Le Pergole Torte by Montevertine - an authentic starwine before the summer-break!

Dear Wine Lovers,

exactly one year ago, at this time, I was in Tuscany, in the Chianti Classico area, for one of my wine-maniac-trips. It was really hot but I had a lot of fun; I went to "Padellina" and had the best "Bistecca alla Fiorentina" ever, I've had a "Tête-à-tête" on-the-road meeting with a real live wild boar (Cinghiale), I visited the biggest wine-tasting-shop of Europe "Cantine di Greve in Chianti" and, for the first time in my life, tasted an amazing "bruschetta with spleen sauce". Unforgettable!

I love to explore the Tuscan hills anytime of the year and lose myself on the beautiful paths each time that I can. Oh, my lovely and unique Tuscany (sigh of relief)... Ok Angelo, now back on the main road!

During my wine-journeys, I always try to scheduled some visits to some wine-houses, maybe not always the famous ones cause I don't like the "tourist-approach" of the cellar-tour. There are some wine companies that have organized the cellar-tour with headphones and digital-virtual-assistant that can explain you all the information you need in any language you want. To me I consider that horrible, I'm not at Louvre or on the Alcatraz Island, I'm in a wine-cellar and I'd like to have a visit managed by the "cellar man" or by the owner. I have to feel the human passion that there is inside this inimitable product named WINE! No joke.

I knew a wine, one of the best cubby-wine of the world, produced by Azienda Agricola Montevertine, near Gaiole in Chianti and Radda in Chianti (gorgeous place dude), so I called them to set an appointment to visit the vineyard and the game was done! With a 2 minute call, I organized one of the best wine-tour-experiences of my life, a sensational authentic private tour drived by Andrea, the "cellarman" of Montevertine, a special person with a huge passion for his job and today I'm really honored to introduce you one of the first "100% Sangiovese grape" wine that have been producted:

Le Pergole Torte by Montevertine

(I'm on my knees now)

100% Sangiovese grape, amazing ruby-red colour, a glorious fruit explosion at the nose, unusual refinement and elegance on the palate but I don't want to make the wine analysis that you'll find on one thousand blogs all around the world... I'd like to give you the sensation and the dedication that has been made this wine, one of the best products of the world.

Mr. Sergio Manetti bought Montevertine in 1967 and he has brought this company from a pin-point to the worldwide success. Today his son, Martino Manetti, is driving Montervertine with a huge talent and the production is going really really well. I'd like to say that Mr. Manetti has been the "discoverer of authentic Chianti Classico", a pioneer!

There is a fun-fact that happened near 1970, when Mr. Manetti received strong criticism from the "Consorzio of Chianti Classico" due to him being the FIRST in Tuscany that covered the road of 100% Sangiovese grape wine; the "Consorzio" stigmatized the hardness of Sangiovese entirety in a wine... that's incredible. Today every winemaker produces Chianti Classico only with Sangiovese grapes, in purity, and Mr. Manetti had thought on this many years ago, he has been a precursor.

In Montervertine other great red wines are made like "Pian Del Ciampolo" and "Montevertine"; I have to insist that you sign this "appointment" for your next road-trip on the fantastic Tuscany hills.

Milano is hotter than hell and I can't continue to speak about red wine, so, I wish you a great holiday break and I hope to meet you on "Wine Lovers Corner" in September, when the leaves fall and the bottles uncork.

Thanks a lot for your friendship and remember that: enjoy wines, enjoy life!

Angelo D'Alessandro

thedeliciousworld@gmail.com

Like Hamlet I can say: sulfites or not sulfites, that is the question!

Hi Guys,

Today I'd like to talk about a famous fallacy about wines so, first of all, look at the title of this review!

Done that?

Ok, there is no doubt and no questions at all and I'll try to explain to you what I think about it.

Everyone of us have seen the written word "contains sulfites" on wine bottles and many of us have understood something like: "Oh my gosh... I'm going to drink a chemical potion".

No, no, really don't worry folks, wine needs "sulfur dioxide" (sulphites) to preserve itself and human beings, usually, tolerate it with no problem.

Someone could be allergic to the sulfites but this is another task; generally our body has no problem synthesizing this fundamental additive for our lovely wines.

Sulfites play a really important role in the winemaking production chain, they control the fermentation and the proliferation of "bad bacteria" that could damage wines.

Obviously, like everything, the use or abuse of the sulfites is to the discretion of the winemaker.

If the grape is sane and it has picked up at the right grade of maturation and if it has treated well (with care) from vineyard to the cellar the use of sulfites can be limited and proportioned with no problems.

My personal experience has been about one week ago. I was in my favourite wine-shop in Milano and I was looking for some "news". I've found a bottle of bio-wine from Sicily, Nerello Mascalese grape (that I love) a 1999 vintage (really risky for a bio-wine). At first the "sulfites or not sulfites" issue didn't occur to me so I bought two bottles of that wine and I'm back at home happy like a baby after his first sip of CocaCola.

I was preparing dinner, waiting for some friends and I had opened one bottle of the above mentioned win to let it breath for a couple of hours (not enough for a 1999 wine but better than nothing).

Popped the cork off and... horrible sensations, it was an extra-matured wine, smell like the worst Porto or Marlasala that I've ever whiffed, with a feeble red-brown colour, terrible nose and acid taste.

The base of this wine was a fabulous pool of amazing grapes, led by "the king" Nerello Mascalese but due to the absence of sulfites and the long period in the bottle, the result had been really negative: undrinkable wine.

So, I re-corked it, & opened another bottle for dinner and the day after I'm back at the wine-shop for the "restitution" of that wine.

Another think, remember that: SPIRITS ARE DEAD in THE BOTTLE, they live only in the oak but WINE LIVES also IN THE BOTTLE!

In reference to that, a wine can ruin itself due to a bad preservation or bad cork and you, the customer, have the possibility to go to the supermarket or wineshop with the "bad-wine" and with the relative receipt and ask for an exchange. You have right to do that.

So, dear wine lovers, sulfites, in the right dosed quantity, are one of the best wine-friends and we should be grateful for their action.

Last thing, I know that there are some bio-wine, to drink young, that are really good even without the control of the sulfites but I think that if you're searching for a good aged wine, produced in a traditional way, don't worry about the "sulfites indication".

Drink responsibly and you better stick around :)

Angelo D'Alessandro

thedeliciousworld@gmail.com

Baccarossa by Poggio Le Volpi - a Roman saying: "magnamo e bevemo finchè ce semo"

Hi Wine Lovers,

sorry for my delay but I have had some really challenging work weeks and I had no time to write a wine review.

Now, here I am and I'm really glad to take for a stroll arm in arm and show you the door of a fantastic Italian region named "Lazio".

Today our e-trip is at "Olevano Romano", an amazing medieval village only 70 km from Rome; located at the foot of the "Celeste" mountain in a spectacular landscape, another Italian gem that everyone should visit.

Its not so simple to find good wines from Lazio on the Wine List of restaurants abroad or on the wine rankings but everything is changing and also the winemakers from Lazio are showing their muscles and their capabilities.

I'm really glad about that cause the sun, the soil and the "Romans folklore" of this area are the perfect ingredients to make this place a perfect place to produce a great wine that's got a strong character.

Indeed... winelovers, prepare your taste buds cause I'm intruducing you to a wonderful wine that I love:

Baccarossa by Poggio Le Volpi

100% Nero Buono grape, one of the most ancient native grapes of our country, with an amazing ruby dark red colour, really enjoyable structure, silky tannins, elegant fruity, ripe blackberries, cherry and with a long long and plesaurable "tail".

Mine has been the typical experience, I was a little bit skeptical but since I first poured the nectar in my glass my dream has begun... and it was one of the most beautiful and sweet dreams of my life.

I hope that Poggio Le Volpi will continue to produce this master-piece-wine, it's a TALENT!

Tks a lot for your attention, "tin" the balloon and see you soon,

Angelo D'Alessandro

thedeliciousworld@gmail.com

Montevetrano 2004 by Silvia Imparato - Ladies & Gentlemen... the Prince!

Hi Wine Lovers,

today I'll bring you to an amazing wine-tasting-journey in the south of Italy; more specifically Campania region, near the city of Salerno, near the stunning Costiera Amalfitana, to discover one of the best red wines in our country, maybe not so celeb like other "king-wines" but, believe me, I'm talking about an experience that every "Wine Lover" should try.

So, I put my soft velvet white gloves on and I gently knock at the door of the "Azienda Agricola Montevetrano"...knock, knock... Is anyone home?

Guys, I'm really excited to introduce two really special people to you, two great masters, Ms. Silvia Imparato (the managerial brain) and Mr. Riccardo Coratella (the genius oenologist) and obviously their huge and talented crew.

Here, about 16 years ago a prince was born, with the protection of the Appenini moutains as a crown and the gentle caress of the Tirreno sea a throne, I'm really honoured to present you:

Montevetrano by Silvia Imparato

I'm virtually kissing Ms. Imparato's hand at this moment as a sign of maximum respect.

Thanks to a review of Mr. Leonardo LoCascio (President & CEO Winebow, Inc), I've recently tasted a 2004 vintage and I'll never forget this far-out experience.

Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot grapes with a "sprinkle" of my lovely Aglianico, a touch of the magic-wand of Mr. Riccardo Coratella and the game is done!

Pls, look at this gorgeous colour, an impenetrable ruby "blue" red that will touch your soul, Wow, I really loved it; you have to take a few minutes just to admire its colour, thinking about all the hard work, experience and research that lies behind a product like this.

At the nose is a really prodigious, powerful, balanced, extraordinarily floral scent, in the mouth it conveys all its greatness, really generous with remarkable fruity and spicy aromas, violet, mature cherry and berry jam with a long and pleasurable finish.

Angelo, is this a love declaration?

For sure, I fell in love with this wine and I hope to taste another bottle as soon as possible.

Is not so easy to find in the wineshops but don't forget that the "WorlWideWeb" could we open all of Heaven's doors. Suggested retail price 50/55 Euros, I'm talking about a Prince!

Tks a lot for your appreciated attention, drink responsibly and stick around lovers,

Angelo D'Alessandro

thedeliciousworld@gmail.com

Hierà by Azienda Agricola Hauner - when a volcano works well!

Dear Wine Lovers,

Really nice to find you here at WLC today. How have you been?

I'm fine myself but this unbalanced rainy weather makes me feel "humid" (I've got some musk on my shoes).

But seriously, I have to tell you about an amazing red wine from a gorgeous little island, so.... welcome to Salina, an island in the Aeolian Islands (known in Italian as Isole Eolie) north of Sicily, southern Italy.

Salina has a total surface area of 27 km². It is included on the "World Heritage List" especially because of its worth for vulcanology and it's composed of six volcanoes.

Further thoughts*: (* tks WonderPatty for the concession)

Only 27 km², six volcanoes (Gosh, SIX!!!), 400 different types of plants and a population of 2.300... is there a better place to cultivate a vineyard???

This was the ultimate goal of Mr. Carlo Hauner, a famous painter, a pioneer, a wine producer and above all a great great man.

Mr. Hauner founded his jewel, "Azienda Agricola Hauner", in Salina in 1963 and today the company is headed by his son Carlo Hauner Jr. along with the precious collaboration of Mr. Gianfranco Sabbatino.

Today I'm very happy to introduce to you a red wine that bewitched me at first glance (tks uncle Stefano for the much appreciated gift):

Hierà by Azienda Agricola Hauner

Three ancient and native grapes: Calabrese (also named "Nero D'Avola"), Alicante & Nocera. No tricks! Short barrique passage, 3 months of "sweet dreams" in the bottle and then it's ready for the market and for the lucky customers.

Oh guys, unbelievable young and fresh red wine, lots of spices and all the character of the volcanic island of Salina.A ruby red colour, hint of mature red fruits, cherry jam, a really smooth and pleasant long finish... perfect for your BBQ or for your summer dining. Suggested retail price 10/12 euros, U CAN'T GO WRONG!

Flavour of Sicily, smell of nature, extraordinary simplicity!

All my compliments to the Hauner family for their great job on this.

Stick around and see you soon,

Angelo D'Alessandro

thedeliciousworld@gmail.com

Il Bosco by Tenimenti Luigi D'Alessandro - unfortunately... he's not my uncle :)

Dear Wine Lovers,

today we have to go (hurried) to one of my favourite and already mentioned region: My Lovely Tuscany!!!

Guys, this is a "debunking blog" so I can't be impartial... I LOVE TUSCANY with all my hearth, this is the true.

We are going to make a little dream trip to "Cortona", one of the ancient and nobile city that I've never seen in my life.

Wow man, we are on Valdichiana hills, in the middle of nature, amazing colours, endless vineyards and scents of life (am I a poet or not?) Stop joking now dude!

I'm not tipsy, I swear, but the sun of today makes me particulary cheerful and glad.

Around Cortona there are so many Winehouse that I've been spoilted for choice but how couldn't I write about a property with my same surname?

I'm so so honoured to introduce you, a masterpiece wine - me and my friend Valeria adore this wine - (drum roll):

Il BOSCO by Tenimenti Luigi D'Alessandro

( F I R E W O R K S )

What such a wine mate!

100% Syrah grapes selected from Tenimenti Luigi D'Alessandro best areas in their high-density planted hillside vineyards, 20 days of alcoholic fermentation and then straight into new oak barriques (18-20 months) starting with a malolactic fermentation (I'm the president of "malolactic fermentation fans club").

The last I've been tasted was a 2004 and I really enjoyed it, lovable wine.

Dark inky red-purple colour, sweetness intensity and powerful, mature plums, blackberries, blueberries, sugar cherry and with some really balanced tannins.

The natural complexity of this wine will get you at the first sip, this is a really UNFORGETABLE red wine.

All my compliments to D'Alessandro Family from Cortona and I hope to have the possibility to go to visit them asap.

I'm dreaming for my next tasting of "Il Bosco"... in fact... let me booked a couple of bottles immediately :)

See you soon and tks a lot for your patience and affection,

hug&smile,

Angelo D'Alessandro

thedeliciousworld@gmail.com

Primitivo di Manduria by Soloperto - A cheap drink and an expensive hug to everybody...

Dear Wine Lovers,

I can't believe it, I've tasted a 2.99 euro redwine (40% off offer, real price 4.99)... and I liked it.

My mind is confused, my psychology unstable but my wallet, at this time, is really really happy.

Today I want to take you to Puglia, the heel of Italy, a really magnificent region, amazing food, incredible sea and some unforgettable towns and landscapes that you absolutely have to visit.

Here there is a really deep-rooted wine tradition and a great history of using the ancient and native grapes of that region like "Negramaro" or "Primitivo".

Abroad its not so simple to find a good wine from Puglia cause the "internalization curve" has had a strong inflection only in the past few years. But the winemakers are doing a really good job and the results will soon be perceptible on all the wine lists of the most noted restaurants all around the world.

I'm here to present to you the cheapest wine I've ever tasted:

Primitivo di Manduria By Soloperto

A 100% Primtivo grapes, "only" 14° alchool (some Primitivo can reach "18°"), deep purple red color and all the wild and savage character of a grape like "Primitivo".

You can't compare this wine with the other wines mentioned in my blog, of course, but I'd like to bring this product to your attention cause, for me, its one of the best quality-price ratio wines ever.

I think that this Primitivo di Manduria hasn't even a wood passage, only mature grapes, one year of steel fermentation and straight in the bottle.

This is a really simple and good wine for everyday, a fresh-wine in his natural complexity, a sage-grape that develops itself in this dark and inimitable flavor of Puglia.

My deepest respect and congratulations to the "Soloperto" Wine-house with the price offering on this product.

A cheap drink and an expensive hug to everybody,

Angelo D'Alessandro
thedeliciousworld@gmail.com