Same Exact DNA, Totally Different Styles!

The Heel Of The Boot I have done quite a few stories about the difference between California Zinfandel and Primitivo Di Manduria. As you can see by the map above, Puglia and the town of Manduria are located on the Heel of The Boot of Italy, directly on the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. It’s been […]

Under $20 Wines Are The “Sweet Spot”

This entire blog is dedicated to less snobbery and bragging rights when it comes to Wines. I think for the everyday average consumer or even a Somm like me, there is a plethora of Wines in that “Sweet Spot” of $10-$20 that wouldn’t be “Good For The Price” but rather “Great For The Price” I […]

Italy Came To Australia.

Ciao Mates. Every month or so I have to do a review on one of our Direct To You Wines at ABC Fine Wine And Spirits in Florida, from Australia. The section in most retailers, not just ABC, looks more and more pitiful every time I look at it as most consumers sadly are only […]

2 Italian Winemakers Come To Visit Me

This is just one of the reasons I love Italy and Italian Wines so much. Once you visit them, they welcome you with open arms, become your friends and family for life. This week Alberto Passeri from La Gerla famous for their Brunello Di Montalcino and Michele Di Gregorio from Tenuta Cavalier Pepe from Campania […]

Reunited And It Feels So Good!

My BFF is Back.. What A Reunion! Most of you who have been following my career know that I was originally with ABC Fine Wine & Spirits but left to take on the world of being a 4 location Corporate Sommelier. During my time at ABC I was fortunate to meet many new people and […]

This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Valpolicella!

Meet The Nicolis Family The history of this family has always been intimately bound to the art of wine growing. Here in San Pietro in Cariano, they are in the heart of the VALPOLICELLA (Valley Of The Many Cellars) Classico zone, and caring for their own land here has always been an important part of […]

Don’t Panic, This Wine’s Organic!!

It has been a few years since I spoke about the Tessari Family from the Veneto in Italy, Sisto, Elena and Pietro from La Cappuccina which dates back to 1890. The beauty and the history of this winery and the family (Which I feel a part of ) and their philosophy of viticulture and wine […]

Piero Lanza, Sangiovese Superstar

My First Winery Visit To Italy 2009 My first time ever in Italy and my very first winery couldn’t have been a better experience. Above is Brother and Sister Piero and Benedetta Lanza of Fattoria Poggerino in the town of Radda in Chianti. It’s a bed and breakfast too so you can go visit and […]

Rosés: Can Too Much Of A Good Thing Be A Bad Thing?

The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills Sadly, for 25 years no one listened to us Sommeliers or Retailers about Rose Wine being DRY not Sweet like Blush. On Social Media the hashtag #Roseallday and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills have turned most Wine Lists and Offerings at a Wine Retailer into a SEA Full […]

So Is This A Cabernet Or Is This A Merlot??? WHO CARES???????

Words echoed at Wine Retail Shops and Restaurants across the globe by consumers are ” I LIKE MERLOT BUT MY HUSBAND LIKES CABERNET”, “I’M LOOKING FOR A FULL BODIED CAB OR MAYBE A CABERNET/MERLOT BLEND. I LOVE THE BLENDS”! Server: “Do you like Italian Wines Or Spanish Wines”? Consumer : “OH I LOVE THEM ALL. […]