Tag Archives: Italy

March 19, 2015 · 9:00 am

The Vincast with Randall Pollard from Heart & Soil

Randall Pollard is a name in Victoria synonymous with independent fine-wine sales, having worked in the industry for almost 20 years before opening his own wine store in Geelong (Randall’s), and then importing a range of outstanding artisan wines from France and Europe (Heart & Soil). His love of wine stems from sneaking glasses of wine from the cask at the age of 15, enjoying it with cheese and bread. He shared more stories from his career on this episode of The Vincast.

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Randall Pollard from Heart & Soil Wines

Randall Pollard from Heart & Soil Wines

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March 19, 2015 · 6:10 am

Damijan Podversic – Prowein 2015

Kaplja 2010
Very creamy caramel and some marzipan notes. Very fresh dense concentrated on the palate, sweet texture but not flavour.

Ribolla Gialla 2010
Shy, a little herbal, some nutmeg, lively subtle big finish though. Far too soon.

Damijan Podversic with a bottle of Ribolla Gialla 2010

Damijan Podversic with a bottle of Ribolla Gialla 2010

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March 19, 2015 · 5:47 am

Elena Walch – Prowein 2015

Pinot Bianco 2014
Excellent freshness brightness with just enough pithy texture. Looking good, needs to settle a bit.

Pinot Grigio 2014
A bit shyer on the nose, crunchier but fuller and warmer on the palate.

Castel Ringberg Pinot Grigio 2013
Nice intensity and depth, but still a good clean finish, rounder and still very fresh. Slightly toasty barrel savoury.

Kastelaz Pinot Bianco 2013
Richer fuller and much more textural, long on the palate but still with a bit of fruit sweetness.

Castel Ringberg Sauvignon 2013
Nice rich ripe style, solid varietal character without being too obvious.

Gewürztraminer 2014
Extremely fresh, textured but not fat, extremely oily or sweet.

Kastelaz Gewürztraminer 2013
Really fantastic, one of the best examples you are likely to find. Not fat or oily, focused with exceptional texture.

Pinot Nero 2013
Solid. Super solid. Fresh light and bright.

Ludwig Pinot Nero 2012
Denser sweeter dark fruit, more intense but still quite light and fresh, very classic in style. Oak there but not too oppressive.

Castel Ringberg Lagrein 2010
Slightly sweeter more oaky expression of the variety but still retaining that slight herbal spiciness.

Kermesse Cuvée 2011
Big wine, but very fresh, intense but not oaky. Bold tannins, lagrein makes a nice addition.

Karolina Walch with the Beyond the Clouds 2012

Karolina Walch with the Beyond the Clouds 2012

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March 19, 2015 · 5:18 am

Cantrina – Prowein 2015

Riné 2013
Bright aromatics, a bit floral, quite a bit of texture pithiness and some warmth.

Rosanoire 2014 pinot Nero
Very fresh light bright crunchy, sweet ripe tomato notes.

Valtenesi (Groppello) 2013
Light bright and a bit fruit sweet with a nice clean finish. Nice pinot alternative.

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Cristina Inganni from Cantrina and myself

 

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March 19, 2015 · 5:01 am

Tenute Dettori – Prowein 2015

Tuderi 2007
Interestingly savoury chocolate salty notes, very supple fresh long, lovely finish builds on the back of the palate.

Ottomarzo 2011
Really interesting chocolate salty dried fish, tight crunchy fresh, bright bold light but concentrated.

Tenores 2010
Tight focused round intense, velvety ripe florals, some sweet fruits. The warmth is there but not overwhelming.

Dettori 2011 (pre-phylloxera vines)
Very subtle, shy on the nose, sweet dark fruits, super intense explosive on the palate, highs and lows, very complete, a lot fresher than the 2005.

Dettori 2011

Dettori 2011

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March 6, 2015 · 7:31 pm

The Vincast with Lucia Barzanò from Il Mosnel

Il Mosnel was only the third domaine created in Franciacorta to make metodo classico wines from chardonnay, pinot noir (nero) and pinot blanc (bianco), way back when the DOC was created in the 1960s. Emanuela Barboglio was the matriarch of Franciacorta as the first woman to run an estate, and distinguished herself by focusing on white varieties – particularly pinot bianco. Her children now run the estate, and daughter Lucia Barzanò joined me on this episode whilst she was in Australia to talk about Il Mosnel and Franciacorta.

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Lucia Barzanò from Il Mosnel shows me the map of Franciacorta in Lombardia, Italy.

Lucia Barzanò from Il Mosnel shows me the map of Franciacorta in Lombardia, Italy.

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January 16, 2015 · 11:26 am

The Intrepid Wino drank things in 2014

Last year was a particularly good year for drinking for me, I have to admit it. Thanks to all the fantastic people I met and venues I discovered, who all work with some beautiful products, I got to both taste and drink (sometimes a bit too much) some amazing stuff. Some of these wines were tasted at events or trade tastings, some at my favourite bars & restaurants, and a few were tasted at wineries I visited (which was too rare in 2014). You’ll notice that many of these wines are Italian which very much reflects where I was at this year working for an importer of Italian wines, and also visiting Italy in June.

Let me know what you think, and tell me in the comments what were your highlight wines for 2014.

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2014 was a momentous year as it was the first time I tasted Claret!

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January 15, 2015 · 9:00 am

The Vincast with Jacopo Cossater

In 2007, with only an avid interest in wine, Jacopo Cossater decided to chronicle his wine journey and education via a blog called Enoiche Illusioni. Initially it was only a way for him to record his experiences tasting wines, but eventually he began to notice people reading and commenting on his posts. He was asked to become a contributor to a new kind of wine blog – a communal wine blog – called Intravino, that continues to be both popular and controversial. Now Jacopo has set his sights on sharing unique Italian wine stories written by Italians with the rest of the world, which he intends to do with English-translated Settembre. We chatted about his background and what he hopes this new publication will be.

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Jacopo Cossater

Jacopo Cossater

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January 8, 2015 · 9:00 am

The Vincast with Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

Peter Scudamore-Smith was Australia’s second ever Master of Wine, the most illustrious title and qualification one can receive in the wine industry. He has led a fascinating life of wine, and he joined me on the first episode of 2015 to discuss his origins in wine, working in both Australian and European wine markets, and how his love of Italy and France has led him to take tours there as part of his business Uncorked and Cultivated.

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Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

Peter Scudamore-Smith MW

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December 31, 2014 · 9:00 am

The Vincast with Anthony D’Anna from Boccaccio Cellars and Mondo Imports

Many Melbourne-based wine lovers would be familiar with the name Boccaccio Cellars, as they have regularly advertised in the Epicure lift-out of The Age every Tuesday. The Balwyn-based retailer has been selling wines for nearly 40 years, specialising in Italian wines. Anthony D’Anna, second generation Italo-Australian, has been heavily involved in the family business for many years, not only with Boccaccio but also their winery in the Yarra Valley (Hoddles Creek Estate) and more recently, Mondo Imports working with some outstanding small producers from Italy. He joined me on this episode of The Vincast to talk about his upbringing and work in the family business, and his perspective on Italian wines in Australia.

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Anthony D'Anna

Anthony D’Anna

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