Alicante in Spain is now emerging as a high-quality wine region, led by winegrowers like Pepe Mendoza, people often look for wine tours in the region. Why is this happening now? Furthermore, how do his vines resemble Bonsai? The Alicante wine region When Alicante is mentioned, we usually think of the Costa Blanca and Benidorm.… Continue reading The Bonsai Vines of Pepe Mendoza
Author: Paul Howard
is a wine journalist and educator who runs the site Wine Alchemy. He is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers, the Association of Wine Educators and the FIJEV (international federation of wines and spirits journalists and vintners). He lives in the United Kingdom.
Dievole Chianti Classico DOCG 2014, Biodynamic Wine From Tuscany
I have tried Dievole wines before, but not recently. My old tasting notes say they were good. However, I found their Chianti Classico was made in a modern oaked “international†style, blending Sangiovese with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This style has international consumer appeal. Personally, I prefer something more traditional. I hadn’t realized that Dievole changed… Continue reading Dievole Chianti Classico DOCG 2014, Biodynamic Wine From Tuscany
Fasoli Gino: Organic Amarone
Amarone is a sumptuous and powerful dry red wine, always made from dried grapes. Now famous worldwide, its success over the past couple of decades has driven the resurgence of the Valpolicella region. The best producers have relentlessly focused on quality, with innovation and investment in the vineyards and in the winery. Consequently, Amarone has… Continue reading Fasoli Gino: Organic Amarone
Domaine Pellerin — ‘Bugey’ On Down
In France, the little known wine region of Bugey is well off the beaten track. I have passed through it frequently, usually on the way to more famous wine destinations, always making a mental note to stop and explore. When I finally did so this year I immediately wished I had done it sooner. Once… Continue reading Domaine Pellerin — ‘Bugey’ On Down
Caiarossa 2009 – With Porchetta Recipe
Regular readers of Wine Alchemy will know that I am a particular follower of Caiarossa, a Super-Tuscan biodynamic red wine that was first made in 2003. I have followed every vintage release closely since then, as it seems to me that this is a wine that, while always excellent, has improved each year as the… Continue reading Caiarossa 2009 – With Porchetta Recipe
Querciabella Turpino 2010
Anyone that has even a passing acquaintance with Wine Alchemy knows of my love of the wines of Tuscany and in particular those from Chianti and the new lands of Bolgheri and the Maremma. Furthermore, my passione for the wines of the Querciabella estate seems to only increase with each new vintage. Organic since 1988… Continue reading Querciabella Turpino 2010
Bodegas Gómez Nevado, Pálido Seco NV, Vino de la Tierra
Regular readers of these pages will know of my predilection for sherry. However, I have failed to discover a sherry made by certified organic methods from the Jerez DO region. If anybody is familiar with one I would be grateful to know and investigate. Fortunately for those looking for organic credentials there are one or… Continue reading Bodegas Gómez Nevado, Pálido Seco NV, Vino de la Tierra
Quantico wines from Azienda Agricola Giulemi: Etna Bianco and Etna Rosso 2010
Quantum of Solace The area around Linguaglossa, on the northern slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily is a remarkable and spectacular wine terroir, where native grape varieties grown on volcanic soils meet high altitude and fine weather to create a series of subtly different microclimates. If the time ever comes to designate an Etna Classico… Continue reading Quantico wines from Azienda Agricola Giulemi: Etna Bianco and Etna Rosso 2010
Le Mortelle
The Antinori family has been in the wine business for over six hundred years and they can document this back to 1385 across 26 generations. It is an interesting question whether anyone has done more in raising the profile of Italian wines than the current head of the family, Marchese Piero Antinori. Back in the… Continue reading Le Mortelle
Coffele Ca’Visco Soave Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy 2010
Soave is a famous Italian white wine region named after the eponymous town near Verona. The town of Soave is dominated by a massive medieval castle and its impressively crenellated walls. From these high swallow-tailed vantage points you can see that Soave is surrounded by vines and is at the centre of the Classico zone.… Continue reading Coffele Ca’Visco Soave Classico DOC, Veneto, Italy 2010