The words that I kept hearing (during a media trip to Italy’s Romagna region in the steamy Summer of 2023) from Cesena’s winemakers were “Big Fruit.” Located just to the south of Bertinoro, along the northern edge of the region, Cesena is dominated by clay soils with yellow sands. According to those winegrowing within Cesena,…
Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for December 18, 2023
2019 Chicharo Tinto (Tejo): Extremely pretty, but with a wild side (as in, wild herbs and wild berries). $NA B+
2015 Dom Bella Cabernet Franc (Dao): CF takes a Portuguese holiday and finds the climate more than suitable to its constitution. $NA A-
2020 Luis Pato Vinhas Velhas (Baga): Pepper, wild berries, delight, and a sense of elegance…
“Burn You Like the Midday Sun, Awwwww!” (Exploring Romagna’s Bertinoro)
When I visited Celli in Italy’s Romagna, for a media tasting of some of the sub-area’s best wines, it was hot. And I don’t mean equatorial-Africa hot (I’ve been there, and it’s pretty hot). I mean more like Houston-in-early-August levels of hot. Like, 3rd ring of the 7th Circle of Hell hot. The heat wave…
Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for December 11, 2023
2021 La Sabbiona ‘Guilia’ Passito (Albana di Romagna): A light, lithe showing of Romagna’s sweet honeyed dessert goodness. $37 A-
2021 Merlotta ‘Ombre di Luna’ (Albana di Romagna Passito): A floral explosion of lemon blossom & Bergamot, with a beguilingly soft and balanced palate landing. $NA A-
2021 Fattoria Zerbina AR Passito Riserva (Albana di Romagna): Jasmine and mandarins usher in this decadent, expressive, and expertly…