Three numbers—1-9-4—appearing on every Heritance wine label describe its heritage, explained winemaker Bernard Portet to wine writers over dinner at Corduroy in D.C. last Thursday. It marks the efforts of one family’s nine generations of winemaking, which now extends to four continents—Europe, North America, South America, and Australia. Born in the same room as his…
Red Wine
The Right Altitude at Bodegas Salentein
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….
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…