MAPA DA MINA - BLOG da ANA CISSA - Ana Cissa's Blog

Astonishingly Well-Priced Brunellos From an Acclaimed Producer Text from Janine Lettieri, the sommelier at Le Bernardin and the Waverly Inn: As a sommelier at Le Bernardin and the Waverly Inn, I sold all of the big-boy Brunellos: Soldera, Biondi Santi and Gaja. Yes, they were great, but all of them are incredibly expensive. In terms of quality, Collemattoni wines can stand their ground against these legends. But coming from a small, up-and-coming winery, Collemattoni’s wines are much more affordable. This trio offers a delicious introduction. Collemattoni was founded in 1984 by Aldo Bucci, the father of the current owner, Marcello. Bucci has a predilection for tradition, and his wines seduce with their purity and elegance. This wine is matured more than three years before release – two and a half in Slovenian oak, one in bottle. It is vinified from 100 percent Sangiovese Grosso, a small-berry clone of Sangiovese that gives Brunello di Montalcino its structure a...

A Incrivel degustaçao as cegas dos maiores vinhos de Bordeaux

Today is Sauvignon Blanc Day, a holiday designated by Napa Valley's St. Supery to appreciate Sauvignon Blanc vines. And Asparagus season is just coming to a close, so enjoy this white aspargus soup recipe paired with a tasty glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The Dish: White asparagus soup (served hot or cold) The Wine: Brancott Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand Asparagus often gets a bad rap for smelling or tasting funny (or making other things smell strange). White asparagus, on the other hand, is a delicacy. It tastes slightly sweeter than its green cousin, and it's tender and versatile. Discover a taste for asparagus with this rich, creamy soup offered up by executive chef Marcus Jernmark of New York's Aquavit. This can be a dish best served cold on a summer afternoon, or you can keep it in the back of your mind to warm up a winter night. Ingredients: • 2 Cups white asparagus, peeled and diced • 2 Cups leeks, white part only, diced • 2 Cups potatoes, diced • 4 oz. butter •...

Wineries are known for contributing small portions of sales to good causes, particularly programs involving the environment. And then there are the wineries that go above and beyond the call of duty. Gordon Holmes, owner of California winery Lookout Ridge , started the business in 1998 after a long career in finance and publishing. But the same year that Holmes realized his lifelong dream of owning a winery, his wife, Kari, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Instead of derailing the family's plans for the winery, the news inspired Gordon to spring into action, leveraging his winery to do even more than just make great wine and money. According to the UN's World Health Organization, there are over 150 million people around the globe in need of wheelchairs. Holmes is trying to chip away at that figure, donating a wheelchair--for each current-release or library wine purchased--to a person in need, somewhere around the world. To date, Lookout Ridge has donated over...

This afternoon I stopped by one of my favorite spots for a Happy Hour in São Paulo - Santo Grão - and I had a glass of a particular Sangiovese that stuck with me: POGGIO SAN POLO RUBIO 2008. I am already a fan of Italian wines, but I had never tried this 100% Sangiovese beauty. Poggio San Polo has a beautiful ruby red color with purple hues and a very intense bouquet of cherries, currants, cassis and even violets. It is bold and yet it is smooth and silky, filled with subtle spicy notes. I appreciate wines with a big personality and I am adding San Polo 2008 to my list. ps: Did you know that the name Sangiovese comes from the Latin sanguis Jovis , "the blood of Jove"? Jove = Zeus Cheers!

Early on this evening, I was in a special mood...you know when EVERYTHING you do seems to come out absolutely perfect? Despite the rain, I had a really nice and productive day that ended up with an amazing massage (@ Acqua Spa with Tommy - http://www.acquabeautybar.com) After my massage I went shopping for some fish & veggies for dinner (right next door actually @ good'ol'no lines'Garden of Eden - who needs Wholefoods!?) and stopped by USQ Wines (http://www.unionsquarewines.com/) where I grabbed a bottle of 2007 Ca'DiPian - Barbera D'asti. Even though I was having fish I decided to stick to a bold wine. I can't help it...I am a bold wine girl. And my wine drinking choices usually go with what the weather is like and also my state of mind more so than the food I am eating it with. Sue me. Anyway...so the weather was truly awful. As my friend Sofia says, we had monsoonic style rain. That is the kind of weather that when you are out, walking around, all you can...

Last night I tried a delicious sake: Wakatake Onikoroshi Ginjo Sake Light, smooth and rich type. Very clean, round and quite impressive in the mouth. Little hint of watermelon. Wakatake History Established in 1832, from Shizuoko prefecture. Located along the Ohi river, in the center of Japan, flowing to the Pacific Ocean from Japan’s southern Alps; the town of Shimada once prospered as one of the lodging towns of the 53 post stations of the Tokaido. The original Wakatake Onikoroshi sake is historically famous for having comforted many weary travelers crossing the Ohi river. For years, since the brewery’s foundation, they have lived through the rise and fall of history with the people in the town, and have enjoyed their hospitality. Although there were several breweries in the town at that time, due to its good-quality water, Ohmuraya shuzojo brewery is the only one remaining now. They continue doing their best to convey one of the most important traditional industries of Japan to the n...

Why do we sometimes drink cheap wines? Well, in my case, it is because not all restaurants AND bars (specially) serve GOOD wines by the glass. So what a girl that does not drink hard liquor or beer, do when she wants a glass of wine and is out at a nice but not super swanky venue ? Well she makes the mistake of drinking a glass of crappy wine. And maybe a second glass, because you know, it’s a party and Spring is here…and let’s have some fun. Did someone say, “another glass of wine please!” NOOO!!! UGH. People, this is a not good situation. The high price we pay for crappy wine the morning after is no joke. Today is Friday. A work day. Why do I feel like HELL!!! ARGH!!!!! Ok, yeah, there is the DRINK PLENTY of water when drinking wine (specially bad wine) technique, but am I the only one that forgets to do that? Anyway, today I am having one of those days…and I didn’t even drink that much! Serioulsy, it’s just the QUALITY of the wine! Pretty amazing how much it can affect you.! ...

I fell in love with this little boutique vineyard in Mendoza - Argentina. I visited about 10 wineries during my stay in Mendoza, and nothing came close to ACHAVAL FERRER. From the minute I stepped in their property I was treated like royalty. Their vineyard is just precious. Very chic yet a very simple set up. Their staff gave me the impression that they truly love what they do and that they are very proud of the absolutely precious wine that they produce. After a short but very interesting and informative tour, I got to sit down outdoors, along with a few other visitors, facing the view of the vines down the valley, and we got to taste their beautiful wines. A very knowledgeable vigneron told us the history of their vineyard and went over each wine we were tasting, talking about the flavors, the notes, the years, & the blends... Achaval Ferrer is the first Argentine winery to score 96 points in Wine Spectator and their wines will continue to blaze a trail and prove to the skeptic...