The saying goes something like (or exactly?!) like this, ” a picture is worth a thousand words”. I mostly agree with that, the same as I can ‘mostly’ agree with other generalizations.
Where I take exception (a personal thing, beauty is in the eye of the beholder) is photos that don’t say anything (and I’ve taken PLENTY of them, even if at the time I thought it was a good idea).
Here are some pictures that just might have something to say. I’ll give a brief set up, and you be the arbiter of any actual enjoyment they may bring – you. If even one photo can make you forget some of the ills in today’s world, then I’ll consider it a ‘good idea’ to share them.
stare at it for a moment. let the silence sink in. breathe in nature. Organic farming at Riecine in Chianti Classico zone.
now here’s a guy that’s both happy and confident; I like it! Guido Marsella, in his cellar on a cool March day, a week before the Covid-19 lockdown decree.
soil, rocks, vegetation, etc., and all thing things invisible to the eye are just some of the vine/fruit influencers. Organic farming at Podere La Cappella in Chianti Classico.
the guy on the right is really smart, a former big Pharma scientist. He got a rare offer to retire early/buyout – he jumped, and immediately sought out some 70++ yr old Sangiovese vines he knew were both very special, and quite ‘hidden’ in Chianti. Sometimes it’s not too late to change your life. Of course, a little good luck/fortune never hurts, either.
Above, the wines of La Gimonda, with its vineyards in an otherwise obscure sub-region of Chianti and in the village of Terriciola are some of my favorite on the planet. Super-low production, super-high personality factor.
organic farming (or soon to be!) in Calabria, with the Mediterranean sea in the background.
The organic farming within this mostly unknown region of Santa Venere, an established grower/winery, but with its new leader, a former high-powered, and very smart attorney, and it’s very unique Martian-like soil and cooling influence of the Med, it’s one to watch. As of this writing, the prices are VERY comfortable, and are greatly overshadowed by the overall quality. Gaglioppo, I love you!
with a bottle of Krug 168eme in my hand, we make our way to the stellar food and atmoshpere of Osteria Pepe Nero, in Cupra Marittima, which overlooks the meeting place of the Ionian and Adriatic seas.
the man, the legend, Paolo Bea. Most certainly in his prime.
Lucky me, to have such brilliant company as Paolo and (son, current winemaker/visionary) Giampiero Bea. Paolo was very happy this day. Only moments prior, he’d just returned with his drivers license renewed for another 6 months. Something vital to those over 90!
A sad, but necessary day in Chianti Classico, as the original (for Casa Emma) vines are removed after 40+ years. Hard to watch living things be torn from their homes/resting place, but time takes its toll on these plants; the production was low, the vigor had, sadly, become too weak.
yes, we’re about to taste all those Boscarelli wines!
the cool, dark cellars of Castello della Paneretta. This is another producer continually in pursuit of the finest wine he can grow. An excellent place to visit for: tasting, history lesson, great people, etc.
my aunt, bless her soul, hadn’t even been off the plane from Florida for 24 hours, and we were already living it up in the organically farmed vineyards of Baron von Widmann in the Trentino-Adige area.
inside the underground cellars of Ar.Pe.Pe. in the Valtellina region of Lombardia. To this date, it’s one of my finest, most educational visits I’ve had. With well more than 1000 such visits in the past 25 years, that’s saying a lot. Their care for our earth, their heritage, and the future is awe inspiring.
the vineyards near to the cellar at Ar.Pe.Pe. Their vineyards are located throughout the DOCG region, and these represent only a small portion of production/growing.
Ha! I love it when I come across a special project (i.e. experiment). This one is in Abruzzo, at the historical farm of Ciavolich.
And I’ll close, as this Thanksgiving day draws to a close. This tiny fragment of a seashell – as it relates to this region of Chianti, and many other growing regions far from the sea – is sitting atop some recently turned soil high in the hills of Chianti, and far from the sea. The second picture is taken at the winegrower’s home, just 5 minutes away from these vines (to give perspective of how far away any body of water is). History, folks, it’s such an important, and for me, interesting, part of the story.
time for some mediation after a very long day visiting (i.e. driving) some producers/friends/clients in the regions of Umbria and Lazio. Taken at a dear friend’s home in Terriciola.
Today that I found out I’ll be making my next 3-month journey to Italia beginning in ~ 6 weeks. Yay!
I was there as Covid-19 took over the country (90 day trip earlier this year) I love so much, and it’ll be just as powerful to learn how it’s emerging from the final grasps of the pandemic one year later. The mere thought of these fine people, their history, culture and fortitude give me a much needed jumpstart 8 months (or anytime, really) post-pandemic decree.
6 thoughts on “Wine Porn: sharing, farming, making, drinking, etc.”
Tim – Thank you for the pictures and commentary. Wonderful to look at – with a yearning for a return trip to Italy. Stay safe and well – and post more pictures!
so nice to read you, Randy. I’ve no doubt that you’re ready to return. Keep taking good care of yourself, and when the time is right, boom, you’ll be on your way!
hi, William
the answer, as with anything in these Covid-19 times is not so easy. I was set to begin tasting all the 2016 new-releases in Montalcino about 7 weeks from now, as usual. In light of the virus, that has been moved (and it might move again, who can say with absolute certainty) to 19 and 20 May, during the journalists’ preview. What follows is the latest message I have re: new-release BdM wines. If you email me, I can send you the entire .pdf, if you like.
“Questi appuntamenti saranno concentrati nelle giornate del 6,7,8, 13,14,15, 20,21,22 e
27,28,29 marzo p.v. Verranno organizzate giornate o sessioni dedicate a categorie particolari (per
es. enobloggers, influncers, giornalisti), mentre nei restanti giorni sarà possibile prenotare una sessione di due ore aperta agli operatori del settore, wine lovers, privati e altri.”
Thanks Tim, nothing further needed. I bought a few pre-arrival bottles based on the (likely inflated) scores of a well-known reviewer. I don’t like doing that but I want to snag some 2016’s before the inevitable price increases hit for this long-awaited vintage.
ItalianWine.blog 
Tim – Thank you for the pictures and commentary. Wonderful to look at – with a yearning for a return trip to Italy. Stay safe and well – and post more pictures!
Randy
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so nice to read you, Randy. I’ve no doubt that you’re ready to return. Keep taking good care of yourself, and when the time is right, boom, you’ll be on your way!
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Great pictures, Tim. A nice diversion from the craziness outside! Keep them coming!
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Tim, looking forward to your reviews of the 2016 Brunellos. Can you give us the expected timing for your reviews and postings?
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hi, William
the answer, as with anything in these Covid-19 times is not so easy. I was set to begin tasting all the 2016 new-releases in Montalcino about 7 weeks from now, as usual. In light of the virus, that has been moved (and it might move again, who can say with absolute certainty) to 19 and 20 May, during the journalists’ preview. What follows is the latest message I have re: new-release BdM wines. If you email me, I can send you the entire .pdf, if you like.
“Questi appuntamenti saranno concentrati nelle giornate del 6,7,8, 13,14,15, 20,21,22 e
27,28,29 marzo p.v. Verranno organizzate giornate o sessioni dedicate a categorie particolari (per
es. enobloggers, influncers, giornalisti), mentre nei restanti giorni sarà possibile prenotare una sessione di due ore aperta agli operatori del settore, wine lovers, privati e altri.”
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Thanks Tim, nothing further needed. I bought a few pre-arrival bottles based on the (likely inflated) scores of a well-known reviewer. I don’t like doing that but I want to snag some 2016’s before the inevitable price increases hit for this long-awaited vintage.
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