behind the cork
Red Wines of Maremma Toscana These red wines from the Maremma Toscana sub-region of Italy’s Tuscany are considered “Super Tuscans” using non-native Italian grapes and/or blends. Many fine examples of Super Tuscans come from the region of Maremma,...
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general
Much like France, Italy has a long tradition of wine. In the 1960s, Italy formalized their wine appellation system modeled after the French system. Under this system, each wine region in Italy was required to operate under strict rules for the typ...
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behind the cork
Ultraviolet Sparkling Rosé ($24.99)  This Ultraviolet sparkling rosé is from Poe Wines, in Napa, which was founded by Samantha Sheehan in 2009 after being inspired by the wines she tasted ...
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behind the cork
Ciliegiolo Wines of Maremma Toscana The Ciliegiolo (*cheeli-oh-JOL-oh) *grape gets its name from an Italian word for cherry, a fruit that is prominent in this wine’s aroma and flavor. Although traditionally used as a blending grape in Chianti, si...
Read more →The Ciliegiolo (*cheeli-oh-JOL-oh) *grape gets its name from an Italian word for cherry, a fruit that the Ciliegiolo grape resembles in its wine’s aroma and flavor. Although traditionally used as a blending grape in Chianti, since around 2000 it has...
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behind the cork
2019 Alberto Motta Ansonica ($23)  Ansonica (an-so-NIC-ah) may not be a grape variety that you are familiar with. I was not. And, the wine region of Maremma Toscana in Italy may not ...
Read more →Tuscany is a world famous wine region of Italy that is best known for its Sangiovese-based red wines that include Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. And, within Tuscany, there are more than 40 sub-regions. Maremma Tosca...
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behind the cork
Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) is one of seven wine regions in Portugal and a real up-and-comer in today’s global wine world. With its distinct and diverse growing areas, hundreds of unusual grape varieties and ancient wine traditions, Portugal’s Alen...
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behind the cork
Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) is one of seven wine regions in Portugal and a real up-and-comer in today’s global wine world. With its distinct and diverse growing areas, hundreds of unusual grape varieties and ancient wine traditions, Portugal’s Alen...
Read more →As with many areas of Southern Europe, wine has been made in the Alentejo (ah-len-TAY-zhoo) region of Portugal for centuries. In terms of size, the Alentejo region in southern Portugal is about the same size as the state of Massachusetts. At 56,500 a...
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