Slavonian Oak

This summer I've been between Italy and Croatia, a highlight of which has been enjoying Amarone with friends in Croatia. Verona's famous red is likely to enhance any dinner, but I particularly enjoyed consuming a bottle here, because the oak used in Amarone grows in Croatia. It's easily overlooked that the most prestigious wines from the …

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Conegliano – Valdobbiadene and The DOC(G), Part II

Conegliano and Valdobbiadene contribute significantly to the Veneto's status as Italy's largest producer of wines and DOCs, in no small way because, modern Prosecco, originates from this area. In a previous post I discussed DOC(G) Prosecco. Since then I've been reading up on Conegliano and Valdobbiadene as I gear up for a cycling trip between …

Metodo Ancestrale

When I first read metodo ancestrale (ancestral method) on a bottle of Prosecco I thought I'd struck idyll gold. Metodo ancestrale is an old fermentation method that predates the industrial ones that democratized Prosecco and refined ones that elevated champagne into a world-renowned superstar. Its simple roots began in Limoux, France in the 16th century. In the world …

Terrazzo in Creta, Croazia and Chioggia

These days I've been talking to people about my project to write about Prosecco and wines of the Veneto, alongside cultural history and wines of the former Venetian empire. It has been interesting to discuss how far 'the Prosecco trail' may reach. The Dalmatian Coast, and its wonderful wines, is a likely place for the …

Raddicchio

The real meaning of enlightenment can be found in the radicchio. That is my philosophy and the philosophy of the Veneto. Like wines that are classified by geographical provenance, Radicchio di Treviso has its own IGP (Protected Geographical Indication) in Italy. And a bit in the way that Prosecco is a modern invention fostered by …