As I prepared for the 12th annual tasting for my Krokidas & Bluestein colleagues (photo above is from last year’s tasting), I reflected on how the tasting has evolved. At the first tasting I was asked whether I had visited any of the wineries; the answer was no. But the question prompted
Roseann, Karen and I spent two weeks in Southern Italy this past fall. Roseann’s sister Cathy and her husband Mel joined us part way through the trip. The first two days we stayed at Lo Scrigno B&B, a short walk to the center of Montemiletto, Avellino. The B&B, which is centrally located in
Happy Thanksgiving! Here is our wine list; we are having 25 people for dinner. From left to right: Ciro Picariello, Fiano di Avellino 2014 Casebianche, La Matta 2013 Casa di Baal, Aglianico di Baal 2011 Salvatore Magnoni, Primalaterra 2013 Reale, Cardamone 2013 Le Vigne di Raito , Ragis 2011 Terre
There is a popular saying “Life is too short to drink bad wine”; you find it on serving trays, towels, napkins, etc. I agree with the saying and suggest that there should be a parallel saying “Life is too short to consume bad olive oil”. There have been many documented
The South is an emerging wine region, but this was not the case thirty years ago. Prior to the unification of Italy in 1861 and for many years thereafter there was a lack of economic opportunity in Southern Italy. As a result of many centuries of foreign domination followed by the more prosperous North’s
After many years I have finally found what I have been looking for; a dining experience that replicates my Southern Italy dining experiences. Enoteca Umberto, 256 Atwell Ave. Providence (Federal Hill) is an unpretentious small restaurant (18 inside seats; several more outside) that captures the essence of Southern Italy cuisine.
On day two of our trip we enjoyed a day long celebration with friends from the Irpinia wine region. Our first stop was at Bambinuto; our fourth visit in as many years. We updated each other on our families, the latest vintages and whatever else came to mind. Marilena is an innovator. She
On the first day of our Southern Italy trip Gaetano Petrillo introduced us to a new winery located in his home town of Montemiletto; Cantine De Santis. Alberto DeSantis has been bottling his wine for only five years. The vineyard has been in the family for two generations. Alberto’s family,
Sustainable In my bio there is mention of my support of wineries that follow sustainable practices. What does this mean? A couple years ago a leading Italian wine guide, Gambero Rosso, promoted the Forum for Environmental Sustainability. Below is an excerpt from an article entitled “Ethics + Economy +
It has been two weeks since we hosted our last grand wine tasting. This report is overdue, but I have been busy planting our garden, coaching baseball (yes I still coach and my sons “retired” over five years ago, I am a baseball lifer and still can hit a mean fly ball