A NEW YEARS' RESOLUTION:

                   DRINK  THE  WORLD!

Make 2011 the year you truly discover wine; leave your favorite wine variety in the wine rack and replace it with some new experiences.  Explore some of the truly great wines of the world before you go back to that wine rack.  Open your mind, your palate and break out into a new world; which in most cases will be the "old world," as in Europe.

For all the wine lovers out there who have not explored Europe may I suggest this "to do" list:
Northern Italy is a stop all wine lovers must make.  Let's review three regions:  Piedmont, Tuscany and Veneto.  The first, Piedmont, is where Barolo and Barbaresco are made from the Nebbiolo grape.  These big, robust wines mature after years of aging into complex, yet delicate wines with layers of flavors.  Wines produced from Angelo Gaja, Bruno Giacosa, and Giacomo Borgogno (I had his 1947 vintage a few years back - an experience of a lifetime) are wines to seek out.

Pinot Noir lovers must give Barara a try, another enjoyable wine from the region. Those wines produced from the towns of Alba and Asti are definitely on the "to do" list.  Another "must try" is Gavi, a white wine made from the Cortese grape.  This wine is bone dry with crisp acidity, layered with flint and minerals.

The next region, Tuscany, offers many more varieties than its famed Chianti.  Take time to experience other wines from the Sangiovese grape: Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and Rosso di Montepulciano.

Brunello is a full-bodied and earthy wine - mushrooms on the nose, and red berries on the palate, are classic characteristics, along with a deep, rich texture.  It is vinified to be conducive to long periods of bottle aging.  Look for these producers: II Poggione, Banfi and Biondi Santi.  Brunello will hold its own with any great wine.

Rosso di Montepulciano is the little brother of Brunello.  This wine is an easier-drinking, fresher and fruitier version of Vino Nobile, yet shorter-lived.  Its medium body and aromas of violets are traits that mirror its bigger brother.  Vino Nobile is very well rounded on the palate with strong fruit supported by satiny tannins.  An extremely lush wine, it has a pleasant, long lasting finish.

A white wine from the region is Vernaccia di San Gimignano, made from the Trebbiano grape.  This wine is powerful and full-bodied, with a rich, heady bouquet and a crisp clean taste that lingers long on the palate.  It's golden-hued and both warms and inspires.  There are three kinds of Vernaccia.  One is Tradizionale, made with extended maceration of the skins to draw the most from the grapes.  Fiore, from free-run must, is the reverse of Tradizionale.  It's a delicate wine that is much lighter on the palate, and subtly flavored.  Finally, Carato, which is barrel-fermented; the wood tannins from the barrels give the wine a more international character, with hints of vanilla on the nose, and added body and complexity on the palate.

Lastly is the Veneto region where Valpolicella provides a tasting experience that will delight the senses.  The town is situated north of Verona and west of Venice.  This little community delivers three juicy red wines: Amarone, Ripasso della Valpolicella and Recioto dellaValpolicella.  Amarone is a very ripe, raisiny, full-bodied wine with very little acid.  Alcohol content easily surpasses 15%.  The wine is rarely released until five years after the vintage; quality producers are Masi, Boscaini, and Alighieri.

Ripasso della Valpolicella is made by allowing Valpolicella wine to soak over the leftover grape skins and seeds from the production of Amarone.  This extended maceration helps boost the alchol level and tannin of the wine while also contributing to its complexity, flavor and color.  Recioto della Valpolicella is made from grapes on the shoulders of the grape bunches.  The ripest of the bunch, this wine has a richness that is packed full of flavor.  The wine is medium-bodied with a beautiful, crushed velvet texture and a palate brimming with vivid, seductive black fruit and chocolate.

A wonderful white from the region is Recioto di Soave Superiore from the little town of Soave.  The wine is yellow-gold in color with a compex aroma reminiscent of acacia honey with a floweru scent and a well-balanced, full-bodied and velvety bouquet.  It is best served with Pandoro from Verona and all sorts of biscuits and dry pastries.  It is also very good served with ripe cheese.