Wine Reviews & Musings
This section the website goes beyond Wine of the Month selections. Here you will find wide-ranging wine topics that explore what it is about Italian wine that is so compelling and memorable and keep you informed on current developments across the Italian wine scene. Some recent postings include:
- The Better Barbera
- Top Ten Affordable Super-Tuscan Wines
- Sgroppino - A Refreshing Venetian Treat
- Italian White Wines - Value Priced (Under $20)
- Unexpected Pleasures — Fine Italian Wines From Off the Beaten Track
Other topics covered include reviews of wines from specific Italian wineries, discussions of Italian wine varietals or wine regions, interviews with Italian winemakers, discussions of my favorite types or categories of Italian wines, Italian wine trends and markets and other wine-centric topics as the spirit moves me. View reviews and musings »
D.C. metro area wine bars and wine-friendly restaurants
Wine bars are popping up in the Washington, DC metropolitan area like corks from celebratory Champagne bottles. While there may not yet be one on every corner, new wine bars are appearing on the scene on a fairly regular basis...read more about D.C. metro area wine bars and wine-friendly restaurants »
Included is a listing of area wine bars and restaurants with extensive wine lists in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia
Wine Tastings
Call today to schedule an enjoyable & informative wine tasting experience for you, your friends, your social or church group, employees or business clients.
Custom-designed wine tastings can have different themes, such as Italy’s Heavyweight Reds – a tasting of some of Italy’s most famous “big” red wines or Great Italian Wines You’ve Probably Never Tasted – a review and tasting of some internationally acclaimed Italian wines that have not received wide attention in the U. S.
Our customized wine tasting events are typically informal affairs presented in a relaxed, walk-around setting. Wine tastings should be informative but also pleasant, convivial events shared with good friends and engaging conversation. However, more structured and formal sit-down wine seminars and tastings can also be arranged.
For more information about scheduling a wine tasting, contact Richard at winetasting@winewordswisdom.com or call 703-627-7643.
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fine italian red wines for april 2012
Arnaldo-Caprai, Montefalco Rosso 2007 (about $24)
The Arnaldo-Caprai winery was founded in 1971 when Arnaldo Caprai purchased 12-1/2 acres of vineyards in the rolling hills around the Umbrian hill town of Montefalco. Now in the hands of his son, Marco, the estate has grown to approximately 135 acres of vineyards. Marco’s emphasis on quality and innovative approaches to winemaking have made the Arnaldo-Caprai estate, along with the Paolo Bea winery, one of the region’s most celebrated and respected estates...read the article »
Fattoria La Lecciaia, Brunello di Montalcino 2004 (about $40)
The folks at La Lecciaia have hit a home run with their ’04 Brunello. 2004 is one of the greatest vintages ever for wines from the Montalcino area. While the spring was a little cool, moderate rainfall and a warm and sunny September combined to produce Sangiovese grapes of exceptionally high quality. Given this outstanding vintage and the fact that Brunello wines are generally among Italy’s most expensive wines in any vintage, its difficult to find a Brunello of this quality, intensity and depth of flavor at anything even close to $40 a bottle....read the article »
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a selection of pizza-friendly italian wines
Finding a wine that goes well with pizza can be an intimidating challenge. What 
makes the choice of a wine so daunting is that there is no such thing as a “typical” pizza. Pizzas, like people, come with all sorts of personalities and styles. Pizzas may have thin or thick crusts and range from...read the article»
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Unexpected Pleasures – More Fine Italian Wines From Off the Beaten Path
In a previous posting on this website, I reviewed some noteworthy Italian wines that merit attention but are not particularly well known in this country. Italy is a complicated wine country with a rich and varied wine culture. Every one of Italy’s twenty regions grows grapes and produces wines and the country can lay claim to hundreds ...read the article »
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Top Ten Affordable Super-Tuscan Wines
The words “affordable” and “Super-Tuscan” don't often appear in the same sentence. Super-Tuscans are big, rich, intense and modern wines that often carry triple-digit price tags, especially acclaimed Super-Tuscans with bold-face names like Ornellaia, Messorio, Solaia, Tignanello or Sassicaia ...read the article»
The perfect $5,000 Italian wine cellar
In a previous posting I formulated a proposed personal wine cellar that consists entirely of Italian wines and costs approximately $1,000 at current retail prices. Now, I’m going to up the ante and look at what one can buy in the way of Italian wines for $5,000.
But it’s not just a matter of going out and buying wine until you’ve reached the $5,000 limit ...read the article »
The scoop on the best gelato in the d. c. metro area: an interview with stefano polles of sorriso ristorante
As I write this the temperature is in the low 80’s and there’s a gentle breeze on an almost cloudless day. It is the kind of day that poets love to rhapsodize about and the forecast is for more sun in the weeks ahead. Spring has finally arrived and when spring arrives my attention turns to thoughts of gelato. Yes, gelato! While Italian wine is my main passion, my infatuation with gelato is a close second. Ever since my first trip to Italy ...read the article »
An interview with giovanni zullo of tenuta viglione in puglia
Puglia (or Apulia as it’s known outside of Italy) is the region located on the Adriatic coast in southeastern Italy, in the “heel” of the “boot” that comprises geographic Italy. Because of its warm Mediterranean climate and relatively flat, fertile plains, wine has been produced here for thousands of years and in prodigious quantities. Puglia’s economy is heavily dependent on wine production ...read the article»
travel itinerary for matera: Exploring Southern Italy’s Hidden Gem
Matera is one of the most unusual, interesting and singular tourist destinations 
in Italy. While located in the off-the-beaten-track region of Basilicata in southern Italy, Matera is internationally famous for its extensive and ancient cave dwellings, known as sassi, that were inhabited as far back as ...read the article»
pietro's own merlot
Sorriso Ristorante in Cleveland Park has long been one of my favorite Italian restaurants in the
D.C. metro area. It serves genuine northern Italy dishes as well as some Roman favorites. Since they are made with the best ingredients, I can always count on the food being fresh, good and relatively inexpensive. I also like the attentive but unfussy service.
Sorriso’s also has something else going for it – Pietro’s own wine from his family’s vineyard in the Lison-Pramaggiore DOC in northeastern Italy. The vineyard isn’t large – less than an acre – but is planted with 35-40 year old Merlot vines...read the article »
An Eclectic Guide to Rome’s Best Wine Bars
To be honest, I don’t know if these are the best wine bars in Rome. There are a lot of wine bars (or enoteche) in Rome and I 
haven’t the time or financial resources to sample all of them. Rather, these are simply the ones I have enjoyed the most during my several trips to Rome in recent years and that best meet my criteria for a really quality wine bar experience...read the article »
Italy's Greatest Wines for a "Magnifico" Wine Cellar
Suppose you have virtually unlimited discretionary income and want to stock your wine cellar with only the greatest Italian wines. Here the emphasis is solely on quality and price is not a constraint – you want the best of the best Italian wines. Since there are a lot of really good wines in Italy from which to choose, I limited the number of selections to what I consider to be the thirty-five best wines that Italy has to offer - regardless of price. The competition for a spot in the top 35 Italian wines is tough...read the article »
a tasting of red wines from sardinia
The island of Sardinia (Sardegna) lies off the west coast of central Italy. With its rugged mountains, rocky coasts and dazzling beaches accentuated by enigmatic pre-historic stone structures, Sardinia has long been a popular destination for Italian and other European tourists. However, Sardinia is not particularly well known to most Americans and not on the American travel industry's radar screens. For most Americans ...read the article »
best italian white wines for summer sipping
When it comes to versatility, food-friendliness and outright summer sipping pleasure, it is hard to beat a white wine, especially one from Italy. People generally want to take a simpler approach to life during the hot months of summer. Formal dinners give way to simpler, buffet or even picnic-type get-togethers where formidable red wines would be out of place. Rather, these types of get-togethers call for crisp and refreshing white wines that can be served either by themselves for refreshing sipping, as aperitifs or as accompaniment to luncheons or other light summer fare...read the article »
Best Italian Wines
of the month
I taste quite a few Italian wines every month. While some are just OK, many are good and some are really great wines. In the spirit of sharing my wine experiences with you, each month I will select two as my favorite Italian Wines of the Month: one under $25 and the other over $25.
Since I’m a value-focused wine consumer, many of my monthly wine selections, especially the under-$25 selections, will be quite easy on your wallet. However, every so often I have a chance to taste a really pricey wine that I think is truly outstanding and I will include it in my over-$25 Wine of the Month selection. Think of my two monthly selections as the best Italian wines for the month on a value-to-price basis.
In recent months the under-$25 monthly wine selections have included:
- Fatalone, Gioia del Colle Primitivo 2007 (about $17)
- I Sassi, Basilicata Aglianico del Vulture 2007 (about $12)
- Tormaresca, “Neprica” 2009 (about $12)
- Tenuta Le Querce, “Il Viola” Aglianico del Vulture 2006 (about $20)
In recent months the over-$25 monthly wine selections have included:
- Pelissero, Langhe Nebbiolo 2008 (about $26)
- Planeta, Passito di Noto 2008 (about $39 for 500 ml)
- Castello dei Rampolla, “Sammarco” Toscana 2006 (about $65)
- Rocca delle Macie, “Roccato” Toscana IGT 2003 (about $52)
I want to emphasize that I’m independent and have no financial incentive to push any particular wine. I typically buy my wines the same way most of you do — that is, I pay the full retail price at local wine stores. While I do have some favorite wine shops, I visit at least two different wine stores a week to assess their pricing and wine selections.
Where to Stay, Dine & Taste Wines in Italy
Explore travel itineraries in Italy that will appeal to intrepid souls that want to explore on their own and combine their love of travel with some wine country or vineyard tours, wine-friendly restaurants and enoteche (wine bars), or just visit interesting and historically significant places. For example, there is a proposed travel itinerary for the northeastern Veneto Treviso to Marostica and return as well as An Insider's Guide to Tasting Wines in the Piedmont: Wineries, Enoteche and Wine Shops. This section of my website should especially appeal to wine enthusiasts that love to travel and sample la dolce vita. view where to stay, dine and taste wine in italy »
Top 5 Recently Viewed Postings
- Italy's Greatest Wines for a Magnifico Wine Cellar
- A Tasting of Red Wines from Sardinia
- Northeastern Veneto Itinerary - Treviso to Marostico and Return
- best italian white wines under $20
- Cheery Italian Sparkling Wine for Summer Festivities
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The Subtle and Bubbly Charms of Prosecco
Prosecco is easily Italy’s most popular sparking wine. Light, refreshingly effervescent and inexpensive, it is an integral part of most luncheons, weddings, birthday parties and other celebrations throughout Italy. It is also a popular before-dinner drink (aperitivo), not only in the Veneto region in northeastern Italy - which is Prosecco’s traditional home - but throughout the ...read the article»
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Chinato - the Better Barolo
The Italian liqueur, Chinato, or as it’s more formally known, Barolo Chinato, originated - not surprisingly, given its name - in the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. Chinato (key’ not toe) is still produced in the Langhe area of the Piedmont, the same area where Nebbiolo grapes are grown for the production of the celebrated Barolo wines, Italy’s “king of wines.” Barolo Chinato can trace its roots back to the late 19th century...read the article»
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Twelve Great Wines From Southern Italy Worth Splurging On
Wines from southern Italy have historically been overlooked in favor of the better-known and popular wine regions of northern Italy - mainly Tuscany, Piedmont and the Veneto. However, southern Italy has a rich winemaking heritage and is considered the birthplace of Italian wines. With its warm Mediterranean climate, rich volcanic soil and abundance of ancient native grape varieties, vineyards have dotted southern Italy’s landscape for thousands of years ...read the article»
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Franciacorta Wines: Quality Italian Bubbly to Celebrate the New Year – or Any Time of Year
Italy offers discriminating wine lovers an astonishing array of super sparkling wines with which to celebrate the New Year or just to enjoy any time of year for that matter. One doesn’t need a special occasion to enjoy a festive sparkling wine. Any excuse will work like “it’s Saturday, let’s celebrate” or ...read the article»
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Best Italian Wines of 2011 From Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast Magazine
The Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast magazines recently published their annual selections for the best wines released in 2011 from around the world. Both magazines’ lists are based on wines reviewed by their respective staffs over the course of the year and both magazines’ selections include a number of Italian wines. I find it interesting to analyze and compare exactly what wines were included in the two lists...read the article»
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Best Value Italian Wines of 2011: Ten Italian Wines under $20
Sniffing out my favorite lowest priced Italian wines is always difficult. There are so many good Italian wines with high quality-to-price ratios, so much competition and so little time that this endeavor is not as easy as it sounds. Nonethless, I always give it my best shot. Here are what I consider the best value Italian wines of 2011, the wines that have the highest quality-to-price ratios of all those I’ve tasted in 2011. This should be a useful list for Italian wine cognescenti in this period of diminshed expectations....read the article»
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amaro - the better italian bitter
The Italian liqueur, Amaro (ah’ maro), is one of my favorite after dinner drinks. Ever since I was first served this liqueur after dinner at a restaurant in Bologna, I have been hooked on them, or at least most of them (more on this later). However, on those occasions when I have served them to guests, response to them has been what might charitably be described as mixed. There is a wide range of styles ...read the article»
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Italy’s Best Wines – Gambero Rosso’s Tre Bicchieri Winners for 2012
Gambero Rosso recently announced the winners of its prestigious Tre Bicchieri, or “three glasses” awards for 2012. The results will be published in Gambero Rosso’s celebrated annual wine guide Vini d’Italia (Italian Wines), generally regarded as the most authoritative guide to the Italian wine world. . Overall, approximately 20,000 wines from 2,350 producers were tasted and reviewed as part of the competitive process. Starting at mid-year, more than 70 highly regarded and independent wine evaluators began reviewing wines from various regions that were collected and made available ...read the article»
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Prosecco, Figs and Serendipity
It was serendipity that escorted us to the cantina, er, farm last year while traveling in the Veneto. It was early afternoon on a brilliantly hot day in early summer and we were leisurely driving in our rented Fiat to Asolo after visiting Villa Barbaro, the magnificent 17th century Palladian estate in Maser.
In addition to me, our small group consisted of my wife and intrepid traveling companion, Julie, our son Douglas and wife Heather, and we were ready for a rest break. With the exception of some figs that we had helped ourselves to earlier...read the article»
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Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia List of Special Award Winners for 2012
The new Gambero Rosso guide Vini d’Italia has just released its list of Special Award winners for 2012. These are the wineries, producers and wines that represent the best of the Italian wine world. This includes not only awards for the best red, white, sweet and sparkling wines of the year but also awards for the wine with the best ratio of price to quality ("best buy") and winery of the year ...read the article»
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Refosco - northern Italy's hidden wine gem
Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is both the name of a grape as well as the red wine produced from that grape. Both the grape and the wine are popularly known as “Refosco” although technically it is only one sub-variety of the extended Refosco grape family. It is grown principally in the Friuli-Venezia-Giulia region in northeast Italy and the nearby Venezia and Treviso provinces . ...read the article»
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Italy's Best Merlot Wines
Merlot is not a wine that readily comes to mind when discussing Italian wines. In a country populated with hundreds of different indigenous wine varieties and numerous attention-getting and popular wines such as Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello and Chianti Classico, to name a few, Italian Merlot doesn’t rise to the level of wide popular recognition.
However, Merlot wines have increased in popularity in recent years with increased production of both blended wines as well as 100 percent Merlot wines. ...read the article»New
Mirto and the Bounty of Sardinia
Whenever my friend Andrea schedules a return visit to his native Sardinia, I try to remember to ask him to bring back a bottle of Mirto for me and to give him some cash to cover the cost. It’s one of my favorite after-dinner drinks and since it’s difficult to find in the U.S. his courtesies in this regard are always appreciated.
Mirto is a liqueur unique to the islands of Sardinia and Corsica. It is made ...read the article»New
Cheery Italian Sparkling Wine for Summer Festivities
A charming and refreshing but lesser known option in the Italian sparkling wine lineup is Brachetto d’Acqui. Like most other Italian sparkling wines, Brachetto d’Acqui (bra ket’ tah dahk’ qui) is produced in the cooler regions of northern Italy, in this case the Piedmont region in northwestern Italy. This seductive red sparkler is just waiting to be discovered by the American wine public. This delicately sparkling, light ruby-colored wine is characterized by pronounced red fruit aromas ...read the article»