Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Villa Calcinaia Conti Capponi Chianti

 



CONTI CAPPONI

CHIANTI

VILLA CALCINAIA




Conti Sebastiano Capponi

CHIANTI

Part 1




Sebastiano Capponi

On CHIANTI

Part 2





VILLA CALCINAIA

Part 3













CONTI CAPPONI

SEBASTIANO CAPPONI

VILLA CALCINAIA

GREVE, ITALY





The COUNT of TUSCAN

Conti Sebastiano Capponi






HOTELS in TUSCANY

AND WORLDWIDE







Conti Sebastiano Capponi (Villa Cacinaia  - Greve)

Bestsellin Cookbook Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

And Giovanni Manetti of Fontodi Vineyards, Panzano

AT The CHIANTI GRAND TASTING

NEW YORK 2022










Sebastiano Capponi on Villa Calcinaia

GREVE in CHIANTI






Piedmont Wine Region Italy Barolo Barbaresco

 



The LANGHE

HILLS of PIEMONTE

ITALY







The WINES of PIEMONTE

BAROLO /  BARBARESCO

BARBERA  /  DOLCETTO





Serralunga di Alba






Ornata Vineyard - Pio Cesare

Serralunga d' Alba







ORNATA VINEYARD

Pioe Cesare














Friday, August 12, 2022

Big Dogs Italian Wine New York NYC

.

ITALIAN WINE CULTURE NEW YORK


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Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi

with Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke and Marchese Leonardo Frescobaldi

in NEW YORK

.

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SASSICAIA Winemaker SEBASTIANO ROSA

with Friends Daniel Bellino-Zwicke and GIOVANNI FOLNARI of NOZZOLE

NEW YORK



Marchese Piero Antinori with Writer Daniel Bellino-Zwicke in NEW YORK 

Marchese Piero Antinor with New York Writer Daniel Bellino-Zwicke



Ferdinando Frescobaldi and Daniel Bellino Zwicke in NEW YORK

MARCHESE FERDINANDO FRESCOBALDI 

Meets with Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

 BRUNELLO EVENT 

NEW YORK

2005

Daniel Bellino-Zwicke & Calvalieri Luigi Cappellini at DeGrezia Restorante NEW YORK 

LUIGI CAPPELLINI  (L) the Propritor of CASTELO VERRAZZANO 

GREVE in CHIANTI

Meeting with Friend and Wine Director of DeGrezia Restorante 

DANIEL BELLINO ZWIKCE 

NEW YORK NY





The Girls of VERRAZZANO

Greve, Italy

In NEW YORK with Their Awesome CHIANTI

Favorite of Friend and author DanielBellino Zwicke





"MY FAVORITE CHIANTI"

CASTELLO VERRAZZANO

GREVE


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Count Francesco Muroni Cinzano (R) Propietor of Col D'ORCIA

Meets with DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

at DeGrezia Restorante in NEW YORK



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Gianpaoulo Motta & Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

at Bottega del Vino, Verona Italy



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Antonio Rallo of Donnafugata

with Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke



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The KING of BARBARESCO

ITALO STUPINO with Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

CASTELO di NEIVE BARABRESCO "SANTA STEFANO"




GOING to The AMALFI COAST ?


POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

FOOD WINE HOTELS

TRAVEL INFO

STORIES & RECIPES





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Daniel Bellino Zwicke & Nadia Zenato

at WINEBOW Portfolio Tasting NEW YORK

ZENATO AMARONE

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63099-sunday-saucesmall1


SUNDAY SAUCE

WHEN ITALIAN-AMERICANS COOK

AMAZON.com


 




YOUR MOST TRUSTED TICKET AGENT

FLYING ALL OVER THE WORLD







HOTELS ANYWHERE in The WORLD





GIANTS of CHIANT



CONTI SEBASTIANI CAPPONI (L) Villa Calcinaia

And GIOVANNI MANEETI (R) Fontodi

With Daniel Bellino Zwicke





Conti Giuseppe Tasca

TASCA ALMERITA

SICILY


Tasca D'Almerita and Daniel Bellino Zwicke, Vittorio Fiore with Marilisa Allegrini, and Angela Macullan at Winebow Tasting 2008 Some ot the "Big Guns" of ITALIAN WINE where in Town and at the Winebow Portfolio Tasting on September 16th & 17th. 

First-Off was Vittorio Fiore, one of the Greatest Italian Winemakers of this time or anytime. Vittorio was Show his renowned Super Tuscan Wine "Il Carbonaione" Vittorio produces Il Carbonaione on his beautiful wine estate Podere Poggio Scalette high up in one of Greve's highest vineyards where you can see the whole Chianti Classico wine zone from this vantage point. It is a beautiful sight where I have been fortunate on two occasions to spend time tasting wine with Vittorio and his sons while nibbling on the wonderful homemade Salami and Prosciutto that son and Vineyard Manager Jyuri Fiore makes with the help from great old friend "Dante." Dante is a wonderful old village farmer who knows how to make fantastic Salumi, among other things. He's a absolute gem! 

 Il Carbonaione is made of 100% Sangiovese. The 2004 vintage that Vittorio was pouring at the tasting was absolute perfection, strong but not too concentrated, exhibiting nice Black Cherry and earthiness in ,the mouth. Vittorio says it is one of his best vintage ever, "I agree completely." Marilisa Allegrini (another Heavy Hitter) was on hand as well. Showing all the great Allegrini wines, including; La Grolla, La Poja, and their 2003 Amarone, which as usual is one of the regions top producers of famed Amarone. Giuseppe Tasca d' Almerita was present. Giuseppe and his family make one of Sicily's most famous and renowned wines "Rosso del Conte" Rosso del Conte is mad of 100% Nero d'Avola. This wine along with "Duca Enrico" is the greatest and most prestigious in all of Sicily. When tasted, I had a incredible explosion of Ripe Red Fruit flavors in my mouth. The wine was phenomenal, smooth, silky, and perfectly balance as Rosso del Conte usually is. This is one of Italy most consistently wonderful premium wines. "Always Great!" 

... reported by Daniel Bellino Zwicke







RENZO & DANNY

TERLATO TASTING

NEW YORKThe Big Guns of New York Italian Wine were out and about yesterday. Two of New York's Top Italian Wine Guys, Renzo Raspiacolli (Wine Director Barbetta) and author Daniel Bellino Zwicke (Wine Director DeGrezia / Writer) were spotted at The Terlato Tasting at Harlow in New York tasting and smoozing with non other than Gaia Gaja (daughter of Angelo Gaja) and other wine luminaries. The good friends and two of America's top Italian Wine Authorities hung out and tasted from table-to-table: Chapoutier, great Bollinger Vintage Chamagne, Nino Franco Prosecco from good friend Primo Franco, IL Poggione Brunello and other wines. The highlight of course being the Gaja Barbaresco Brunello and Barolo offerings of which Gaia Gaja poured for the 2 Bug Wine Dogs personally. Daniel said he especially loved the Gaja Coste Russi 2009 .. Daniel also loved the Bollinger Vintage Champagnes, but was quite disappointed with the Brunello's from Il Poggone of which he said were extremely dissapointing. He said the Il Poggione Brunello's at the tasting were flat, and lacked flavor and overall balance. He stated that he has always loved this producer, and for this reason he was so surprised at the showing of these wines.

Daniel and Renzo then moved on to The Palm Bay tasting at Quality Meats a few blocks away on 58th Street. The two Italian Wine Guys were greeted by some great sparklers from Italy's Premier Sparkling Wine Produce Ferrari. They tasted  Giulio Ferrari Brut 2001,  Perle Brut 1999,  and Perle Nero Brut  2006 .. The two agreed that these wines were all spectacular and quite a treat as they were only expecting to taste the Non-Vintage Wines of Ferrari and not the special vintages.
Daniel and Renzo then moved on to taste with Francesco Mazzie of Mazzei. 

They tasted Mix 36 (100 % Sangiovese) and "Philip" 2008  100% Cabernet Sauvignon and then moved on to the special treat of the table a vertical of Mazzei's famed Super Tuscan "Siepi" 2003  2005  2006 and 2007 vintages. All were outstanding and Daniel said he liked them all, but the 2003 vintage with its concentrated exotic flavors was his fave.

Daniel tasted the wines of Santa Rita (Chile) with owner Cecilia. They chatted about mutual friend Alvaro Espinosa. Daniel liked all the wines from Cecilia and Santa Rita, his favorite being th Carmenere "Pehuen" 2005, but thought the wines were a bit expensive at mid 30's 40's and $50 the bottle for wines from Chile, Daniel said, "They're a hard sell."






Vittorio Fiore with Marilisa Allegrini

Winebow Tasting

NEW YORK





Cavelieri Luigi Cappelini

Of CASTELLO VERRAZZANO Greve

With Daniel Bellino Zwicke










ANGELA MACULAN

MACULAN WINES

LAKE GARDA, ITALY





SEBASTIANO ROSA

Famed Winemaker of SASSICAIA and BURUA

with Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

At  the 2009 TRE BICCHIERI TASTING in NEW YORK



The Big Guns of Italian Wine were out at the annual Tre Bicchieri Tasting held at the Metropolitan Pavilion on West 18th Street yesterday. M. Rallo of Fiarrato was on hand with 3 Glass Winner Rebecca 2010 as was famed wine-maker Sebastiano Rosa who makes a great Sardenian Wine based on 100% Carignan. It's called Barrua and a joint venture with Cantina Santadi and Mr. Rosa. Sebastiano just so happens to be the winemaker of Italy's most prestigious wine "SASSICAIA" which won Red Wine of The Year this year for the 2009 Vintage at the 2013 Tre Bicchieri. Wow, this is the "Best Vintage of Sassicaia" that I've had in the last 10 years. The wine is perfectly balanced, and when a wine is in perfect balance, there's nothing else to say except that "It's as Good as It Gets." Bravo Sebastiano! Sebastiano Rosa is a member of the Incisa Rochetta family who own the famed Tenuta San Guido Estate that makes Sassicaia in Bolgheri on the Tuscan Coast. Sebastiano's cousin (Cujino) Piero Incisa Rochetta, who is usually on hand at the Tre Bicchieri Events was nowhere to be seen today. No matter, I had a nice little chat with the affable Sebastiano before I went on to taste more wine.

More wine yes. And if I was to pick out just two wines on the day that really blew me away, it was the Sassicaia 2009 and a great Barolo from my friend Giuseppe Vjra and his offering of Barolo Cerretta Luigi Baudana 2008. This wine was amazing and a perfect example of what a great and classical Barolo should taste like, with wonderful Earth, Mushroom, and fruit. The wine, if I must use the phrase again, was in perfect balance and a text-book Barolo. So if you know Barolo, you know what I'm talking about, it is a great wine. Basta!
So another Tre Bicchieri in the bag, my 17th, and as usual a great day to drink great italian Wine, but even more so, see and hang-out with a few Wine-Making friends from Italy and fellow New York Italian Wine Guys. A great day.






I loved all of the Amarone 's that Masi was showing at the Italian Portfolio Tasting 

The were showing Amarone Mazano 2007 which was really nice and heavy on the prune flavors.

The 2007 Amarone Campolongo was awesome as was the Amarone Costera 2009 ..
My favorite Amarone of the day was Seregho Aligheri 2008 which is one of the few wines in the world aged in large Cherry Wood Cask .. 

The wine was AMAZING !!!








With My Pal VINCE ATTARD

Tre Bicchieri 2022







Daniel Bellino Zwicke

With MARCHESE LAMBERTO FRESCOBALDI

TRE BICCHIERI 

2022

NEW YORK NY





Conti Sebastiano Capponi

With a Novel Written by his Brother

Conti Nicola Capponi

CHIANTI TASTING

NEW YORK 2022






GAI GAJA

TERLATO TASTING

NEW YORK

2012










MARCO De BARTOLI

Trapani, Sicily

RIBECA

Perricone grown in TRAPANI








Winemaker of Sassicaia & Punica Wines SEBASTIANO ROSA
with Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke and Roberta Morrel of Morrel WInes
Get Together for a little Wine and Chat at Kobrand Italian Portfolio Tasting
at The Bowery Hotel, New York, New York

JOBRAND TASTING

The BOWERY HOTEL 2014





Emelia Nardi with Daniel Bellino-Zwicke

Tasting some Great Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino





Alberto Chiarlo with Author Daniel Bellino-Zwicke
Alberto Chiarlo the proprietor of Michele Chiarlo  Wines 
of Piemonte got together for a tasting of Alberto's latest vintages
of wine, including Barbera Le Orme, Barolo Tortoniano 2010,
Michele Chairlo Barbaresco 2011, Barolo Cerequio 2010,
and Barolo Canubi Michele Chairlo 2007 & 2001 Vintges ..

Daniel said the whole line-up of wines was absolutely Amazing! 
everything was in perfect balance, full of flavor and a joy to drink.

The BOWERY HOTEL 

NEW YORK 

2014



 




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Thursday, August 11, 2022

What is Barolo

 




BAROLO Aging in SLOVENIAN CASK




WHAT is BAROLO

Barolo is made from the Nebbiolo grape, or more precisely, from three sub-varieties of Nebbiolo, whose name recalls the fog (‘nebbia’ in Italian) that often envelopes the hills and valleys where it’s made at the time of the vendemmia.  

Just eleven comuni (towns) are allowed to produce Barolo, all comprised within a small area in the province of Cuneo, to the east of the regional capital of Turin: La Morra, Barolo, Verduno, Castiglione Falletto, Monforte d’Alba, Serralunga, Novello, Roddi, Grinzano Cavour, Diano d’Alba and Cherasco.

While the Nebbiolo grape, which some consider indigenous to Piedmont, has likely existed in the region since the 1st century AD (but ‘only’ explicitly mentioned with this name in 1268), Barolo is a more modern invention; among the figures who played a significant role in its development is none other than Camillo Benso Count of Cavour, known by most for being a statesman and the leading figure in the movement towards Italian unification.

It all happened on the Grinzane estate, a castle surrounded by vineyards less than 100 kilometers from Turin, which once belonged to Cavour’s family. A young Camillo (22 years old) was sent there in 1832 by his father, who wanted to distance him from Turin, in an attempt to control his hot-blooded personality and liberal spirit. Thus, for a while, Cavour shifted his energy and passion from politics to winemaking, determined to make Nebbiolo, which was already being produced on the family’s estate, the best on the market. 

As far as Italian wine regions go, it’s hard to beat Barolo. Crowds are thinner than in Chianti, the food better than in Friuli, the landscape lusher than in Umbria or Sicily. In the heart of Italy’s northwestern Piedmont region — a gastronomic paradise famous for its rich pastas and white truffles that are in season right now — this noble wine region encompasses the town of Barolo and 10 nearby municipalities. In addition to producing the most venerated of Italian wines — the robust, age-worthy Barolo — the region is also a delight to visit, especially in autumn after a trip to the annual truffle festival in the nearby city of Alba. Along winding roads that climb steep hillsides blanketed with neat rows of nebbiolo vines, there’s always an ancient castle up ahead, or a world-famous wine estate, or a storybook hamlet with swoon-worthy views. Just bring an appetite.







In SHORT

1)   Barolo is a wine from the Piedmont region of Italy.

2)   Barolo is made of 100% Nebbiolo grapes, grown in 11 different communes
       south of Alba.

3)   Barolo is a DOCG Wine. Italy's highest rating for native wines.

4)   Barolo must be aged 2 years in wood barrels or cask, and 1 year in bottle before 
        it can be released onto the market.

5)    Barolo is a wine made for aging. It is austere and rich with tannins, which help
         the wine to age for decades if desired.


Nebbiolo is very special. It delivers cherry and strawberry notes that are quite precise and pure. But there are also nuances that really set Nebbiolo apart, especially as it starts to age. These flavors are usually described as rose, tar, porcini and wild herbs like sage. Nebbiolo is a grape that truly enchants in a way that only Pinot Noir can compare.








NEED a ROOM in PIEDMONT

And WORLDWIDE












BAROLO / BARBARESCO Wine Tour






PRIVATE TRUFFLE HUNT 

BAROLO WINE TASTING











TOUR DESCRIPTION


Italy's Piedmont region is a gastronomic hotspot, and on this private tour, you'll have the opportunity not just to taste but to hunt for one of its most famous culinary products: the truffle.  Go behind-the-scenes and join a truffle hunter and his dog on a walk through the woods in search of these hidden treasures. Depending on the season, this 1-1.5-hour hunt will lead you in search of the White Truffle of Alba (in season from late September to January) or the black Scorzone truffle (in season during the Summer months). Truffle hunting involves walking on paths that can be slippery, muddy, and occasionally steep, so appropriate footwear is strongly recommended.  After the truffle hunt, learn the secrets of Barolo winemaking in a visit to a family-run winery. Sample 4-5 types of Barolo and discover what makes this local wine special.











BAROLO BOYS