Theloosetannin

Oct 26-Timorasso

Timorasso is a white grape from the Piedmont region of northern Italy. It is another of the white grapes indigenous to this area where reds reign supreme. It was rare in the not too distant past but is seeing a resurgence in notoriety. Some speculate, though unconfirmed, that writings documenting this vine’s existence date backContinue reading “Oct 26-Timorasso”

Oct 19th-Monica

A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to taste some wines produced on the island of Sardinia, located to the west of mainland Italy, just north of the African country of Tunisia. Sardinia produces some fairly well known grapes (Vermentino, Gracianio), as well as a few that are lesser known (Monica, Nuragus). Monica isContinue reading “Oct 19th-Monica”

Oct 12th-Spergola

Spergola is a white grape variety indigenous to the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. Although the grape is mentioned in text at least as far back as the early 19th century, until recently, it was believed to be the same as Sauvignon Blanc. Genetic testing proved it to be a unique variety in 2001. TheContinue reading “Oct 12th-Spergola”

Oct 5th-Feteascӑ Albӑ

Romanian wines are not easy to come by because the country retains over 90% for domestic consumption. The exported portion largely stays within Europe. Only about 0.4% of the total production will make it to the US. Knowing this, when I was at the local wine shop and the owner said he had a bottleContinue reading “Oct 5th-Feteascӑ Albӑ”

Sept 28th-Ruchè

Ruchè, or Rouchet, is a red grape that is thought to be indigenous to the Piedmont region of Northwestern Italy (but some believe it may have come from Burgundy). Only if the grape is grown within the defined geographical area of the Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG, can the bottle bear the Ruchè name. ThisContinue reading “Sept 28th-Ruchè”

Sept 21st-Piccola Nera

In keeping with my recent trend, this week I selected another grape with very little information available about it due the grape’s scarcity. Piccola Nera (translated means ‘little black’ and is named so because of the size and color of the grape) is a red grape found primarily in Trieste in northeastern Italy. This regionContinue reading “Sept 21st-Piccola Nera”

Sept 14th-Perricone

Perricone is a red grape native to the Italian island of Sicily. On the western side of Sicily, around Palermo and Trapani, it is known as Pignatello. This name is believed to be the result of the red soils of Trapani called pignatidare. Perricone has been misidentified many times over the years, being mistaken forContinue reading “Sept 14th-Perricone”

Sept 7th-Inzolia

Inzolia is a white grape most likely native to the island of Sicily, an Italian island off the toe of the boot of the mainland. It is also grown in Tuscany where it goes by the name Ansonica. In Sicily, Inzolia is most notably used in the production of Marsala wine, partly due to theContinue reading “Sept 7th-Inzolia”

August 31st-Nascetta

Nascetta is an indigenous white grape variety to the Alba area within the region of Piedmont in northern Italy. Alba is far more renowned for being home to Barbera d’Alba, Nebbiolo d’Alba, and Dolcetto d’Alba. Alba is located in the Langhe DOC. The wines produced in this appellation can contain various combinations of the 14Continue reading “August 31st-Nascetta”

August 24th-Tressalier (Sacy)

Tressalier is an ancient white grape from the region of Saint-Pourçain of northern France. The grape also used to be grown in other areas between Paris and Dijon, where it is known by the name Sacy. Today, it is primarily grown in Saint-Pourçain, where it can consist of 20-40% of blends with Chardonnay. It isContinue reading “August 24th-Tressalier (Sacy)”