Posts in Italy
Prosecco: The Life of the Party

I love this time of year, marked by the chill in the air, sweet smells of baking, and golden bubbles at every occasion. From now until we ring in the New Year, Sparkling wine is the omnipresent backdrop to gathering with friends and loved ones. And while Champagne is great for those splurge-worthy moments and intimate gatherings, Prosecco is really the life of the party. Reasonably priced, Italy’s sparkling wine is a fantastic crowd pleaser. In general, it has a younger, fresher profile than Champagne and is loaded ample amounts of bright citrus and fruit. Its zippy flavors pair well with food and it also makes a great base for festive cocktails.

Read More
Veneto, ItalyK&L Contributor
Under that Magical Tuscan Sun: 2015 Superstars

If you put your ear to the ground, you’ll hear a lot of buzz around Tuscany’s 2015 vintage, especially around two wines in particular: Sassicaia just topped Wine Spectator’s top ten list with an illustrious slot at #1. Meanwhile, Solaia has raked in two 100-point scores from James Suckling and Robert Parker. These are from world-class winemakers at the top of their game, making the most of an exceptional vintage.

Read More
Italy, TuscanyKate Soto
Villa Poggio Salvi's Wines Evoke the Story of Montalcino

Luca’s family has been there through the last 40 years of evolution in Montalcino, but are very rooted in Pierluigi’s original vision. His grandfather understood the importance of Sangiovese, and was an early ambassador for it. He prized the idea that the wine is born outside of the cellar, and that the Sangiovese Grosso grape is what makes Montalcino special. Luca says it’s “a wonderful grape, and we have the best expression of it in Montalcino.”

Read More
Italy, TuscanyKate Soto
Barolo's Barale Sisters Respect the Past and Look to the Future

Eleonora and her sister, Gloria, represent the fifth generation to take the reins at Barale Fratelli, a Piedmontese winery whose history in the Barolo region runs 150+-years deep. The fact that they are not fratelli at all, but sorelle (sisters), is as important as the fact that they are still making exceptional, traditionally styled Barolo. They uniquely represent the new generation in Barolo: proud women holding leadership roles in what was once a very male-dominated context, but with ties to the past and great respect for tradition. If they are indeed the future of Barolo, then there’s a beautiful symbiosis of past and present in store.

Read More
Italy, PiedmontKate Soto