Amarone to Sforzato: A Veneto and Lombardy Abbondanza

The Event Re-cap:

Wow!  Our first Regional Italian Extravaganza was a tremendous success.  Sixteen stunning wines were enjoyed by sixty very happy palates! Thank you to everyone who made last night such a great event.  We definitely achieved our goal of sharing an overall view of the characteristic styles of wine produced in these unique regions.  Many of you who tasted commented that you now felt like experts on Amarone and were eager to delve further into the world of Sforzato.  If you missed the event, here is the line-up (just to make you feel even worse…):

Sinful Spanish Tasting

Here at the Wine Bottega we’ve got all your Valentine’s Day needs taken care of. Reenacting the spaghetti and meatballs scene from Lady and the Tramp? That’s amore! Here’s a nice Chianti. Having a bit of trouble knowing whether your date is The One or not? Have some rosé- it’s not red, it’s not white! But if you’re looking for some heat… If you’re looking to add some sultriness… Well, have we got a line-up for you! From the Basque country and a rustic cider to the rich, heady sweetness of a nearly bygone specialty from Malaga, these are all wines with stories behind them. These wines have personalities that can serve a host of foods- and occasions other than V-Day. But for know, let us spin you some tales and set the mood. So put on the Andrés Segovia, or cue up some flamenco. Good luck, romantics. These are for you.

Industry Meets Artistry: A Tasting of Lombardy

Since the Middle Ages, Lombardy has been the epicenter of big Italian business, be it silk and textile manufacturing around Lake Como, banking in Milan or mining and metallurgy in Brescia.  In terms of a wine region Lombardy’s got it all!  From the refined bubbles of Franciacorta (Italy’s rival to Champagne) to the crisp and full white wines of Lake Garda, not to mention the regional endearing oddities of the Oltrepò Pavese with their unique fizzy fruit and the big boys of the alpine Valtellina, where the local nebbiolo (chiavennasca) creates a sublime counterpart to Barolo.