Manzoni Bianco (Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13) is a white grape variety created by professor Luigi Manzoni in the 1930’s. Professor Manzoni was an instructor at the Viticulture and Oenology School of Conegliano in Veneto. In the mid 1920’s, he decided to experiment crossing vines to create new grape varieties. The process takes prolonged periods of timeContinue reading “February 23rd-Manzoni Bianco”
Category Archives: Monthly Schedules
February 16th-Limniona and Xinomavro
Limniona and Xinomavro are both Greek red grape varieties. Xinomavro is quite a bit more common than Limniona but Limniona is increasing in popularity. Limniona has been around for decades but had always been used as a blending grape. It didn’t get bottles as a single varietal wine until 2007. It originates from the regionContinue reading “February 16th-Limniona and Xinomavro”
February 9th-Gelber Muskateller
This week, I found myself at my favorite local wine shop looking for some unusual finds when the owners pointed me in the direction of this variety. The proprietors know my affinity for the obscure and are always eager to help me find something new. Muskateller is an indigenous grape to Europe, presumably from theContinue reading “February 9th-Gelber Muskateller”
February 2nd-Field Blends
Fields blends may sound mundane but they can be delightfully surprising. Most vineyards are planted with specific grape varieties. When a vineyard is planted with multiple varieties and these grapes are harvested and fermented at the same time, it results in a field blend wine. This style of wine is most common in Old WorldContinue reading “February 2nd-Field Blends”
January 26th-Arneis
Arneis is a white grape variety from the northern portion of Italy in the Piedmont region. This is the same place you would find wines like Barolo and Barbaresco. It is most commonly found around the hills in the Roero where it also has a DOCG status. Arneis is a difficult grape to cultivate, whichContinue reading “January 26th-Arneis”
January 19th-Bourboulenc
’ve been holding on to this bottle for a little bit looking for the right time to drink it and this week seemed to fit that bill! Bourboulenc is a whtie wine varietal originating in the Rhȏne Valley in southeastern France. When used in France, it is commonly a blending grape. Plantings have been locatedContinue reading “January 19th-Bourboulenc”
January 12th-Prié Blanc
Prié Blanc is a lesser known wine variety that also goes by the name Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle. It is a white wine grape indigenous and grown exclusively in the north western Alpine region of Vallée d’Aoste in Italy. This wine region has some of the highest elevations to produce grapes withinContinue reading “January 12th-Prié Blanc”
January 5th-Armenia
When you think of wine, probably the last place that comes to mind is Armenia. The countries that make up the Caucasus region (Armenia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan) were inhabited by humans dating back to 9000 BC. There have been debates regarding which country has been making wine the longest but in 1997, the definitive answerContinue reading “January 5th-Armenia”
December 29th-Sauternes
Sauternes is a sweet white wine made in the southern portion of the Bordeaux region in France. It is made from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes that are both left on the vine past the normal harvest time until they become infected with Noble Rot, also known as Botrytis. While most fungus is detrimental toContinue reading “December 29th-Sauternes”
December 22nd-Barbera
Barbera is an often overlooked red wine variety that is extremely food friendly. It’s rich, ruby color can be a bit misleading because while it looks more similar to a Syrah, it drinks more like Pinot Noir (think higher acid, lower tannin, and juicy red fruit and earthy notes). It is indigenous to the PiedmontContinue reading “December 22nd-Barbera”
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 