Artisan Wines, Aleatico Maestro

Artisan Wines, Aleatico Maestro

If you ever want to meet the original, archetypical maker of artisan wines, head for Gradoli – a small town on the west of Lake Bolsena, about 70 miles north of Rome – and look for Francesco from La Carcaia. If you don’t know where to begin, go to the tiny...
Est! Est! Est!

Est! Est! Est!

The Fugger family were from what is today Germany. The family controlled much of the trade in Europe in the 16th century, so much so that Jakob, who lived at the beginning of that century, is considered one of the wealthiest men ever to have lived. Their connection...
All About Aleatico

All About Aleatico

The Devil went down to Gradoli, a small town on the west side of Lake Bolsena, about 70 miles north of Rome. Here, he proceeded to make a real nuisance of himself. He lived in a cave near the town and amused himself by making the lives of the inhabitants miserable....
Hot Springs and An Artisan Winery

Hot Springs and An Artisan Winery

The geology of Italy is very complex but, to put it simply, this is where Europe meets Africa. The European tectonic plate goes up and the African one goes down and the result is the mountain range called the Apennines. It’s way more complicated, but that will do for...
A Sense of History, Frascati Style…

A Sense of History, Frascati Style…

Generally, the Italians wear their sense of history lightly; to do otherwise would impose too heavy a burden. That having been said, I know some who live just north of Rome who associate themselves strongly with the ancient Etruscans and speak bitterly of their defeat...