No eloquent words, no loquacious lead-in, just good times. This trip to Italy will not be forgotten.

I think the video says it best…

Photos & film by: Fermented Thoughts
Music by: Zucchero Fornaciari

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. Bright. Ruby. Intense. A rich girl for sure... Pulled, poured, and pause ... 10 min ... Sniff, sniff? PIMENTO POW! Up, off the floor - I dive in to find more salty olive brine, wrapped up in blueberry syrup and twiggy fresh, bushy red fruit. I hear a sultry, low, vanilla-infused French accent - as she speaks - decadent notes of coconut add confusion. Pinot Noir ... so feminine, obscure, intriguing ... Now, I sip. Dry and full, she's voluptuous and hot. Off the burner warm, dark Bing cherry juice glides along, spilling open to offer cocoa, fig puree, sweet forest berries and fleetingly funky, worn barn floor. Man, she's hot. And intoxicating. (14.8% ABV) Nothing tame here. Indeed, a definitive example of hot vs. beautiful. - Tasted 2/13/2010.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. This summer, I was hot for Lopez de Heredia and yet, I missed my opportunity to purchase this wine when it was first released. So, tonight - I jumped when my local Sommelier pointed out something special on the list: The 1998 R. López de Heredia Rioja Rosado Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia. Excuse me? Yeah, it's a mouthful. Even before opening, the color seduces you ... In the glass, vibrant peach rust hues lure you into the bouquet of sweet marzipan, bright red fruit, warmed sawdust, dried apricot, peach cobbler and deep, wet sandy notes. The briny minerality is scary ... Think of laying on a warm, wet beach towel, fresh out of the ocean. If I were blind, I'd guess this as a red. So full, the mouthfeel is unreal. Tart cherry flavors yield to cinnamon spice and as the roller coaster undulates up and down, we're lead from cranberry to wet and woolly sour lactic funk - butter milk notes give me flashbacks of Joly's Coulée de Serrant but, this isn't the Loire my friends... No, no. Twelve years of careful and calculated age show what precision oxidation does to dress up this Rioja cuvée. 60% Grenache, 30% Tempranillo, and 10% Viura intermingle playfully on the tongue and leave you in an mild aldehydic, Jerez like trance as the ethereal marzipan reemerges - morphing into a mature, restrained nuttiness ... Up and down and indeed, well worth the ride! - Tasted 1/16/2010.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. It's electric! Dark n' deep gold - spraying viscous wafts of 93 octane premium petrol, sharp key lime spritz, and ripe Georgia peach. Grab a few white flowers, toss'em in the blender and puree some flamboyant apricot preserves. Now, add in sugary egg yolks, salty pistachios and some fresh shaved truffle. Whoo awww... Ride the Rhine river to Pfalz and get some! I had the chance to meet Ranier Lingenfelder, proprietor, at the New York Wine Expo back in February, and this guy's family has been doing Riesling since the 14th century. Trust the tradition. - Tasted 12/30/2009.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. Step away from the bottle... Originally, poured to celebrate Christmas Eve dinner, we immediately knew there would be another present to open on Christmas day. Decanted overnight - the wine was allowed a solid 20 hours to unwind. The next day brought New World power and European elegance. Beautiful Bordeaux aromas of warm prune, moist Maduro cigar wrapper, gravel floor, and zingy blackberry liqueur - lead to eucalyptus, cedar and tomato green notes. The grace of Bordeaux mixed with the bold fruit of Sonoma. Very age-worthy. - Tasted 12/25/2009.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. Interesting vegetal green bean notes open to milk chocolate, spice, hickory smoke, and bright raspberry. Young strawberries and wet leaves are carried by soft tannins and dropped into a pile of fresh mushrooms. A unique blend of new and old world styles. - Tasted 12/23/2009.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. Deeeep, mega purple... Sneeky medicinal eucalyptus, cracked peppercorn and wafty bacon fat fade into smokey n' savory buttered-toffee happiness. She's a round one! Tart, dark cherry paste, lined with vanilla-menthol lace. Nothing petite about it. The low-down on Lodi! - Tasted 12/21/2009.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. Why not? Inexpensive Cremant brings class and nuance others cannot for $16. Vibrant green apple, subtle river rock, briney sour cream cake, and nice yeasty, toasty marzipan finish. Good fizz! - Tasted 12/20/2009.

Tasted by fermentedthoughts. Pale rose in color, almost onion skin. Notes of almond, briney, wet stone and citrus. Candied lemon peel leads to a med body and flavors of umami wrapped raspberry. Nicely understated New So. Wales fruit. - Tasted 12/16/2009.

Should you find yourself in Napa, California in search of wine from serious mountain fruit - I suggest you find your way to Spring Mountain Vineyard and taste the dream.