DiWineTaste Podcast - English

Methius is one of the most important representative wines for the history of classic method production in Trentino and Trento DOC appellation. Created in 1986 by Carlo Dorigati and Enrico Paternoster, today it is the fifth generation of Dorigati family - represented by Paolo and Michele - to continue the prestige of this important Italian wine.

Power and character, as well as elegance and versatility, Aglianico is capable of expressing its magnificence from sparkling to sweet wines, as well as whites, rosé and, of course, great reds. A grape or remarkable personality, Aglianico is the absolute protagonist in Campania and Basilicata.

To the most celebrated wines of Tre Monti wine of Imola, successfully run by Sergio Navacchia and his sons Davide and Vittorio, goes the title of best wine of January 2014. It is Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore Riserva Thea 2010, a magnificent example of how the famous red berried grape can reach excellent results in the territory of Romagna.

The olfactory analysis of a wine is the most complex part of the whole process of tasting but it certainly is the one richest in satisfaction. It takes experience, memory and the right approach to the initial phases of the evaluation. In this episode Antonello Biancalana explains what you should do when you smell for the first time a glass of wine.

This month we had three wines awarded with five diamonds: Pelago 2009 and Maximo 2010 of Umani Ronchi and I Sodi di San Niccolò 2008 of Castellare di Castellina. The title of the best wine of December 2013 goes to Maximo 2010, a mastepiece created by the talent of Giacomo Tachis and of which the first vintage was 1992, produced with Sauvignon Blanc grapes affected by Botrytis Cinerea.

Ancient variety having a strong bond with the territories of the province of Verona and Vicenza, Garganega is capable of making wines of magnificent elegance, both in dry and in sweet styles made from dried grapes. With time, and the proper viticultural and wine making conditions, Garganega has proved to have very good possibilities of aging in bottle, giving wines of interesting complexity.

The Moris family, of Spanish origins, is committed for more than 200 years to the production of wine in Massa Marittima, in Tuscan Maremma, and it is among the wineries which determined the success of Morellino di Scansano. Also famous Avvoltore that, in vintage 2010, conquers DiWineTaste five diamonds and the title of best wine of November 2013.

The olfactory evaluation of wine certainly is the most important aspect of tasting. This important examination is made of three distinct phases, each of them allowing the determination of faults, opening and the aromatic profile of a wine.

Out tasting committee awards Gran Masetto 2009 of Endrizzi winery, the title of the best wine of October 2013. A great wine made from Teroldego grape, the great autochthonous grape from Trentino that, in this wine, expresses power, elegance and class.

A variety having uncertain origins, however believed to be originated from Sicily, Nero d'Avola is the protagonist of most of the red wine of this island. A versatile grape, capable of making immediate and direct wines, as well as giving examples of structure and complexity, when vinified in cask and cultivated with quality criteria.

Altemasi is Cavit's Trento DOC range and made of five wines. Our tasting committee has evaluated the whole range and, among them, has awarded Trento Riserva Brut Altemasi Graal 2005 with five diamonds, an excellent classic method having a remarkable elegance and class.

The olfactory evaluation of a wine is the most difficult phase of tasting, but it is also the most amazing and interest as well, capable of determining, in good part, the quality of a wine. From the evaluation of faults to positive aromas, the nose can tell a many things about a wine's character.

Our tasting committee continued its job also during summertime and evaluated - among the many - the Barolo wines made by Ettore Germano and Giovanni Manzone wineries. Hard choice to make, by considering the quality of both wineries, at the end we have chose Barolo Riserva Le Gramolere 2005 of Manzone, which we awarded with the title of best wine for Summer 2013.

Pinot Noir is a very versatile variety, capable of making among the most elegant red wines of the world and among the most prestigious sparkling wines, such as Champagne. Very hard variety to cultivate and to vinify, Pinot Noir divides wine lovers in two sides: those who love it and those who are indifferent to it.

Fortified wines probably are the less common style of the entire wine making scene. This particular wine style offers to the senses of any taster one of the most amazing sensorial experience, including appearance. A masterpiece result of time and oxidation which, in this case, gets a noble character.

Godiolo winery of Montepulciano and run since generations by Fiorini family, uses the traditional grapes of this historical and prestigious wine area of Tuscany: Prugnolo Gentile, Canaiolo Nero, Colorino and Mammolo. From these grapes born, ex-aequo, the two best wines of June 2013: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2006 and 2001 vintages.

Sweet wines from dried grapes, commonly called "vini passiti" in Italy, are produced both with white and red berried grapes, characterized by intense and deep colors as well as very low transparencies, moreover a quite evident density observed in the sides of the glass.

Giacomo Fenocchio winery is located in Monforte d'Alba and has been established in 1864. Still today they make Barolo by following the tradition of this land in three prestigious crus of this noble territory: Cannubi in Barolo, Villero in Castiglione Falletto and Bussia in Monforte d'Alba. Barolo Bussia 2008 is awarded with DiWineTaste five diamond and it is also the best wine for this month.

Among the most interesting white berried grapes of the Italian wine scene, Fiano was considered a member of the historical family of "apiane" grapes, however it is also supposed the name comes from "Apia", the ancient name of Peloponnese from which, maybe, the grape was introduced to Campania.

In the evaluation of sparkling wines' appearance, effervescence and bubbles generally play a fundamental role. The aspect of sparkling wine is not, of course, bubbles only, it is however this characteristic to determine the quality of production method.

The Arrigoni family makes wine in Liguria and in Tuscany. Their Cinqueterre Tramonti 2011 conquers the title of the best wine of April 2013, a wine rich in personality and character, with a charming smell of sea breeze.

The color of red wine gives the taster many information about grape cultivation, variety, territory, soil and wine making technique. Most of the times a low transparency is considered as a quality factor, but not all the red berried grapes are capable of making wines with a dark and impenetrable aspect.

Mother of the greatest red wines from Piedmont and Lombardy, Nebbiolo is also found in Vallée d'Aoste and Sardinia. Indisputable king of the vineyards in Piedmontese Langhe, Nebbiolo has a powerful character to which is added a noble elegance.

The vineyard and winery of Mossio Brothers is located in Rodello, in a hill dominating the city of Alba. Here we find, at the top of the estate, Bricco Caramelli where are being cultivated Dolcetto grapes giving this wonderful wine character, power and elegance.

Rose wines probably are the least understood and most underrated style of the wine scene. Indeed, they are produced with a specific technique having a proper dignity and wine making value, an unique character which is well evident in their color.