Latest news with #Aglianico
Forbes
5 days ago
- General
- Forbes
Five Tasty Italian Alternative Wines To Cabernet Sauvignon
A panoramic view of Vulture, the existent volcan from which the Aglianico appellation takes its name ... More in Basilicata What wine lover on the face of the Earth doesn't love Cabernet Sauvignon wine? Pure or blended with Merlot and Cabernet Franc (or some other French grape) according to the Burgundy style, this wine has been around for centuries. In our hectic modern world, though, wine consumption trends can appear and disappear at the speed of light. Thus, one could expect that even an evergreen such as the Cabernet Sauvignon begins to show its age. No fear. If you don't want to appear a bit out of fashion bringing a traditional bottle of this wine to some party or as a gift, here there are a few Italian alternatives that won't make you and your friends disappointed. A Gentle And Powerful Wine From Basilicata The first wine you can uncork instead of a Cabernet is Aglianico. This is a dark-skinned, late-ripening grape variety known for producing full-bodied, tannic wines with remarkable aging potential. When it's cultivated on the volcanic slopes of Monte Vulture, in the southern region of Basilicata, it shows off a volcanic character with a wide range of red and violet fruits along with earthy, spicy and smoky notes. 2021 Cantine del Notaio 'Il Sigillo' Aglianico del Vulture DOC is a meaningful champion of this kind of wine. In the glass it appears with a dark, almost dense ruby red color, while at the nose they occur, almost in sequence, ripe cherry, blackberry, black pepper, chocolate, dried violet, carob, tobacco, cinnamon, leather, licorice, with a balsamic touch of menthol. The sip is sapid, fresh, round, and full, but with a great acidity that makes it the perfect companion of robust dishes of red meat or aged cheese. Vineyard landscape near Montefalco, Umbria, Italy. The King of Umbria Red Wines Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG is another wine for people who love elegant tannins and a richly fruity taste. The grape is the indigenous Sagrantino, the most tannic variety you can find in Italy, and owes its name to the small and beautiful village of Montefalco, in Umbria. The greenest region in central Italy. Like the Aglianico del Vulture, Sagrantino is also suitable for long aging. The 2016 Romanelli 'Terra Cupa Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG' displays a dark ruby red in the glass, and a generous bunch of blackberry, cherry, plum flanked by balsamic notes and slightly spicy hints. In the mouth it is juicy and vibrant, with lively tannins and elegant but persistent finish. The Wine Coming From The Past The South of Italy is also the source of the third wine you could sip in place of a Cabernet Sauvignon. Susumaniello is a local grape of Apulia that people have always been cultivating, especially in the Brindisi surroundings. However, it has only recently been rediscovered by the consumer and wine critics, in part because of its success as a rosé wine. Susumaniello can be blended with other autochthonous varieties such as Nero di Troia or Negroamaro (or both), but the following is in purity. 2021 Tenute Rubino 'Oltremè Susumaniello Brindisi DOC' has a dense red color, with fruity notes of ripe plum, and cinnamon, followed by hints of cedar, black currant leaf, hazelnut and a smoky touch in the final. In the mouth, it is round and savory, clean and long. Interestingly, the producer suggests pairing this wine with some original combination, such as the sound of 'Up Where We Belong' by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes or Ang Lee's intimate film 'Eat Drink Man Woman.' Vineyards. Mezzolombardo. Piana Rotaliana. Trentino Alto Adige. Italy. (Photo by: Marco ... More Simonini/REDA/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Taste of Earthiness From Trentino With the next wine, we move to North Italy. Teroldego is a historic, renowned grape cultivated almost exclusively in Trentino. Its cradle is very likely to be the Rotaliana plain between Trento and Mezzolombardo, and from this place come some of the most appreciated bottles of Teroldego in the world. With firm tannins and vibrant acidity, it's a wine wine bold and structured, and typically shows dark fruits such as plum and blackberry, with bit of earthiness. Sometimes it even has a slightly wild, herbal character, not unlike a cooler-climate Cabernet Sauvignon. 2020 Endrizzi 'Gran Masetto Teroldego Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT' is an award-winning wine powerful and gentle at the same time, with a bright dark red color. The nose explodes in fruity aromas of ripe wild blackberries and currants with ethereal nuances and vegetal odors, mellowed by toasted, mineral, and spice notes. The taste is consistent, with a velvety texture on the palate: great balance between acidity and alcohol, full and pleasant to the finish. A wine that doesn't need food to be fully enjoyed but that can enhance grilled or roasted red meat as well as seasoned cheese. A Wine That Flies Under The Radar The renowned "skewed" bottle of Travaglini Gattinara In the northwest of Italy, Piedmont region is the homeland of some of the most renowned red wines all over the world. Gattinara is a red wine made from Nebbiolo grapes, specifically produced on the hills close to the town of Gattinara, a small town in the area of Upper Piedmont. It can be made with 100% of Nebbiolo, or Spanna, as someone calls the variety in this part of the region. Sometimes the wine can be a blend of Nebbiolo, with small percentages of Bonarda di Gattinara or Vespolina also included. According to its admires, Gattinara is a top-tier Nebbiolo wine that often flies under the radar. It offers the complexity and power of a Cabernet Sauvignon, but with the finesse and the aromatic touch that only Nebbiolo can have. Bottled in its characteristic unmistakable 'skewed' bottle, the 2018 Travaglini 'Gattinara DOCG' is an almost educational sample of this wine. The color is an almost transparent antique and shiny garnet; the nose delivers delicate floral scents of violet and rose petal that take on spicy and balsamic mottling with age. In the mouth, it is elegant, fresh, and well balanced, with an enjoyable finish of small red fruits and fruit jellies. Why You Should Pick Wines Like Them Despite their original characteristics, all these wines share with Cabernet Sauvignon some key attributes, such as structure, tannic texture, complex aromatics, and age-worthiness. Each of them, though, also brings a distinctive Italian feature—whether it's the warmth of South Italy, the mountain strength of Trentino, the nobility of the Piedmontese tradition, or the pride of Umbrian wines. So, if you're looking for Italian alternatives to Cabernet Sauvignon that hold their own, these five are solid contenders. Your guests and maybe you will be nicely surprised .
National Geographic
19-07-2025
- National Geographic
This hidden Italian town is perfect for a summer escape
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). Imagine if the Amalfi Coast was all but unknown — that's the charm of Maratea. Bordered by Campania to the north and Calabria to the south, the municipality occupies the only portion of the Tyrrhenian coast in the whole of Basilicata. It's a near 20-mile stretch home to striking black-sand beaches, boat-fresh seafood and panoramic vistas overlooking the glittering Gulf of Policastro. But despite possessing all the hallmarks of the quintessential Italian seaside getaway, the Maratea area is yet to draw the crowds associated with its better-known coastal counterparts. It's also more accessible than ever thanks to recently launched British Airways flights from London to Salerno — located just an hour and 45 minutes by car or an hour and 15 minutes by train. Take time to explore Maratea's Centro Storico, or historic centre, and enjoy a coffee at one of the many outdoor cafes. Maratea is not one single town, but a collection of mountain and seaside hamlets dotted around an old urban core. This Centro Storico, or historic centre, is a maze of cobblestone streets, colourful medieval homes and narrow alleyways twisting toward the main square, Piazza Buraglia. Take some time to enjoy a coffee or aperitif at one of Caffe E Dolcezze Di Laprea's outdoor tables. And be sure to visit Pasticceria Panza, a bakery known for its traditional bocconotto (shortcrust pastry filled with cream and black cherry or chocolate). Shop for Lucanian (the term used to describe people or things from Basilicata) specialities at Divino Maratea, including wines making use of Basilicata's famous Aglianico grapes, as well as local spirits, including Amaro Naturale, which is made from the aromatic herbs that grow throughout Maratea. From the old town, take the winding, white-knuckle drive to the top of Monte San Biagio, where the marble-faced Cristo Redentore, an imposing Christ the Redeemer statue, stands with its arms stretched out towards the green Lucanian Apennines. Make a loop around the platform at the foot of the 69ft sculpture for incredible views of the rocky coastline and bright-blue sea below. The imposing Christ the Redeemer statue is one of the area's most recognisable attractions. Nearby, you'll find the Chiesa di San Biagio — one of 44 churches in the Maratea area, which is home to just over 5,000 people. The simple white basilica has housed the relics of San Biagio, the patron saint of Maratea, since the year 732 BCE. Up here, visitors can also wander around the crumbling ruins of the area's original settlement, known as Maratea Superiore, which also dates back to the seventh century. It was slowly abandoned during the 16th and 17th centuries as inhabitants moved further down the mountainside to establish the old town — also reachable via the myrtle-lined footpath just off the main road. A short distance away, the Port of Maratea was once a landing place for local fishermen. It now hosts luxury yachts and sailboats — and provides the departure point for boat tours. Dea Maris Boat Tour Maratea takes visitors along Maratea's dramatic coastline, which was featured in the 2021 James Bond film No Time to Die. Keep an eye out for the Saracen Towers, cliffside forts built in the Middle Ages to defend the region from pirate attacks. You'll also get a good view of the two islands that hover off the coast of Maratea: Santo Janni and the even smaller La Matrella. In the waters surrounding the former, hundreds of Roman anchors and amphorae have been found on the seabed. To learn more about the area's ancient artefacts, head to Palazzo de Lieto museum, where exhibits occupy an imposing 18th-century palace originally built to house the old town's first hospital. From the water, you may also spy Maratea's famous black-sand beach, Cala Jannita, located just a 10-minute drive from the centre. To explore the fascinating caves around Cala Jannita — such as the Grotta della Sciabella — consider a kayaking tour with Fly Maratea. The port is also home to some of Maratea's best restaurants, including Lanterna Rossa. Situated in an old fisherman's house overlooking the marina, this elegant fine-dining spot sees young Lucani chef Dario Amaro serve classic dishes, such as sea urchin linguine and cuttlefish risotto, with modern flair. Toward the hamlet of Fiumicello, meanwhile, you'll find the cosy, family-run La Cambusa, which has been serving fresh local seafood since the 1950s. Hotel Santavenere's comfortable rooms and fragranced gardens offer a peaceful escape in the mountains. Nearby is Maratea's only five-star accommodation, Hotel Santavenere. Home to sprawling gardens and a secluded beach, the property was once a family villa owned by Count Stefano Rivetti — a wool industrialist from Piedmont who made a new life in Maratea, opening the hotel to the public in 1953. Every Tuesday between May and October, one of its three restaurants, Le Lanterne, hosts a buffet-style meal featuring ingredients and wines from Basilicata, performances from local singers and demonstrations from libbani artists, who weave baskets and other objects from grass blades. Visitors can try this historic local craft for themselves at a workshop with New Mediterranean Libbaneria. It would be easy to whittle away time in Maratea on a sun lounger, but the region's upped its adventure cred in recent years — particularly with the opening of a via ferrata climbing route in 2021, which stretches from the historic centre to the top of Monte San Biagio. Ivy Tour Basilicata offers guided tours and equipment rental. Alternatively, set off on a day-hike to Monte Crivo. Starting just outside the village of Brefaro (about five miles from Maratea's old town), the trail takes travellers to an altitude of 3,783ft — offering sweeping views of Basilicata's mountainous countryside and the glimmering Tyrrhenian Sea. British Airways offers direct flights from London to Salerno. From here, Maratea is easily reachable by car or train. The 34-room Hotel Santavenere, with its colourful Vietri tiles, antique furniture and sweeping sea views, is a convenient base for exploring the area. From €440 (£347), B&B. This story was created with the support of Hotel Santavenere. To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
San Francisco Chronicle
21-04-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
A new style of wine tasting room is popping up all over the Bay Area
Passaggio Wines is suddenly the busiest bar in town — except it's technically not a bar. Located at the Jack London Village, the historic saw mill-turned-shopping center in the sleepy Sonoma County city of Glen Ellen, Passaggio is a wine tasting collective that's posing as the hot new local watering hole. For years, the village's old-timey and Golden Gate Bridge-hued compound has failed to lure in many tourists on their way to the nearby state park or one of the area's many wine estates. But now, Passaggio's packed and lively creekside patio is compelling weekend drivers to pull over. Once inside, they can choose from dozens of wines from seven, sustainability-minded Sonoma producers they've likely never heard of. Rebranded to 'Passaggio and Company' earlier this year, the space is just one in an exciting new wave of collective wine tasting rooms, or winery co-ops, spurred by the industry's downturn. Wineries are desperate to market their wines yet minimize costs. And while the concept — a group of small wineries, typically ones that can't afford to open their own tasting room, join forces in one setting — has been around for the better part of a decade, this resurgence looks different. The newest collectives are less traditional and tourist-centric than in the past. While they are licensed as tasting rooms, they function more like an informal wine bar. Standard wine tastings have been 'going by the wayside,' said Passaggio founder Cindy Cosco, who works with several grape varieties, like Tannat, Aglianico and Alicante Bouschet, that are hard to find in California. She moved Passaggio into the village two years ago, and recently invited some like-minded wineries to join her. 'Locals just want to come hang out and have a good time gathering with friends,' she continued. 'I'm very excited about what we're creating here. It's bringing a lot of people into this complex.' At Passaggio, where a sign out front reads 'wine bar,' you order by the glass (from $10) or bottle, not flight. No one will come to your table and interrupt your conversation to talk about soil types, brix levels or malolactic fermentation. You won't be told what you should be smelling or tasting. Instead, you can relax on the patio and listen to the babble of the creek — or live music if it's a Saturday. Kids and dogs are welcome. Bring your own food, or order from Yeti, the charming Indian-Napalese restaurant that opened in the village in 2008. Some days, the winemakers mingle and share their stories. One of those winemakers is Joel Peterson, who founded California Zinfandel pioneer Ravenswood in 1976. Peterson sold the winery in 2001 and launched Once and Future, a return to his original Ravenswood vision of small lot, single-vineyard Zinfandel crafted with old world techniques, in 2014. (He also recently helped Gallo relaunch the Ravenswood brand after a five-year hiatus.) 'These long, sit-down tastings that last two to three hours have always mystified me,' Peterson said. 'It's antithetical to sharing wine.' Passaggio's model, however, reminds him of the early days of the California wine boom. 'Sonoma was a very different place when I entered the business. We were the 30 musketeers — all for one and one for all. We shared equipment, we'd share ideas and there was more closeness among the wineries,' he said. 'The wine business has gotten quite corporate and it's a very different feel than one guy at a winery with a determination to do something special. This begins to set the tone for that again.' Ten minutes away and one block off the Sonoma Plaza, another tasting collective has 'bar' in its name and looks exactly like one. Dos' Bar, which opened in 2024, is comprised of six natural wine and cider brands (with three more joining soon). The group includes hybrid grape variety specialist North American Press and Caleb Leisure Wines, whose namesake founder was inspired by the Republic of Georgia and ferments his wines in clay vessels known as qvevri. Dos' Bar's design was inspired by Gold Country saloons, like Stormy's in Petaluma or Sonoma's Swiss Hotel. 'That's the era where the spirit was most intense. Everybody was feeling inspired and making things,' said Dos' co-founder and cidermaker Aaron Brown. 'The tasting room (typically has) sectional couches, LED lighting and a hushed atmosphere where someone is hovering over you. We wanted a place that feels like a pub in Europe or a coffee shop.' The goal with Dos' was to ramp up the presence of Sonoma's natural wine scene beyond Scribe Winery, now open to members only, and Valley Bar + Bottle, where you 'can't just hang out indefinitely,' said Brown, because it's a restaurant. 'We were sort of walking around invisibly in a place where our wines are from, but economically, none of us could do this on our own,' he continued. 'We wanted to do something that we could manage ourselves.' But Dos' evolved to solve another problem. 'There's nowhere to hang out. Sonoma lacked a place for people to be,' Brown continued. 'Really, Dos' is beyond wine. When we have events, it's maxed out. It's really fun to see the different walks of Sonoma intersecting.' Dos' past winemaker events have included local artists, a tarot card reader, musicians and food popups, like Lo-Fi Oyster Co. and mortadella sandwich purveyor Eugene's. The tasting room has hosted industry nights, Español Night (where patrons were encouraged to speak Spanish in homage to Sonoma's rich Mexican heritage), pumpkin carving and equinox celebrations. Yet while these collectives are intentionally bucking tradition, private tastings with the winemakers can be booked in advance. Since joining Passaggio, which also offers a mixed wine flight ($25), Topophilia Wine Co. founder Jess Wade said that with one exception, he's had 'at least one person in each group' join his wine club after a tasting. 'I think people appreciate a more relaxed, casual environment,' he said. 'There's not this stuffiness about things. Wine doesn't have to be that.' The River Club Napa, which opened last summer, feels the most traditional of the newcomers in setup, as seated tastings are offered by appointment. Yet the industrial, riverfront space — which houses just two wine brands, Paper Planes and Belong Wine Co. — is an antidote to the stereotypical Napa Valley tasting room: It's affordable, it doesn't pour Cabernet Sauvignon and it welcomes children, even providing a play area. Like its cohorts, the River Club gets creative with events; most recently, it launched 'Office Hours' on Thursdays, which turns the tasting room into a makeshift coworking space with wines by the glass. This summer, another co-op tasting room will open in Lafayette, down the block from the new Horn Barbecue. Named Local Vines, it will focus on wines made from the small and little-known Lamorinda wine region, which stretches from the backside of the Berkeley Hills to the Walnut Creek border. Local Vines will share the space with an incubator kitchen, geared at helping 'young chefs trying to get their businesses off the ground,' said Local Vines general manager Piettro Buittitta, who also owns Prima Materia Vineyard & Winery. Buttitta closed his Oakland tasting room earlier this year, where he regularly hosted dinner parties, and can envision bringing those to Local Vines. He's belonged to a few collectives throughout his career and recalled that in the early days of the trend, things were 'very basic, just the nuts and bolts of 'Here are five wines.'' 'I think there was a different mindset then,' he continued. 'Maybe you didn't realize 15 years ago that you could have a Vietnamese street food event going on at the same time (as wine tasting), but there's a very valuable community aspect to cross-pollination.'
