By |

We were so thrilled to learn that Wanda Mann (above), one of our favorite American wine writers, will be appearing on a panel entitled “The Language of Wine” at the 2021 Symposium for Professional Wine Writers at Meadowood Napa Valley in May.

She’ll be joined by other top names in wine writing today like (our friend) Ray Isle (Food & Wine), Erica Duecy (Pix), Reva Singh (Sommelier India Wine Magazine), and Jeannie Cho Lee (The Asian Palate).

One thing that’s really cool about this year’s virtual gathering (one of the wine writing world’s most prestigious, if not the most prestigious) is that the entire program will be offered online. In the past, of course, you had to travel to Napa to attend.

Professional wine writers can apply here.

Some of our friends will remember that Wanda did a live interview with Alicia last summer. Check it out here. It’s been great to follow her career and her meteoric rise as one of the country’s highest-profile wine writers. We hope we “see” you on the occasion of her panel!

By |

Above: American sommelier Heath Porter at the Château de Bagnols in Beaujolais (pre-pandemic photo).

On Saturday, March 27, at 5 p.m. EST, Alicia will be joining celebrity sommelier Heath Porter for a virtual tasting of her family’s wines in Miami (although guests can tune in from anywhere).

Click here for details and registration info.

Heath managed some of the most critically acclaimed wine lists in the U.S. before launching his wine tours business, Heathen Wine Tours, a few years ago. With travel on hold, he has now shifted to virtual and socially distanced events.

Check out this interview with Heath about how he has managed to rebuild a successful business in the time of the pandemic (by our blog master).

This is just the first in a series of virtual events where Alicia will be appearing in upcoming weeks. Be sure to stay tuned for more opportunities to taste and interact with her.

By |

Liquor.com – December 21, 2020

In “The 20 Best Sparkling Wines to Drink in 2020,” Vicki Denig recommends the best sparkling wines to celebrate with this year, with input from Sam Stoppelmoor, Wine Director and General Manager at La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels in New York. Among them:

LINI 910 Labrusca Rosso NV (Best Sparkling Red)

“There’s a reason why Italians drink lambrusco all day long – it’s fruity, it’s relatively low alcohol, and it’s seriously tasty. Lini ‘910’ is produced from sustainably-farmed fruit via the Martinotti (Charmat) method. Flavors of ripe red fruit and forest berries jump from the wine’s juicy palate – think of this stuff like grape juice for adults. Sip with Asian takeout favorites, pizza, or barbecue dishes.”

Uproxx – December 19, 2020

In “Sauce Up Your Pizza Night With These Wines Under $35,” Janice Williams recommends wines to “elevate even the most basic of mid-week pizza nights.” Among them:

LINI 910 Labrusca Bianco NV

“Hailing from the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, this is a white wine that’s drier than the napkin you’ll need to dab your grease-covered lips with after biting into a white pie. And yet, somehow, it displays a level of freshness that balances the decadent ricotta and olive oil topping on that classic pizza iteration. Because this is made completely of Salamino grapes, the smells of crisp pear and hard lemon candies from your grandmother’s purse spill out the bottle. On the palate, this wine is intense with stony acidity – probably a nod to the cement vats it’s aged in. It displays crisp expressions of citrus that last throughout its generous lingering finish. You know those pizzas that are so amazingly decadent that it’s hard to breathe after wolfing down a slice? Well, this wine is the dry, frothy air to revive your lungs. Wash out your palate with this, and get ready for the next bite.”

By |

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your loved ones from the Lini family. Thank you for all your support this year. Wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. #grateful #Thanksgiving2020 #HappyHolidays

By |

Just had to share this photo from a few years ago when the Lini family hosted some American friends at the winery with a classic Emilia-style pre-lunch Saturday aperitivo.

When we think of Lambrusco pairings, it’s only natural to go straight to prosciutto, salumi, and the classic ragù that are served in Emilia.

But one of the best pairings, however surprising to some, is pinzimonio, crudités served with a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar.

It’s such a classic of Emilian hospitality and it’s wonderful on a warm summer day.

WE MISS ITALY! WE MISS EMILIA!

By |

We were so thrilled to see this Instagram post and tasting note from Alessandra Esteves, Master of Wine candidate and founder of the Florida Wine Academy: “Lambrusco Rosé: dry, tart and delicious, with delicate bubbles. Lini 910 Labrusca was perfect with Sunday pizza.”

Thank you, Alessandra! That means so much coming from you! We can wait to meet and taste with you one of these days. And we’re looking forward to next year’s VinoSummit!

By |

That’s “Shanghai Noodle Surf + Turf” at Meyers & Chang in Boston above: “Soy marinated beef + shrimp, bell peppers + bean sprouts come together in a zingy black pepper sauce in the wok with wheat noodles. Brightened up with a little peanut + lime” (via the restaurant’s Instagram).

Hungry yet?

They only have a handful of wines on their list. But man, it’s such a great wine program!

Here’s their tasting note for the Lini Lambrsuco Labrusca Rosato: “Sparkling rosé – sour cherries, strawberry jam. Dry – friendly with all sorts of food!”

Right now we are DREAMING of pairing the Labrusca with that dish. But alas, they don’t deliver to Emilia!

It’s on our list for when we can get back to America!

By |

“Never one to follow trends,” writes leading wine writer and educator Wanda Mann (above), author of the popular Wine With Wanda blog, “Lini makes their traditional dry style of Lambrusco the same way they always have, including the use of hand riddling, to create wines that are fresh and food-friendly with brilliant fruit flavors.”

Wanda recently featured an interview with Alicia on her Instagram: Check it out here.

Wanda is one of the wine world’s rising stars and leading voices and we couldn’t be more thrilled that she took time out to connect with Alicia and taste a few wines together. See the post for her tasting notes and the interview.

Thank you, Wanda! You are awesome!

Image via Wanda’s Facebook.