Vinitaly, The Final Day Brandy Falconer Sunday night there was an earthquake.  When it happened, I was surprised to feel it, and concerned because the apartment where I am staying…

Day 4 at Vinitaly Brandy Falconer Despite my original intentions to take the day off from the expo, today was my “Winnie the Pooh-style” day of wandering, visiting and enjoying…

Vinitaly 2009 Day 3:  Giro d’Italia Brandy Falconer In preparation for the Giro d’Italia cycling race, which starts May 9 with or without Lance Armstrong, I thought I would take…

Day 2 at Vinitaly – The Day of Good Fortune Brandy Falconer My four-leaf clover brought me all kinds of luck today, that or the stars were aligned for this…

Vinitaly 2009 Starts: Live From Verona Brandy Falconer If Las Vegas is the “adult’s Disneyland”, then Vinitaly is the wine-lover’s Disneyland.  With cleverly created stands that look more like enticing…

2007 Maxine-Francois Laurent “Soif Il Fait” Cotes-du-Rhone, France. This ripe and perfumed Cotes-du-Rhone shows amazing Syrah intensity and depth with lush textures and full body. The nose is lofty with…

Verona at Last Brandy Falconer This is where the adventure starts. (Verona, Veneto) I leave the comfort of my friends’ guesthouse (in Lucca, Tuscany) a little bit hazy from the…

VinItaly Preview: Lucca, Let’s Party, Today is My Birthday! Brandy Falconer If I were 8 today instead of..However old I am (don’t ask).. The theme for my birthday party would…

Rainy Days in (Lucca) Italy Brandy Falconer Saturday was a lazy day thanks to the (rainy) weather.  However the Formula 1 qualifying in Australia over breakfast had such exciting results…

I was one of many that happily poured into the “Pinot Paradise” tasting put on by the Santa Cruz Mountains Growers and Vintners Association. The tasting was to showcase the…