Yaiza Blanco Seco 2022

The colour is pale straw. On the nose pineapple, mango, banana and golden apple. In the mouth very fresh. The aftertaste is medium long.

This white wine is made with Malvasía Volcánica grapes by Vega de Yuco in Lanzarote, the easternmost DO within the Spanish Canary Islands.

The Canary Islands sit at a latitude of roughly 28°N, making them Europe’s southernmost most wine region. Continue reading “Yaiza Blanco Seco 2022”

Ograde 2019

The colour is medium copper. A bit cloudy. On the nose candied citrus-fruits, strawberries, mango, orange marmalade and resin. In the mouth fresh and surprisingly tannic for a white wine. It leaves a drying sensation. The aftertaste is medium long. This wine is very peculiar.

Ograde is an orange wine made with each 25% Vitoska, Malvasia, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio grapes. Continue reading “Ograde 2019”

Edizione Cinque Autoctoni 2017

The colour is deep purple. On the nose dark cherries, blackberries, pepper, leather and some menthol. In the mouth very filling, with a drying finish. The aftertaste is fruity and very long.

This is a big and powerful wine, which doesn’t surprise given the provenience and the blend. Edizione is made with Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Malvasia grapes from two regions of southern Italy: Puglia and Abruzzo.

This wine was inspired by Hugh Johnson, one of the most famous wine journalists in the world, and produced by Farnese Vini, a leading wine export company in the South of Italy, with a production of over 24 million bottles.

Edizione 2017 has been awarded 99 points by Luca Maroni, an Italian wine critic, who I never heard about before (unlike Robert Parker, James Suckling or Jancis Robinson).

For this bottle I paid 17.40 CHF at LIDL, 38% off the original price of CHF 28.50. I have the impression that this wine is on sale most of the time, meaning that the real price is closer to 18 CHF than 28 CHF. At 18 CHF I find it delivers a very good price/quality ratio for consumers that like fruit bombs. For my taste this wine is a bit “tiring”. A kind of wine of which I enjoy the first glass much more than the third.

Country: Italy
Region: Puglia, Abruzzo
Grapes: Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro, Malvasia
Type: Red
Vintage: 2017
Producer: Farnese Vini
Price range: Medium (15-30 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5

Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina 2008

The colour is medium amber. On the nose nuts, dried fruits and honey. In the mouth rich and velvety. The aftertaste is subtle, but very long.

This Vin Santo is produced by Fèlsina, a winery dedicated to the production of good quality mono-varietals wines, made mainly with the indigenous Sangiovese grape, but also with international varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. The winery is located at the border between the Chianti Classico DOCG and the Chianti Colli Senesi DOCG. Continue reading “Vin Santo del Chianti Classico Fèlsina 2008”

Nesoi Malvasia Volcanica 2018

The colour is pale straw. On the nose pear, banana and melon, with mineral notes. In the mouth very refreshing. The finish is fruity and savoury, accompanied by a prickly sensation.

Malvasia is an ancient grapes’ family believed to be of Greek origin. Its name is a derivation of the coastal Greek town of Monemvasia, where the Venetians had a strategically important fortress and trading post during the time of their empire. Continue reading “Nesoi Malvasia Volcanica 2018”

Blandy’s Madeira Malmsey 1940

Very dark amber color. Nose dominated by tiramisù (a mix of cream, cocoa and coffee), with some nutty and tea sensations. In the mouth, the (sour) creamy side dominates and it reminds me of Baileys Irish Cream. The aftertaste linger for a very long time.

Although it owns a lot of its fame to the island’s geographical location in the Atlantic Ocean and its consequent importance as a hub for sea traffic, Madeira is one of the treasures of the wine world. Continue reading “Blandy’s Madeira Malmsey 1940”