Photo diary

📸 Photo diary: 5 Star Wines & Opera Wine 2021

Paul Caputo

Jul 1, 2021 — 2 min read

I was a panel chairman during the 5 Star Wine competition held in Verona. Once the business of judging was over, it's a great chance to catch up with old friends and of course meet new ones.

The Wine Spectator Opera Wine event followed as a prelude to VinItaly

Out and about in town with Chris Barnes, Hayley Black, Tara Jabour, Magda Bevari and Andre Ribeirinho.

Chris Barnes smashing the oysters, Hayley Black on the ale

🍇 Grape guide: Ciliegiolo

Ciliegiolo is a very old red grape variety grown in central Italy, most notably in Tuscany. For a long time it was used as a blending variety in the two Chianti appellations, but there is now a growing list of mono-varietal wines produced exclusively from Ciliegiolo, particularly close to the

💯 Tasting: The Historical SuperTuscans

Earlier this year, I attended a rare tasting of wines from members of the Association of Historical SuperTuscans. Predominantly hailing from the 2016 vintage, these were a joy to taste and and a reminder that they remain some of the finest wines in the world. As Tuscany’s wine scene

🇬🇪 Reflections on the Gurjaani Wine Festival

It’s mid afternoon in Eastern Georgia and an October sun loiters in the boundless blue sky. A shimmering heat haze lingers over the Alazani river plain, distorting the vast snow capped profile of the Caucusses. We’re just over 100km from Tbilisi, in the Kakheti region’s principle winemaking

💯🌋 Tasting report: Etna Bianco

Etna’s evocative landscapes conjure thoughts of vibrant wines that bristle with energy, tart fruit and fiery acidity. The territory is in vogue right now and even with rapidly rising prices the wines are an easy sell. Reds from Nerello Mascalese have driven the recent renaissance, but I predict it

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🍇 Grape guide: Ciliegiolo

💯 Tasting: The Historical SuperTuscans

🇬🇪 Reflections on the Gurjaani Wine Festival

💯🌋 Tasting report: Etna Bianco