Mallorca is part of the Balearic Islands, which are part of Spain. Mallorca is located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Barcelona and east of Valencia. Mallorcan wines are undergoing a revival after local and imported varieties nearly reached extinction. This revival started in the 1990s due to local winemakers investing in updated infrastructure andContinue reading “August 21st- Mallorcan Blanc”
Category Archives: Monthly Schedules
August 14th-Persan
Persan is a rare red grape variety that is believed to have originated in Savoie. Some subscribe to other theories on its origin, such as it coming to France from Persia or Cyprus. Persan vines are known for producing ample small bunches of berries. Prior to the European phylloxera outbreak in the late 1800s, PersanContinue reading “August 14th-Persan”
August 7th-Dureza
Dureza is a red grape variety indigenous to northern Rhone. Dureza is a nearly extinct grape that is a genetic parent of Syrah. The other parent grape of Syrah is Mondeuse Blanche, a white mutation of Mondeuse Noir. Mondeuse, both noir and blanche, are indigenous to the Savoie region of southeastern France. Mondeuse Blanche stillContinue reading “August 7th-Dureza”
July 31st-Chatus
Chatus is an ancient red grape that was originally found in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy but also used to be the most widely planted grape in southern France to the Alps. Unfortunately, Chatus is susceptible to phylloxera. Following the phylloxera outbreak across Europe, the Chatus vines were not replanted and the grape wasContinue reading “July 31st-Chatus”
July 24th-Arbane
Arbane, or Crénillat as it is known in the Gier Valley in Loire, is an ancient white grape that has very limited plantings remaining. The majority of the total 1 hectare of plantings are in Champagne. A grower in Rhone has used DNA from old vines for the region to re-establish limited plantings of someContinue reading “July 24th-Arbane”
July 17th-Passerina
Passerina is a somewhat rare and ancient white grape that is believed to be indigenous to the Adriatic coast in central Italy. It is widely grown in the Marche and Abruzzo regions, located northeast and east of Rome respectively. It can be used to make a varietal wine or it can be blended with otherContinue reading “July 17th-Passerina”
July 10th-Rossese Bianco di Monforte
Rossese Bianco di Monforte is an extremely rare white grape that is made by five producers in Monforte d’Alba in northwest Italy. Plantings of the grape were once widespread across the Piedmont and Liguria regions but today only small plantings remain. It was rescued from extinction in the 1980s by Giovanni Manzone when he foundContinue reading “July 10th-Rossese Bianco di Monforte”
July 3rd-Pelaverga
Pelaverga is an ancient red grape indigenous to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. Some theorize it dates back to the 8th century in this area. It is commonly blended with Barbera or Nebbiolo. It can also be made into a varietal wine. Pelaverga is also known as Cari in the areas of Chieri andContinue reading “July 3rd-Pelaverga”
June 26th-Barolo Chinato
Barolo Chinato (kee-NA-toe) is an digestive from the Barolo DOCG in Piedmont, Italy. It was originally created by a pharmacist as a remedy for common ailments, including upset stomach and a colicky baby. It is made by soaking medicinal herbs with a neutral base alcohol, like vermouth, to extract the flavors. The resulting elixir isContinue reading “June 26th-Barolo Chinato”
June 12th-Sciacchetrà
Sciacchetrà is a DOC sweet wine made in Cinque Terre, Italy. On a recent trip to the region, I had the opportunity to stop at Cantina Sassarini for a visit. This wine is not exported to the US, so the best option for sampling it is to travel to the region. It is made withContinue reading “June 12th-Sciacchetrà”
A Trip Around the World of Wine in 52 Weeks 