Italian Wine, Shops + Shows, Tastings

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Master Class*

*Not to be confused with Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. First, let's clarify the geography and nomenclature. From Wikipedia: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is an Italian red wine made from the Montepulciano wine grape in the Abruzzo region of east-central Italy. It should not be confused with Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, a Tuscan wine made from Sangiovese and other grapes.[1]… Continue reading Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Master Class*

Big Splurges $75+, Red; Mostly Napa Cabs, Tastings

“Noble” Brunello di Montalcino Tasting

Brunello di Montalcino is widely regarded as one of the three “noble wines” of Italy, the others being Barolo and Amarone [Super Tuscan lovers, hold your boos.] Produced exclusively around the village of Montalcino using a particular variety of the Sangiovese grape, the ‘Sangiovese Grosso’, a Brunello di Montalcino must be made with 100% Sangiovese,… Continue reading “Noble” Brunello di Montalcino Tasting

Buys $25 and under, Red; Mostly Napa Cabs, Tastings

We Went “Searching For Italy” where Stanley Tucci Failed to Go!

 We devoured CNN’s “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” series featuring the actor’s trek through the farms, fields, and restaurants of Italy. The show made us want to pack our bags and follow in his footsteps. But our trek would venture where Tucci failed to go: the vineyards and wineries in each region. Wine is as… Continue reading We Went “Searching For Italy” where Stanley Tucci Failed to Go!

Buys under $75, Red; Mostly Napa Cabs, Tastings

Going Vertical With Edict Reserve Cab

2014, 2018 Vintages Tops in Vertical Tasting We’ve been buying Edict Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet for years, since the 2010 release. Dependably delicious and well-priced [$40ish] when compared with Napa Cabs that sell for twice the price, we amassed quite a collection of Edict vintages over time. When Napa Cab-loving friends came to visit, we… Continue reading Going Vertical With Edict Reserve Cab

Big Splurges $75+, Buys under $75, Red; Mostly Napa Cabs

Top Red Wines of 2020

Yes, 2020 sucked. And yes, we can't wait to say good riddance. But before we toss 2020 in the dumpster, pour a gallon of hand sanitizer on it and set it on fire, let's at least reflect on the good things about the year. Like, the best red wines we tasted, from Napa to Washington,… Continue reading Top Red Wines of 2020

Red; Mostly Napa Cabs, Tastings

Volpaia’s 2015 Chianti Classico Lives Up to Star Ratings

Tomorrow night we may be popping Champagne corks or drowning ourselves in Tequila, depending on the success of the Biden/Harris ticket. But last night, it was Chianti all around, paired with Rao pasta and Gary's homemade Bolognese sauce. He's been tinkering with this classic meat sauce ever since we returned from Puglia, where a Tuna… Continue reading Volpaia’s 2015 Chianti Classico Lives Up to Star Ratings

Puglia, Red; Mostly Napa Cabs

Aglianico You Need to Know

Aglianico. Huh? Yeah it's a grape from Southern Italy used  in making serious red wines. Serious, like Napa Cabenet serious? Yep. If you don't believe me, read on. Per Wikipedia, "Aglianico is a black grape grown in the southern regions of Italy. It is considered with Sangiovese and Nebbiolo to be one of the three… Continue reading Aglianico You Need to Know

Red; Mostly Napa Cabs, Rosé Rosato etc., Tastings

VinoDuo’s Favorite Wines of 2019

In our line of work/play, you taste a lot of wine. Some you sip and instantly spit. Some you sip, swirl, and then spit. Then there are those you savor, drink fully, and remember. These are the wines we've compiled into our favorite wines of the year list. Most are reasonably priced. Some are cheap.… Continue reading VinoDuo’s Favorite Wines of 2019

Big Splurges $75+, Tastings

$5,000 Chardonnay? Skinner Wine Auction Preview and How the Other Half Lives

Vino Duo recently attended a Skinner pre-auction tasting of some of the wine industry’s most storied quaffs. These are big-money wines that are treasured by collectors, including Montrachet’s rare Grand Cru, a Rothschild 1982 Bordeaux, vintage Barolos, and few Chateau Neufs thrown in for good measure. Pricing was irrelevant as we had no intent of… Continue reading $5,000 Chardonnay? Skinner Wine Auction Preview and How the Other Half Lives

Red; Mostly Napa Cabs, Tastings

Recovered From the Archives: Blind Tasting 2015

2015: Crossed-Up Blind Tasting — Napa Cabernets I'm an old Jethro Tull fan. One of my favorites from Aqualung is “Cross-Eyed Mary” whose opening line is “Who would be a poor man, a beggar man, a thief --if he had a rich man in his hand? And who would steal the candy from a laughing… Continue reading Recovered From the Archives: Blind Tasting 2015