This summer has been HOT. If you’ve been outside much, your sweat beads are probably as big as those on a cold bottle of Pinot Bianco in the sun. I wouldn’t say I’ve gone so far as starting to call myself a winter person, but climate change is maybe pushing me to love autumn a little more. … Continue reading
In Etna, they produce spumante that has notes of lime pith than volcanic minerality. Sales have increased with the rise of the spritz—they currently make up 33% of all Etna sales in the US. I think I helped the domestic sales while I was there, as I drank Campari spritzes every day at aperitivo. Given spumante … Continue reading
I recently went to Sicily, not to follow the White Lotus life but to explore the wines of Etna, whose official DOC was formed in 1968. All the vineyards are situated in a half-ring at the foot of the volcano, whose eruptions have completely shaped the land and infused the soils, grapes, and wines with a bold, ashy … Continue reading
With shark sightings and some tragic accidents on the northeast coast this summer, stay inside and just watch Shark Week starting August 9 on the Discovery Channel. Pair your binge with this Fessina Erse Etna Bianco from a vineyard with lava deposits from Etna that go back centuries. The volcanic soils give it lots of gritty minerality with … Continue reading
I know a lot of people are doing dry January, but here at grapefriend we’re doing TRY January. And, we’re extending it through the whole year. So every month this year, let’s pledge to try one grape or region we’ve never had before. In? Of course you are! We all have our go-to grape varietals, … Continue reading
Having been ruled throughout history by the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Muslims, Spanish, Piedmontese, and even a few others, Sicily’s an island with a total mix of cultures. All those cultures had various levels of interest in and production of wine, so Sicily’s indigenous grapes have fluctuated in popularity against international varities. For most of the … Continue reading
