wine Flows from Challenging Times
      • Larner Vineyard: Sweet Spot for Syrah and Grenache
      • LOCA for Lodi Wine
      • Lompoc Wine Ghetto
      • Sanford Winery & Vineyards, Delicious Wines That Tell a Tale
      • The Diverse and Divine Wines of Santa Barbara County
      • Santa Barbara Urban Wine Trail
      • The Stellar Wines of California's Sta. Rita Hills
      • Skinner Vineyards, Destiny and Determination
      • Wines of Portugal, The Art of the Blend
  • Wine Reviews
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, in Can and Bottle
    • Coen Malbec Reserve 2019, a New World Wine with Old World Sensibilities
    • Sangre de Toro Rosé, A Light and Bright Summer Thirst Quencher
    • Summer and Sauvignon Blanc, Lucky Rock Wine Co. Style
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2019
    • Monte Velho, Fascinating Wines and Value-Priced
    • Grassl Glasses Add Depth to Wine Enjoyment
    • Domaine Bousquet Sparkling Rosé Brut Makes Everyday a Holiday
    • Festive Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines For All Occasions
    • Bodegas CARO, the Best of Both Worlds
    • Kosher Wines For the Jewish High Holidays Are Highly Recommended Anytime of Year
    • Oak Farm Vineyards, a Rainbow of Delicious Lodi Wines
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2019
    • Ron Rubin Wines, The Dream Series
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. County Cuvée Pinot Noir 2018
    • Lucky Rock Wine Co. Sauvignon Blanc 2018
    • Crus Bourgeois Bordeaux, Expressive Wines at Everyday Prices
    • Légende Collection of Bordeaux Wines
    • Five Contemporary California Wines To Try
    • Alternative Sparkling Wines For a Celebration
    • A Toast to Prosecco Superiore
    • Celebrate with this Pair of Spanish Red Wines
    • A Quartet of Summer Red Wines
    • Spanish Albariño, a Wine For All Seasons
    • Ciù Ciù Wines, Quality That Shines Through
    • A Trio of Red Wines for Holiday Merrymaking
    • Terre de la Custodia Montefalco Rosso 2012
    • The Sultry Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino
    • Pop the Cork on Charles Heidsieck Champagne and Bisol Prosecco
    • Garnacha Wines from DOP Cariñena, Beautiful Bang for the Buck
    • A Pair of Greek Wines for a Spring Feast
    • A Dynamic Duo of Sassy Spanish White Wines
    • Anderra Carménere
    • Artesa Chardonnay/Pinot Noir
    • Avignonesi Grandi Annate
    • Château Saint-Maur Rosé
    • La Miranda de Secastilla, Old Vine Garnacha Gems
    • Intriguing Israeli Wines
    • Leviathan
    • Domaines Paul Mas Wines Trio
    • Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, intensely refreshing and delicious
    • Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino
    • Stay Cool With These Two Charming White Wines
  • Events
    • Garagiste Wine Festival: Urban Exposure 2022 Highlights Hidden California Wine Gems
    • Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2019
    • World of Pinot Noir 2019, A Magical Mystery Tour
    • Journey to Planet Pinot at the 2018 World of Pinot Noir
    • Great Wines of Italy Comes to LA
    • Wine Along the Beach at Garagiste Wine Festival 2017
    • Santa Barbara Vintners Spring Weekend Celebration 2017
    • Orbit the World of Pinot Noir at the 2017 World of Pinot
    • Rhone Rangers Los Angeles 2016
  • Wine Travel
  • Videos
    • Celebration of Harvest
    • Feliz Noche Wines
    • Terravant Custom Crush
    • Que Syrah, Shiraz!
    • Paso Robles Wine Festival
    • L'Aventure Syrah Harvest
    • Clos Pepe's Prince of Pinot
  • Photos
  • Who We Are
    • About Patricia Decker
    • About Fabian Rodriguez
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After a two year pause, Gambero Rosso returned to Los Angeles for its prestigious Tre Bicchieri World Tour of Italian wines.  A day of seminars and tastings was a welcome antidote to the Covid-19 shutdown that restricted wine tasting events.  The attendees were enthusiastic about these top Italian wines and the opportunity to meet the winemakers and producers that bottled them.  Only those in the wine trade could attend, and taste the “best of the best”.  The newest edition of their celebrated wine guide, Vini d’Italia, was for sale, a road map to the current best and top value wines.  Los Angeles was only one of four US cities on this year’s tour, what a treat!
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Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading food and wine authority, is integral to discovering which Italian wines are best for you.  Italy has 20 wine regions, over 2,000 varietals and thousands of producers in play, and finding those special wines isn’t easy.  Relying on wine ratings can be tricky, depending on who you align your palate with.  Gambero Rosso’s annual Italian wine guide, Vini d’Italia or “Italian Wines”, is considered the Italian wine bible, based on a simple Three Glass ratings system, or Tre Bicchieri.  More than 70 expert tasters blind-taste over 45,000 wines every year, and only include those that they feel are above average, with less than 1% granted the top prize.
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Celebrating 36 years of excellence, Gambero Rosso’s 25th edition wine guide, Italian Wines 2022, contains more than 22,000 wine reviews and profiles of the passionate winemakers behind them.  Only 467 wines this year were crowned Tre Bicchieri, or “extraordinary wines”, approximately 1 in 100 are deemed excellent.  The ratings system is as follows;
- Three Glasses “extraordinary wines”
- Two Glasses “outstanding wines” 
​- One Glass, “good wines”
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Giuseppe Carrus and Marco Sabellico spoke of their impressions of the Tre Bicchieri wines tasted
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Giuseppe Carrus and Marco Sabellico, International Editors-In-Chief, conducted the “Italy In A Nutshell” seminar, a sampling of this year’s Tre Bicchieri winners.  Carrus noted that the quality of Italian wine is higher every year, and that Two Glasses are also important wines of high quality.  Seven wines were sampled, three of which were sparkling.  Sabellico pointed to the global phenomenom of Prosecco, which has made Veneto the most prolific wine production region in the world.  Fantastic value for the money, Prosecco can be a complex, serious wine, with its fruity and floral profile.  Cantine Produttori di Valdobbiadene Val d'Oca Rive di Santo Stefano Extra Brut 2019 comes from one of the top sites, it's dry with a creamy mousse, fresh character of fruit and floral notes, and a long finish.  The Villa Sandi Cartizze Brut La Rivetta is amazing, riper, richer and fragrant, considered a grand cru from the single hill vineyard Cartizze.  This wine was crowned “Sparkling Wine of the Year”.  Another sparkler, the Castello di Cigognola Moratti Cuvée More Pas Dosé, 100% Pinot Noir made in the traditional method from Lombardy, is very good, with classic notes of bread and nuts from second fermentation.  Aromatic and classic Sauvignon Blanc is found in the Borgo Conventi Collio Sauvignon 2019 from Friuli Venezia Giulia, fresh with stone fruit, lime and tomato leaf notes, and a long finish.  The elegant Coppi Gioia del Colle Primitivo Senatore 2017 from Puglia swirled a purity of expression with its high-toned fruit, spice, earth and violet notes.  Cantine San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni 2017 from Puglia is amazing, smooth and rich with good acidity and structure.  And the finale, a fantastic surprise with the aromatic Ferraris Agricola Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato Clásic 2020 from Piedmont.  It’s an intriguing wine, with an intoxicating nose, intensely floral with rose petals, and a vibrant palate of cherry jam, berries, and pepper notes.  Definitely seek this one out!
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Giuseppe Carrus, Carlo Veronese, and Marco Sabellico introduce Oltrepò Pavese wines
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In the next seminar, “Oltrepò Pavese”, Carrus and Sabellico were joined by Carlo Veronese, the Director of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese.  Veronese noted that this region is one of the most fascinating, yet under-rated areas, with the potential for highest quality.  Oltrepò Pavese is a big, diverse wine region, and the ten wines tasted demonstrated its potential.  Three sparkling vintage wines, all Pinot Noir and made Metodo Classico, are fabulous.  Giorgi 1870 Gran Cuvée Storica 2017, a full-bodied sparkler of red fruit, spice, and mineral notes; Ballabio Farfalle Cave Privée 2011, a refined, complex, and fragrant sparkling still going strong after a decade; DeFilippi Fabbio Maria Cristina Pas Dosè Rosé 2013, a powerful and refined wine.  The Travaglino Campo della Fojada Riesling 2019 is a brilliant wine, with a floral nose, elegant in its dried fruit notes and late harvest character.  Two Pinot Nero (Noir) wines represented the heart of Oltrepò Pavese wine production, the Torti L'Eleganza del Vino Route 66 2018, with its mouth-filling fruit and floral essence, and the Conte Vistarino Pernice 2017, with its elegance, fruit and aromas.  The rustic Castello di Luzzano Sommossa Bonarda brought attention to the other world-class product of Oltrepò Pavese, Salame from the Varzi region, considered the best in Italy.  A fascinating wine was discovered in the Fiamberti Buttafuoco Storica Solenga 2016, a full-bodied, textured wine with red fruit, spice and balsamic notes, made from four indigenous grape varietals.
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Marianna and Angela Velenosi of Marche's Velenosi Ascoli Piceno
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Roberto Gariup of Sardinia's La Contralta
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Eighty-seven producers poured their best wines in the trade tasting.  Lots of buzz centered around the Gioia del Colle Primitivo wines from Puglia, along with the Primitivo di Manduria.  There was not enough time to taste everything or even a fraction of these quality Italian wines.  Of note, I found the Tenuta Mara MaraMia Sangiovese, the Rocca della Macie Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli, the Terre Carsiche 1939 Regula Magistri 2015 (one of those vaunted Gioia del Colle Primitivo beauties), and the Velenosi Rosso Piceno Superiore Roggio del Filare, delicious.  And notably, a few of the producers I really enjoyed are looking for importers; La Contralta of Sardinia with their Cannonau di Sardegna L’Ora Grande and Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Fiore del Sasso, and Diego Pressenda - La Torricella of Piedmont with their Barolo Le Coste di Monforte.
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L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
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LA Puglia
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Angelini Osteria
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Drago Centro
For local flavor, Gambero Rosso awarded several Los Angeles area restaurants "Top Italian Restaurants 2022", well deserved!

For more information on the fascinating cornucopia of Italian wine, I recommend you purchase the Gambero Rosso guide, Italian Wines 2022.  There are so many discoveries waiting to be found within its pages, it's a great resource.