Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Alto means high, referring to altitude when talking about wine, in both Spanish and Italian. Recently higher altitude locations have been planted more and more. A few decades ago, these areas were not seen as suitable for growing quality grapes as the climate back then was too cool. Today, with many producers witnessing a rising temperature, and a lot of new techniques in the vineyard, these areas are finally becoming viable. The higher you plant the cooler the temperature will be, but you will also receive more sun which in turn helps ripen the grapes. The temperature will be quite warm during the day, but very cool at night. This leads to ripe fruit aromas developing during the day, followed by a cool nighttime keeping the fresh acidity in the grapes, the best of both worlds for the grapes.

In Italy this development has been very prominent in northern Piemonte in the last decade. There is now talk about an area called Alto Piemonte, comprised of a few different wine regions. They are all located higher up in the mountains, and like the most famous wines from Piemonte many are based on the Nebbiolo grape. The most well-known wine regions would be Ghemme, Gattinara, and Boca.

But Alto Piemonte is not the only area where the term is used. In quite a few cases, in both Italy, Spain, Argentina and Chile the term can be seen used as part of a producer name or even as the name of a specific wine, sometimes to convey the wine is from a high planted vineyard. It is not uncommon however for winemakers to use the term to show it&rsquo;s their highest quality wine, not a wine from high altitude.

More wine growers have shown interest in high altitude vineyards lately, and the record of the highest planted one is something a few are trying to beat. It&rsquo;s safe to say the positive effects the altitude has on the growing grapes mean these vineyards are here to stay, and terms as alto may be used in more languages soon.

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore a wonderful selection of wine at the  Italian trattoria Buca’s Tuscan Roadhouse, 

Wine List Review of Buca's Tuscan Rhode House, Massachusetts

Michaela Quinlan

Buca

Buca&rsquo;s 

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top. So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Buca&rsquo;s. Located in Harwich, MA, this Italian trattoria will transport you to Northern Italy with fresh, homemade pastas, and classic Italian cuisine.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: You will notice Buca&rsquo;s is mentioned frequently in the Best Of section of Cape Cod Life, and well worth it. Their wine list has received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and features a number of standout selections. I hope you enjoy today&rsquo;s recommendations.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: The first that caught my eye was the 2020 Boccadigabbia Le Grande from the Marche in Italy. The white grape in this wine is 100% Ribona, is medium-bodied, and lightly oaked. This rich, white wine showcases ripe pear, green apple, melon, and a mineral finish with notes of almond. A perfect companion to creamy pasta.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: The next stand out wine is a beautiful, highly rated Bordeaux blend from Italy. The 2017 Sor Ugo, Ala Vecchia from Tuscany, specifically Bolgheri. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, cabernet franc, and petit verdot, this full-bodied red features aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, cassis, spice, nutmeg, and a hint of lavender. This is the bold red to consider for your rich pastas and proteins.

RT: So, Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: Definitely a must-try is the 2017 Il Borro Toscana. This Super Tuscan, which is a term used for such blends consisting of sangiovese and cabernet sauvignon, is organic and has received a 95-point rating from James Suckling and Robert Parker. This red stands out for its incredible spice. You have ripe blackberries, cassis, minerality, soft tannins, and notes of cocoa and a touch of chili powder on the finish. Pair this wine with any rich pasta and spicy dishes.

RT: These are some great calls. So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: If the previous reds are a bit rich for your palate, then consider the 2020 Pipoli, Vigneti del Vulture Blanc. This is a unique white blend of Greco and Fiano grapes from the Basilicata region of Southern Italy that features aromas of white flowers, with flavors of citrus and melon with a mineral finish. This wine is a perfect aperitif, or to pair with salads and lighter fare.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: When in search of a quality/value Italian white wine, I always look for a Grillo. The 2020 Cantine Colosi Grillo from Southern Italy fits the bill. This light, dry white wine features grapefruit, pear, and melon, along with bright acidity, minerality, and that classic almond/nutty finish. The Grillo grape is a fantastic alternative for Sauvignon Blanc fans. DO pair this wine with cheese and shellfish.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Another unique Italian grape varietal of great quality and value is the 2017 Nails Margreid, Schiava from Alto Adige. I am most familiar with Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige, so this red grape jumped out at me. Schiava is a medium-bodied, red grape that produces well-balanced wines featuring raspberries, and cranberries, along with earth, spice, and a note of vanilla on the finish, as this wine ages in French oak. Certainly a crowd pleaser and a companion to pasta and richly sauced proteins.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: Robert and I regularly discuss our fondness for this style of wine. One to consider for a special occasion would be the 2017 Allegrini, Amarone della Valpolicella located in the Veneto. Grapes used within this region spend additional time drying out before production resulting in the following classic flavors. This bold, full bodied red wine is 100% Corvina and showcases rich aromas and flavors of dried plumb, ripe blackberries, smoke, tobacco, and notes of coca on the finish and will certainly stand up to any and all rich dishes on the menu.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Buca&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible. We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Castello del Poggio is a historic winery in the heart of Italy's Piedmont region. With over 300 years of winemaking experience, the Morando family has always been dedicated to producing wines that express the unique character of the terroir. Today, the winery is owned by the Zonin family, who have continued the tradition of producing high-quality wines while also embracing innovation.

Upscale chain for aged prime beef, seafood & other traditional steakhouse fare in a clubby space.

Frenchette

Le Bernardin

Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

Charlie Bird

Becco

Buddha-Bar Restaurant New York

Buddha Bar

Franks Wine Bar

Frank's

Maison

Maison Premiere

Pastis

Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

Aldo Sohm

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Morton’s The Steakhouse

Postmark

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Clos de los Siete

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The Paring

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Loveblock

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I Gran Reserva NV

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Maison No. Mediterrane Ros NV

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Calera

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The Prisoner Wine Company, Chardonnay, Los Carneros NV

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Davis Bynum

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