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
    • The Dynamic Lavico Etna Wines of Duca di Salaparuta
    • The Sangiovese Stars of San Felice Wines
    • 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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Who doesn’t love Italian food and wine?  Pasta, prosciutto, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and wine are just some of the many wonderful products imported into the US every year.  These and more were on display when the Savor Italy Road Show made a pit stop in Los Angeles recently, emphasizing the high quality and extraordinary taste which defines the essence of Italy.  Organized by the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce West Los Angeles (IACCW) and the Italy-America Chamber of Commerce Texas, seminars and guided tastings were held at the Santa Monica Bay Women's Club, along with a chance to taste the many food and wine samples.  Many companies were looking to import and distribute their products to the US, if they weren’t already in the marketplace.
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Wine barrel art from Botart.org
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What makes Italian food and wine so special is that each region’s signature foods are geared to what’s grown locally.  Their unique food products are defined and guaranteed by a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), a set of regulations that keep foodstuffs and wines true to their regional roots.  Quality is protected through traditional methods of production, while authenticity is key to their distinct character.  Semolina pasta, canned San Marzano Italian tomatoes, Parma Prosciutto, Modena Balsamic Vinegar, and Umbrian truffle products are just a few of these regional specialties.
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Of course, there were many wine producers in attendance.  Italy is a viticultural heaven, with over 3,000 grape varieties from 20 different regions.  Three wine seminars explored the not so well known wines of some of them.
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Franciacorta Brand Ambassador Laura Donadoni explains its appeal
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The soft bubbles of Franciacorta
“Discover Franciacorta” introduced Italy’s “luxury wine”, a sparkling wine made in the traditional method, like Champagne.  From Lombardia, in northern Italy, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco are blended to yield an elegant, silky wine, with a creamier mousse and softer flavor profile.  Five Franciacorta wines were compared, as Brand Ambassador Laura Donadoni guided the tasting.  Donadoni stressed that it was an “art to compose the cuvée”, with differences in soils contributing to the structure and complexity.  In addition, Pinot Bianco adds stronger aromatics to the wine, just like Pinot Meunier does in Champagne, but the bubbles are less aggressive.  Three of the wines deserved special notice.  The refined Ferghettina Satèn Brut 2012,100% Chardonnay, with 19 different vineyard wines in the mix, was silky and leesy, with almond and pastry notes.  Ca’ Del Bosco Dosage Zero 2010, 65% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Noir and 13% Pinot Bianco, was floral and mineral, with more acidity, and texture as a result of 4 years of lees aging, ending in a long finish.  Berlucchi ’61 Rosé, 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, was floral, with cherry and strawberry fruit, nutty and leesy with a balsamic note, a good food wine.
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Master Taster and Wine Educator Giammario Villa of Vinomatica
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Panel discussion of trends in wine consumption
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Patricia Decker in seminar tasting, courtesy of IACCW
“New Renaissance: Classic and Esoteric Wines of Italy” debated current trends in wine consumption among a panel that included restaurant owners and a wine shop specialist, headed by Giammario Villa of Vinomatico.  Experiences differed, as Nicola Vietina, the owner of Madeo Restaurant, found his clientele “going back to the classics”, while J.D. Plotnick of Lou Wine Shop encouraged their customers to try something new and different.  Villa, also a wine educator, noted that there is a shift away from scores and use of oak to “starting a dialogue to see where customers are, and expand their palate”, either through different types of wines by the glass, or 50% off bottles on a certain night of the week.  Six wines were discussed, from the spectacular Bocale di Valentini Trebbiano Spoletina to the deliciously funky Randi Burson Longanesi.  What all could agree on, which was put forth by Raimondo Boggia, CEO of the Obica chain of restaurants, is that wine is a part of the food experience, and that a meal is the sum of what you eat and drink.
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“Lugana: the Aristocratic Lake Garda White”, presented by Brand Ambassador Laura Donadoni, delved into the mineral and briny Trebbiano di Lugana from the southern part of Lake Garda in Northern Italy, known locally as Turbiana.  It has a flavor profile of apples, white flowers, citrus, and almonds. Trebbiano di Lugana is a bit of a chameleon, and can be made into a sparkling, still, or dessert wine, with a capacity to age gracefully.  Four of the six wines sampled deserve a special mention.  The Cascina Maddalena “Leonardo” Lugana Brut Metodo Classico was elegant, silky yet mineral, with fine bubbles, Meyer Lemon and yeast notes, and a long finish.  The Cá Lojera Lugana Superiore 2014 was an intense wine, with layers of complexity, and lots of structure, a Meyer Lemon, stonefruit, and almond flavor profile, with a persistent finish.  The Sergio Zenato Lugana Riserva was complex, channeling lemon custard, vanilla, and honey flavors, a perfumed wine, not as mineral as the others, yet with a long finish.  And the Perla del Garda Lugana Vendemmia Tardiva 2013 was more semi-sweet, with intense flavors of pear, almond, ginger, candied fruit, and a hint of saffron, its fresh acidity giving balance to the wine.  These high quality wines are all DOC designated, and although a majority of them are exported, they are known as the hidden gems of the region, with a small production from a tiny appellation.
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Other Italian producers at the Savor Italy trade show whose wines were amazing:
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Cantina di Solopaca, a large cooperative from Campania, poured several delicious wines, a sparkling and still Falanghina, a Primo Rosso blend, and a stunningly beautiful Aglianico Carrese Sannio.
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Cantine Salvatore of Molise offered an interesting wine, the “Rutilia" Tintilia, a complex red, full bodied, velvety and well-balanced, with a persistent finish.  The Biberius Molise Rosso, entirely Montepulciano, was smooth and delicious.
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Wine and food ambassador Massimo Navarretta
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Gambero Rosso anointed the Muro Sant'Angelo Barbatto Red Wine of 2017
Tenute Chiaromonte of Puglia had several noteworthy wines.  The Kimìa Fiano was aromatic and refreshing, with a grapefruit and saline finish.  The Elè Primotivo was aromatic and intense, with red and dark fruit and spice notes.  And the Muro Sant’Angelo Barbatto was superb, powerful and balanced, all plum and blackberry fruit and spice.
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Fattoria Zerbina of Emilia-Romagna caused a stir with their Albana white and the Torre di Ceparano Sangiovese Riserva, both highly regarded wines.
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La Guardiense, another large coop out of Campania, focused on their native varietals.  The Janare sparkling Falanghina was fabulous, as well as the still Falanghina.  The Aglianico DOP and cru Lucchero Aglianico were smooth and structured.
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Paolo Cressi of Vino Direct distributes La Montina
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La Montina Brut Franciacorta was fresh and crisp while the Rosé was elegant and distinctive, the beautiful color a product of two days of skin contact, and textured from 40 months of lees aging.
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Luca Faccinelli of Lombardia poured the fascinating Ortensio Lando Valtellina Superiore 2011, a mountain Nebbiolo whose aromas spoke of the woods, while the flavors of tart red fruit and star anise danced on its racy acidity and taut tannins.
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Randi Azienda Agricola of Emilia-Romagna poured an intriguing Rambela Bianca, a Famoso white that channeled sweet citrus and apricot, and a fascinating Blu di Bursôn, a Longanesi red that offered a funky melange of fruit, floral, and grass, with plum and licorice notes.
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Professional taster Orietta Gianjorio
Finishing off the day, the “EVOO and Modena Balsamic Vinegar, Italy’s Liquid Gold” seminar, led by the compelling and passionate Orietta Gianjorio, really illustrated the importance of freshness and keeping olive oil free from oxidation by blind-tasting three different oils.  From the mild olive oils that accompany complex dishes to the grassy, pungent oils that transform simple dishes into something unique, the higher polyphenols of fresh olive oils are a health benefit.  And if you thought you knew balsamic vinegar, what an enlightening tasting!  From the simple vinegars that dress salads to the three-year-old barrel-aged balsamic that you drizzle over chocolate, the pinnacle of the tasting was a Modena DOP 25-year-old vinegar, so thick and complex, that one drop would carry an entire dish.
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Genny Nevoso of the IACCW gets out the word that Italian products rock!
Steeped in history, Italy’s rich tapestry of regional cuisine and intriguing wines are a feast of sensory delights that is the beating heart of Italian culture.  Savor Italy is more than a road show, it’s a mantra to be lived, seek out these many fine Italian products, la dolce vita!