VINOCIBO’s Post

You know Argentinian Malbec, but what of Argentinian Sangiovese? The grape has a long history in the country, but as Malbec soared in popularity, Sangiovese seemed to fall off the country’s vinous map. BIRA Wines wanted to honour their Italian heritage and create Sangiovese the Argentinian way, in the picturesque vineyards of The Uco Valley. We recently caught up with Santiago Bernasconi, co-founder of BIRA Wines, in the latest instalment of our Discover series, to uncover the hidden gems of The Uco Valley and talk all things Sangiovese. Read the full article via the link below: https://bit.ly/3UDjQDH

When asked what the most popular grape in Italy is, most people will answer "Sangiovese", but the Montepulciano grape is the second most planted red grape and one to know. Montepulciano tends to dominate the more mountainous and warmer eastern and southern portions of the Italian peninsula, especially in Abruzzo. It is dark and inky, yet is easy drinking and enjoyable. That is why the 2021 Febo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC is the Please The Palate wine of the week.

Harvest period is getting closer and closer. The most important period for every winery and winemaker around the world. The line up of #constantinouwinery starts with the variety of Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. Most of Shiraz grapes come from lower altitude vine growing regions (700-750m). Moving on to another international grape variety Grenache or Granacha which holds a part of two blends of the winery the Rose - Levanda and the Velvet - red. Cabernet Sauvignon comes next for the production of the full bodied Cab.S. Some quantities of Mattaro as well before we move on to the indigenous varieties of Maratheftiko or Vamvakada (black grape variety/ high acidities/ high tannins/ producing full bodied red wines or fruitty roses from earlier harvesting). Last but not least we have the most planted grape variety - Xynisteri. Xynisteri in greek means that the variety lacks acidity. A very important variety for the island which considers as the leading variety for the production of still dry, off-dry, sweet and sparkling wines as well. Hope for a succesful harvest 2024 🍾🍷

Capitoni Riserva 2019: The colour is medium ruby. On the nose prunes and stewed fruits. In the mouth soft and warm, probably mainly due to the 15% alcohol. The aftertaste is rather short. This wine is made with 85% Sangiovese and 15% Merlot grapes under the Orcia DOC denomination. The Orcia vineyard areas sit in the south-east of Tuscany, between the districts of Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and covers the largest surface of any DOC in Tuscany. Inaugurated on Valentine’s Day of the year 2000, it is also among the youngest DOCs of Tuscany and is yet to earn itself prestige. As in the other denominations of Tuscany, Sangiovese is the leading variety in Orcia DOC as well. It must account for a minimum of 60% of the blend. To qualify as a Riserva, a Orcia wine must be aged a minimum of 24 months, of which at least 12 in oak barrels. For this bottle I paid 18 EUR directly at the winery, when I visited it in Pienza during last year’s All Saints Holidays.

Shiraz and Syrah are two names for the same grape variety, but they often represent different styles of wine. While Syrah is the traditional name used in France and many other parts of the world, Shiraz is the name commonly used in Australia. Here we explore further.

Today's Lodi Wine post covers everything you need to know about Assyrtiko (https://lnkd.in/gBAznvX5), the ancient Greek grape that has all the viticultural and sensory attributes necessary to become a major Lodi wine of the future. #assyrtiko #perlegosfamilywine #lodiwine #lodiwinecountry #randycaparosophotography

SOUTH AFRICA HAS ITS OWN UNIQUE WINE – PINOTAGE Did you know Pinotage is the only grape varietal unique to South Africa? 🍇 South Africa's fertile soil supports many grape varietals, including Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. However, Pinotage stands out as a unique South African creation. The Origin: Developed in 1925 by Abraham Perold, Stellenbosch’s first professor of viticulture, Pinotage is a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. This wine is celebrated for its deep red colour, high tannins, and smoky dark fruit flavours with earthy bramble characteristics. It’s also commonly blended to create the famous Cape Blend. Taste Test: Pinotage can be polarizing – some adore it, while others don’t. It’s worth tasting a few to form your own opinion. Experience South Africa's unique wine heritage with Winelands Private Transfers. Let us guide you through the vineyards and the rich history of Pinotage. 🍷 #FunFactFriday #Pinotage #SouthAfricanWine #WinelandsPrivateTransfers #WineLovers #Stellenbosch

Understanding Italian Wines: What is Chianti Rùfina Terraelectae https://lnkd.in/dbg8324i

In today’s ever-crowded global wine market, such a lack of recognition can pose significant challenges for producers. Yet, some winemakers in the region view this as an opportunity rather than a setback. They see Lazio as a sanctuary for experimentation and a realm of winemaking freedom—a sort of Italian New World of wine. In a movement reminiscent of the Super Tuscan revolution that emerged before the end of the last century, Lazio winemakers are increasingly embracing this freedom by intentionally sidestepping the region’s lesser-known appellation and its accompanying regulations, choosing instead to craft “super-Lazio” expressions labelled as IGT Lazio or as simple table wine.

What is old vine? How does it affect the wine? #Oldvines, which are abundant in the vineyards of North-eastern Spain, produce even more terroir-specific, concentrated wines due to their lower yields and well-established, deep roots. A particular characteristic of old vines is that they have to be manually harvested and from one vine you can only obtain 75cl of wine. Today, these old Garnacha vineyards are 50-100 years old on average, and at different altitudes in exceptional surroundings. Viticulturists from the five Designations of Origin (DO) that primarily cultivate Garnacha in Spain (Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena, Priorat and Tierra Alta) are reclaiming the history of this variety and producing wines with a strong sense of place. (Photo from Bodegas San Valero)