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…
Grapes
Showcasing Portugal’s Alentejo Wine Region
When you think about Portuguese wine, Vinho Verde—the crisp and often prickly white wine—or Port wines might come to mind. But a recent event hosted by the Alentejo Wine Commission at the Portuguese embassy in D.C. showcased a much more diverse portfolio. Alentejo—a southern region best known for producing about half the world supply of…
Folin Cellars: Unique Offering of an Oregon Syrah
Oregon is producing a host of wonderful wines, mostly Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. But Folin Cellars shows that there are parts tot he state that are well suited to produce first class wines with other grapes as well. Recently featured at a trade tasting here in D.C. Their 2007 Estate Syrah is simply delicious…
Napa Talent at Williamsburg Winery
If you haven’t sampled many Virginia wines in recent years, you should. The industry here has truly come a long way in the past several decades. Like any infant wine region, Virginia wines had humble beginnings, and many local wine lovers initially were not impressed. Some complained that the prices were too high. And many…
Cline Cellars’ Reliably Delicious Wines
Ask me what wineries produce portfolios that are all reliably terrific and Cline Cellars immediately comes to mind. Cline Cellars was founded by Fred Cline, grandson of Valeriano Jacuzzi, inventor of the Jacuzzi tub (Cline also owns Jacuzzi Vineyards). Cline cellars cultivates some grapes from vines from what was once his grandfather’s vineyard in Oakley–located…
