italy Archives - Dr. Liz Thach, MW

Franciacorta Targets U.S. Growth via Michelin Guide Partnership and L.A. Tastings

Enjoying Franciacorta Sparkling Wine from Italy. THE FRANCIACORTA CONSORTIUM Have you ever enjoyed a bottle of Franciacorta sparkling wine from Italy? Though Italy is known for producing many delicious styles of sparkling wine, such as Prosecco, Lambrusco, Asti Spumante and the fresh clean sparklers from the Trentodoc region, in Italy, Franciacorta is considered to the the ultimate luxury choice for sparkling wine. Franciacorta sparkling wines are crafted in the same way as Champagne - with second fermentation in the bottle. They also use two of the Champagne grapes - Chardonnay and Pinot - but are allowed to add small amounts [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2026-09-04T09:49:20-07:00August 31, 2026|

A Silver Lining for Chianti Classico

Needless to say, 2020 has been challenging for most of us. Fortunately, some vintners in Italy are trying to make the most of the situation despite an overall decline in wine sales. Chianti Classico Consortium, one of the oldest Italian wine consortiums with 515 Chianti producer members, remarks how vineyards have “never looked so good” as a result of winemakers having extraordinary time to dedicate greater care on the 2020 vintage. Beautiful vineyard slopes of Chianti. New opportunities for Chianti wineries To provide extra support for Chianti producers and boost local economy, the organization launched several initiatives, such as financing [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T17:31:58-08:00September 27, 2020|

Ferrari Cars Celebrate With Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wines

Two iconic Italian brands come together in Florence on September 12 and 13th to celebrate the 1000th Grand Prix. The famous Ferrari car company partners with the historic Ferrari Trento sparkling wine company for this special occasion. Photo Credit: Ferrari Scuderia and Ferrari Trento Sparkling Wine For the first time in its history, the Mugello Circuit will host a FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ class race, and its coinciding with the important milestone of Scuderia Ferrari –the only team present in all of the 70 editions raced till now – has created the perfect occasion for celebrating in style in Florence with a Gala [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-02-06T21:03:25-08:00September 12, 2020|

Wine Harvest Begins Early in Italy, France, and California – with a Promising Harvest at Ornellaia

Due to stronger heat than normal this summer, many famous wine regions are beginning grape harvest one to three weeks earlier in 2020, compared to previous years. In Italy, at Ornellaia Winery, nestled in the heart of Bolgheri on the Tuscan Coast, harvest commenced on August 13, one week earlier than usual. In addition to the heat, they have had to adjust to the new COVID safety protocols of social distancing in both the vineyards and the cellars. Social Distancing in Ornellaia Vineyard Social Distancing During Grape Harvest “Distancing is natural in the vineyards,” explains Estate Director Axel Heinz. However, [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-30T21:10:18-08:00August 21, 2020|

Make a Prosecco Cocktail to Celebrate National Prosecco Week

Hurray! It is National Prosecco Week – a perfect reason to run to the store and buy a bottle or more of Prosecco. As you probably know, true Prosecco is only made in Northern Italy from the Glera grape. It is light, fruity and bubbly – a perfect drink before dinner, or many other occasions. When you shop for Prosecco make sure to look for the Prosecco DOC symbol to insure you are buying a true Prosecco approved by the Consorzio di Tutela – the Italian organization that monitors production. So Many Prosecco Cocktail Recipes The other great thing about [...]

By Dr. Liz Thach, MW|2021-01-30T21:12:56-08:00July 23, 2020|

Hey, I Want to Taste the Moscato in the Blue Can!

Just in time for summer, New Jersey-based Royal Wine Corp. is releasing one of America’s most popular Italian-imported Moscatos, Bartenura, in a new format of 8.5 ounce cans – about 1.7 glasses per can – in packs of 4. Bartenura was one of the first premium Moscatos in the U.S, with continuing growth every year since it was introduced in 1980s. Credit: Bartenura Refreshing Summer Drink With a refreshing with a hint of sweetness, slightly effervescent and relatively lower alcohol content of 5% ACV, Bartenura is a perfect summer drink. Royal Corp has been trying to find alternative packaging formats for Bartenura [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T21:33:56-08:00June 25, 2020|

Famous Tuscan Winery Releases New Vintage with Focus on Sustainability

In April, world-renowned Ornellaia Winery in Tuscany, Italy, released its Grand Vin, Ornellaia Bolgheri DOC Superiore 2017. The name “Solare”, “radiant” in English, was chosen to define this vintage – unusual frost, heat and drought extremes, which nonetheless resulted in an elegant wine of bold personality. Ornellaia Solare 2017. Credit: Ornellaia How Does Ornellaia Solare Taste? Estate Director Axel Heinz remarked about the surprisingly harmonious wine crafted by winemakers’ gentle handling of slightly younger grapes. Solare has characteristic notes of liquorice and blackberries with velvety tannins, yet rich acidity and roundness with “Mediterranean sumptuousness”. From an Unpredictable, Extreme Climate A stark contrast [...]

By Fiona Fang|2021-01-30T21:49:55-08:00May 21, 2020|