The Etruscans introduced the first type of high training system. Vines were trained to grow high in trees using the branches as support. This resulted in long canes and cordons for the vine, producing a dense canopy and an abundance of grapes. This system, known   (meaning: vine married to the tree), remained widely practised until the middle of th ..read more

Let's start with turkey, the go-to meat for this time of year. Turkey tends to be dry, so you're going to need something juicy to slosh it all down with. A great option would be a Valpolicella ..read more

Historically, Italy's wine-growing areas have been somewhat isolated due to geography, topography, or politics, which has allowed many native varieties to survive into the modern age. Over the centuries ..read more

When tasting wine it’s important to select the correct shaped glass and serve the wine at the right temperature. Both of these factors will affect the wine’s aroma. Select a tulip-shaped glass (for red, white and rosé wines) and only fill it to a third full. If the wine is too cold its aromas will be suppressed. If the wine is too warm its aromas will vaporise too quickly and be overpowered by alcohol fumes. - Without swirling the wine in the glass take your first sniff. What you’re trying to identify here is whether there are any undesirable smells and then capture the delica ..read more

Before 2009, Italy’s wines were classified into four groups, as illustrated in the pyramid below ..read more

The attack stage is the first impression the wine makes when you take a sip. With this first sip, you’ll be able to detect the temperature, the presence of any ..read more

Before the mid-1800s, Barolo wines were supposedly finished sweet. This style didn't please the Marquise of Barolo, Giulia Falletti, so she asked the Count of Cavour to come up with a way of producing Barolo in the dry style we are more familiar with today ..read more

EU wine law requires the following information on wine labels ..read more

Decanting vintage wines is often a good idea as it helps remove any natural sediments ..read more

When we think of volcanic wines from Italy, the first to spring to mind are those made in the shadow ..read more