Hello and welcome to my weekly dig through the pile of wine samples that show up asking to be tasted. I’m pleased to bring you the latest installment of Vinography Unboxed, where I highlight some of the better bottles that have crossed my doorstep recently. This week included a few very nice white wines from here, there and everywhere. Closest …

Montefalco has spent the last decade enhancing its formidable reputation for excellence – it rests upon unique terroir, indigenous grape varieties, and sustainable winegrowing. The timing is most opportune, as today’s oenophiles increasingly demand authentic experiences and esoteric flavours, with a sense of time and place, which is exactly what this Umbrian odyssey delivers. There is far more to this …

This expressive red is dynamic, yet retains a sense of elegance and refinement, showing pomegranate and blueberry flavors underscored by river stone and dusky spice accents. Builds tension toward lively tannins. Drink now through 2032. 4,888 cases made. Source : b8008b16ea8924ad22af5b091f730cb4

This aromatic version showcases preserved lemon, melon and plump apricot notes, backed by hints of tangerine and lemon zest. Reveals a thread of minerality on the sleek, juicy finish. Drink now. 18,000 cases made, 15,000 cases imported. Source : ad95d05d2243a31ba24de46a24aeeb3c

After red wine fermentation completes, tanks are drained of their liquid, but what remains is a wet soppy mess of skins and seeds (and sometimes stems) that gets dumped into the press. But before it gets there, it has to be dug out of the tank. Which is where harvest interns come in. Francesca does the duty at Fitapreta Vinhos …

Shows tasty baked apple and ripe pear flavors that are fresh and juicy, with a spine of acidity. Viscous on the lemon-infused palate, with salty mineral underpinnings and a tangy finish. Drink now. 13,000 cases made, 3,500 cases imported. Source : 6ecf9eb810188337d914c67906773bfc

A wave of pure cherry, raspberry and floral flavors wash across the palate in this red, underlined by an edge of firm, integrated tannins. Offers fine balance and length. Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo and Colorino. Drink now through 2026. 10,000 cases made, 2,000 cases imported. Source : 5bc2417560179d385ee44e2b3553166d

Lipartiani is a new, quality-oriented boutique winery created within Georgia’s much larger Winery Khareba, which has vineyards located throughout the country. We recently visited the winery to learn more about this ambitious project and taste its wines. Winemaker Vladimer Kublashvili has created several blends of Georgian and international grape varieties selected from special vineyards in four of the country’s winegrowing …

Robert Mondavi was brilliant at creating prestigious joint ventures, such as Opus One in Napa, and Se?a with Eduardo Chadwick in Chile. But less well known was Luce in Tuscany. Srcoll down to see tasting notes and scores for a vertical of Luce from 2000-2020 In the 1970s, Mondavi had toured Italy with his son Tim with a view to …

2023 harvest: ‘The motivated endure’ The 2023 Ukrainian wine harvest reflects winemakers’ resolve. Amid the ongoing conflict, vintners display remarkable resilience; diligently tending vineyards, producing wines and exporting their products worldwide. Despite unique challenges, winemakers remain optimistic. Credit: Wines of Ukraine According to the Wines of Ukraine website: ‘Six wine regions have been officially approved in Ukraine. This is an …

Added foraged botanicals to the still to make Lantic Gin Terroir is often a term used in reference to wine. When a certain grape is grown close to the sea or in mineral-rich soils for example, imbibers are able to taste a hint of salinity or flint in the resulting wine. In the same way terroir can also be used …

Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) wine division, now part of First Citizens Bank, recently highlighted winery tasting room trends in its direct-to-consumer report. A ‘standard’ winery tasting in Napa County averaged $81, compared to $38 in Sonoma County and $32 in Oregon, it found, based on 332 winery responses.  It also said the average retail price at Napa County wineries rose …

A classic Grüner Veltliner for the notes of lentil, white peach, smoke and milled pepper. Lithe and creamy, this light-bodied version is backed by citrusy acidity. Drink now through 2026. 2,000 cases made, 600 cases imported. Source : f3c163ccdf0ae4c4778dbdf94e2b0632

Clean and minerally, with a fresh pineapple and citrus base, revealing nervy acidity for a Chardonnay, ending on a mouthwatering note. Drink now. 20,000 cases made, 17,000 cases imported. Source : c08c7b8fbcc43d0a57dc80fd5433bf0a

Viola Buitoni grew up in the Umbrian countryside with a family that grew its own ingredients and prepared its own food.  She now lives in San Francisco, not a bad food place itself, where she teaches and writes, including the inspiring cookbook, Italy by Ingredient.  Having visited Umbria last year and tasted its flavorful food and wine, its clear what …

The collection belongs to Taiwanese entrepreneur Pierre Chen. The auction house described it as ‘the largest, most important and by far the most valuable wine collection ever to come to the market’. It features a huge array of fine and rare wines, including two six-litre Methuselahs of Domaine de la Romaneé-Conti La Tâche 1985, which have an estimated price of …

In Northeastern Italy, lies the town of Verona, made famous by Shakepeare’s star-crossed lovers. Just north of the fair city, is one of Italy’s most loved wine regions, Valpolicella DOC. Amongst the gentle slopes of the verdant Valpolicella Classico region, the beautiful Villa Santa Sofia was built in 1560 – mere decades before Shakespeare wrote his bittersweet tale. Designed by …

n8fire has added a photo to the pool: Douro Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/louisjacob/53218659859/in/pool-17918700@N00

n8fire has added a photo to the pool: Douro Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/louisjacob/53217375917/in/pool-17918700@N00

n8fire has added a photo to the pool: Douro Source : https://www.flickr.com/photos/louisjacob/53218749670/in/pool-17918700@N00