Here, I share my news, opinions and musings as I journey with you through the world of wine. These articles are inspired by courses I teach, publications I read and write for, events I attend, and Masterclasses I deliver. I hope that you will find them insightful and thought-provoking! Do not hesitate to contact me with your comments at: contact@grandepassione.com.
A Wine in Honor of a Goddess…
At a vertical tasting going back to 1997 hosted by the Hong Kong Wine Society, participants discovered not only the tremendous quality potential of this legendary wine but also how beautifully the grapes of Sardinia can age. The 12 wines tasted impressed most by how consistent their quality was throughout, especially since each vintage showed apparent stylistic differences. This last discovery was another finding we did not expect and we removed from our minds the long-lasting belief that Italian vintages do not mark wines as much as they do in more northern wine regions of Europe. We learned this lesson with wines from a Mediterranean island even more surprising. Overall, the wines showed a delightful freshness of acidity with exquisite balance and proportion. Each vintage intriguingly expressed a different personality and was equally enjoyed by all.
Travelling Through Time with Madeira…
It was tasting a wine that is even older than yourself is a magical feeling. Madeira’s unparalleled ageing potential earns a special place in the arena of aged wines, and it is undoubtedly a sensational experience to enjoy this legendary wine.
The occasion for such a time-travelling experience was a unique tasting hosted by the Hong Kong Wine Society and organized by a long-standing member Edward Smith. As usual in these proceedings, we were presented with 12 wines to taste blind so that we could record our notes, give each wine a score, and reflect upon them without the influence of their label or their year of birth. The scores were then tabulated to establish a group ranking, followed by a thorough discussion of each wine among the members present.
Ca del Bosco Goes to Japan…
That Maurizio Zanella is considered a visionary when it comes to Italy’s Franciacorta is conventional wisdom. That his vision also extends to Japan is fascinating.
Visionary and uncompromising, determined and focused, Maurizio Zanella, the founder of Ca’ del Bosco, created one of Italy's most respected wine brands today. Over two days of extensive tastings in Tokyo, Spirito diVino Asia had close contact with this Icon of Italian wine and an exclusive and personal look at the secret of his success.
ARPEPE, Finally, I fell in Love with Nebbiolo!
I am not shy to admit that, until last April, my love affair with Nebbiolo, the grape responsible for the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco, was not on solid grounds. But, a meeting with ArPePe's Isabella Pelizzatti Perego at Vinitaly in Verona changed that forever...
I was struck by their elegance and restraint, purity, and finesse through a tasting of 9 of her wines, all made with 100% Nebbiolo. Everything about the feminine side of Nebbiolo I had so often heard about came alive in a magnificent way that I had never experienced before.
"Dino 2013”, a Beautiful Amphora Wine by Fontodi...
This wine's natural beauty is in its spirit; it is a wine about a family, land, and the circle of life. When he created “Dino”, Giovanni Manetti did not only create a new wine for Fontondi, he made a tribute. Named in honour of his father, who passed away in early 2000, it links the winery back to its roots, where it all began.
Madeira 1875… What does it taste like?
Whenever I join a tasting organised by Nigel and hosted by the HK Wine Society, I count my blessings. And much I have to count! Especially last month when we experienced quite a few "Old Madeiras".
On the flight, we had wines from 1875, 1900, 1920, and 1968 and some younger wines.
Bertani 1964 @ Vinitaly 2011…
The memories of a once in a lifetime tasting at Vinitaly 2011