Just as “location, location, location” defines the most important attribute in real estate, “altitude, altitude, altitude” describes the key ingredient for world-class Argentine wines. That’s why growing grapes at some of the highest elevations in the world gives Bodegas Salentein a critical edge, explained the winery’s chief winemaker Jose “Pepe” Galante at a recent D.C….
Red Grapes
Ferrari Sparkling Wines: Luxury in a Glass
Last week, wine writers and educators gathered for a lunch at Ristorante Tosca here in D.C. to meet with Matteo Bruno Lunelli and taste some exquisite Ferrari sparkling wines-not to be confused with the car company. Produced by his family’s Trentino, Italy-based winery, the Ferrari winery makes a lineup of first-rate traditional-method (bottle fermented) sparkling…
Cupcake Vineyards’ Generous Portfolio
What does it mean to call a wine “generous” or “giving?” Ask Cupcake Vineyards’ winemaker Adam Richardson, who uses those words to describe his growing portfolio of wines. According to Richardson, Cupcake wines all share a similar appeal: a balanced style that makes it easy for new wine drinkers to transition from one Cupcake wine…
A Climber to Appreciate: Napa Valley Red Wine
“The Climber,” vintage 2010, is an easy-drinking relatively light red wine with delicate flavors of red fruit, particularly bright red cherry along with a touch of tannic grip. Its eye-catching label alone may be enough for many to try this wine. It bears a black silhouette that cuts through the label, which upon close examination…
Winemaker Cristian Ridolfi presents Bertani Amarone in D.C.
Recently, winemaker Cristian Ridolfi presented wines from the Vento, Italy-based Bertani winery during a lunch for members of the wine trade at Georgetown’s Cafe Milano. Most of the presentation and sampling focused on the winery’s most prized wine: Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico. Amarone is made in the moderate climate of Valpolicella–a smaller region within…