Diwinetaste Podcast - English

Antonelli San Marco winery was established in 1881 by Francesco Antonelli and since then here are being produced excellent wines and olive oil. The winery is today run by Filippo Antonelli who, with unchanged commitment to quality, makes Sagrantino di Montefalco with a remarkable elegance, an identifying mark found in all of his wines. Montefalco Sagrantino Chiusa di Pannone 2007 conquers DiWineTaste five diamonds and the title of the best wine of June 2014.

Grape of very ancient origins - and mainly unknown - since the Middle Age it was known a red berried grape called "Grissa", which is probably corresponding to Barbera. A grape that in past times was associated to the production of common wines, thanks to the remarkable job of Piedmontese vintners, today Barbera is the mother of magnificent wines, among the excellencies of Italy.

Arnaldo Caprai winery - established in 1971 - has always believed in the remarkable potentials of Sagrantino, in particular when there were few in Montefalco committed to its production. With Marco Caprai, who is successfully running this extraordinary Umbrian winery since 1988, Sagrantino and Montefalco began a new journey and a new life to the conquer of the world. To the monumental Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni 2009 - emblem of the rebirth of this territory - goes the title of best wine of May 2014.

The taster does his or her job through senses and the use of a glass, a fundamental tool allowing the correct perception of the sensorial qualities of a wine and, in particular, of its faults. Not only a simple glass from which drinking a wine, indeed a technical tool capable of favoring the complex task of sensorial analysis.

Giampaolo Tabarrini is a passionate and exuberant vintner who made of Sagrantino his primary passion. To his Montefalco Sagrantino Colle alle Macchie 2009 we awarded DiWineTaste five diamonds as well as the title of the best wine of April 2014, an award to which is added Montefalco Sagrantino Passito Colle Grimaldesco 2008.

Today we simply call it Friulano, but this magnificent grape from Friuli Venezia Giulia - once Tocai Friulano and still today known worldwide as Sauvignon Vert or Sauvignonasse - has been always capable of making wine of remarkable body and longevity, all being characterized by a lively crispness and a pleasing touch of almond.

Roche d'Ampsej is the masterpiece of Matteo Correggia, unforgettable vintner of Langhe and Roero who, in just few years, was capable of conquering the worldwide scene, getting extraordinary success and awards. Today the heritage of Matteo Correggia lives on the job of his wife Ornella Costa and their sons, by making remarkable wines in this great territory in the province of Cuneo.

Recognizing wine aromas is something taking practice, memory and experience, qualities which cannot be learned in a short time. In the beginning it is good to concentrate on the aromas you can easily recognize, such as fruits and flowers.

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.