Sign in | Log in

2009
October 6, 2009

Spots of the Leopard: Q&A with Winemaker Francesco Mocavero

Mattie John Bamman
Photos by Mattie John Bamman

It’s grape-picking time in Puglia, and I caught up with Winemaker Francesco Mocavero of Mocavero Winery to discuss how this year’s harvest is going.

September 24, 2009

Wine from the Pump

Mattie John Bamman
Photos by Mattie John Bamman

Vino sfuso is the stuff of folklore for those of us who grew up in the United States. Growing up, I heard tales of gas-station wine from relatives and starry-eyed travelers, and...

September 4, 2009

What Determines High-Quality Olive Oil?

Mattie John Bamman
Photos by Mattie John Bamman

I took a short respite from wine this week to learn about the complex world of high-quality, extra virgin olive oil. Puglia produces two-thirds of all the olive oil in Italy, and...

August 28, 2009

Pirro Varone: Organic Wine In Southern Italy

Mattie John Bamman
Photos by Mattie John Bamman

Piero Ribezzo, owner of Pirro Varone Winery, talks about roses, cellphones, and organic wine among his Primitivo grapevines in Manduria, Italy.

August 19, 2009

Southern Italian Cult Wine: Q&A with Sergio Botrugno

Mattie John Bamman
Photos By Mattie John Bamman
Sergio Botrugno in his cella vinaria in Brindisi, Italy.

Sergio Botrugno, winemaker at Botrugno Winery, keeps production down and quality high, gaining a small but fervent following around the world. At his winery in Brindisi, Italy, we...

August 10, 2009

Q&A with Winemaker Massimiliano Apollonio

Mattie John Bamman
Photos By Mattie John Bamman

An interview with Apollonio Winery's Massimiliano Apollonio, one of the top 5 winemakers south of Rome.

August 6, 2009

A Grand Tour of the Wines of the Salento Peninsula

Mattie John Bamman
Photos by Mattie John Bamman

The Italian festival Il Mercatino del Gusto celebrated its 10th year this August. Organized by the Slow Food organization, the annual 4-day festival transforms the usually quiet...

July 29, 2009

Welcome to Sipping from the Heel: An Introduction to Puglia Wine

Mattie John Bamman
Photo By Mattie John Bamman
Puglia's sun-soaked, breeze-swept wine country.

Sipping from the Heel is designed to share these wines with you, the newest and best wines, like a friend, so that you, in turn, can then share them with your good friends. I will...