All posts by adrianopiazza

Raised in Italy and the US, I acquired aspects of both cultures. Curious by nature and with a passion for food, I graduated from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy (yes, it's a real thing!). I travel around the world to discover and learn what is considered good food by different cultures.

A Wine A Day – Battenfeld Spanier Riesling

Riesling anyone???

If your crush with a bad temper and an intriguing personality was a wine, it would be this one.

Let’s face it, people don’t drink enough Riesling, and it’s such a bad mistake.

This grape varietal, which originated in the Rhine region of Germany, can give you some very good times!

With relatively low alcohol (usually around 12%) and great minerality, it should be your go-to wine when eating winter vegetables such as squash and brussel sprouts; or apple and pear tarts.

Belived by many nowadays to be the best white variety in the world, it still suffers a bad reputation from the past. Though some poor quality wines were produced in the past, they are now better than ever.

Another big misconception is that German Rieslings are always sweet, but this Battenfeld Spanier Riesling is bone dry. Bright since the very first moment and with a great complexity, this fruity wine really got me.

With “just ripe” pear, apple, nectarine and lime developing at every sip,  this chalky and minerally wine, has a great personality and, it won’t leave you disappointed if you are looking to expand your knowledge of this magnificient style of wine.

Advise: definetely not the wine you want to bring to a party with friends ( if they are not into riesling of course), but, perfect to spice up a dinner with shelfish or vegetables.

For just over 15$ it will leave you curious to explore more.

Buy it today and enjoy it fresh or, age it for a few years and it will give even more thrills!

Cheers!

As usual, I want to remind that I am not payed to talk about any wine.

A Wine A Day – Vini Franchetti Passorosso 2014

Wow, really!

This Sicilian wine, grown on volcanic soil, is fuel for your dreams.

Hanging on old vines at a height between 1800 and 3200 ft on the iconic mount Etna, the grapes of Nerello Mascalese (indigenous variety) have given out a wine that is simply perfect.

Aged for 18 months in oak barrels, this Passorosso, new to the Etna Rosso D.O.C with this 2014 vintage, is complex and approachable at the same time.

With soft spices and plenty of minerality which you would expect from a wine grown on volcanic soil, this bottle is packed with “just ripe” red fruit and hints of blood orange.

The tannins are perfectly integrated and the alcohol is just right, giving a full body with enough grip to withstand almost any dish you can imagine while at the same time being delicate.

A great wine to enjoy with food or by itself on a chilly evening!