Ethan Fixell
Ethan Fixell
 

Ethan Fixell

 
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      Writer  •  Educator  •  Performer

 
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4 Must-Visit Winemakers of Barolo and Barbaresco
4 Must-Visit Winemakers of Barolo and Barbaresco

AS PUBLISHED BY FOOD & WINE

Fickle Nebbiolo is perfect for expressing subtle differences in terroir—especially in the Langhe subregion of Piedmont, where soils and microclimates can differ greatly within a few footsteps. In fact, as in Burgundy, a single Langhe plot might be divided up amongst multiple vineyards. Thus, growing the grape in Barbaresco or Barolo will produce very different wines—even though the two famous DOCGs are only fifteen miles apart.

These four wineries not only represent some of the best Piedmont has to offer—they also help illustrate the greatest differences between Barolo and Barbaresco, and the range of unique qualities one can find within each.

Five Wine Regions Producing America’s Finest Ciders
Five Wine Regions Producing America’s Finest Ciders

AS PUBLISHED BY WINE ENTHUSIAST

As it happens, some of the most noteworthy cider in the United States comes from its greatest wine regions.

“Not every plot of land in a famous wine-growing appellation is perfectly suited to grapes,” says Dustin Wilson, master sommelier and co-founder of Verve Wine. “Often, you’ll see other types of plants in areas that might not be as well-suited for quality grape growing.”

Here are five cider makers from the nation’s greatest wine regions.

Everything You Need To Know About Fancy Cider
Everything You Need To Know About Fancy Cider

AS PUBLISHED BY THRILLIST

Cider is seemingly everywhere these days, going well beyond its antiquated status as a tap option for the gluten-averse or people who say they don't like beer. Still, most people don’t think to order cider when out for a nice dinner, and that's a shame. Good ol’ fermented apple juice can be as complex (and expensive) as any craft beer or fine wine. The best stuff -- often “heritage cider,” made with cider-specific heirloom apple varieties and produced with traditional winemaking techniques -- is incredibly nuanced, with plenty of regional differences and unique flavors to go around.

 
 

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On the last brewery stop of our @Japanese_CraftBeer tour, we had the privilege of enjoying #HitachinoNest Nipponia Ale straight from the fermenter. The delicious brew is made with the local malt #KanekoGolden, which packs more protein and nitrogen than the typical six-row or two-row barley. The result is a rich, extra flavorful beer (strong, too, at 8% ABV) that is rounded out by native, lemony #SorachiAce hops. The night after tasting this delicious brew in the works, I got to try a wine barrel aged version, which practically blew my damned mind (see pic no. 2). With a blend of woody, fruity, acidic flavors, the sour beer has the most complexity of any I'd tasted in Japan, and reminded me why Hitachino Nest is so damned popular: no one in Japan does it better. . #Nipponia #Hitachino #HitachinoNestBeer #JapaneseBeer #JapaneseBeers #TokyoBeer #TokyoBar #JapaneseCraftBeer #JapaneseBrewery #BarrelAgedBeer #SourBeer #SourAle #LargeFormatBeer #SorachiAceHops #Fermenter #BeerTasting
One of my favorite flavors in Japan comes from bonito flakes -- the cheaper version of "Katsuobushi" (made from dried, fermented, smoked skipjack tuna rather than bonito). Bonito flakes can be found in all types of dishes -- udon or ramen bowls, in particular -- but I've never seen it in a beverage until now. #YoHoBrewing produces this rad Sorry Umami IPA, brewed with dried bonito flakes for a subtly #umami finish. The flakes lend a kiss of salinity and sea flavor without making the beer fishy -- just enough to complement its hop profile and cut through the malt. Best of all: it's brewed and exported specifically for the U.S.! (Apparently they're not as adventurous drinkers as we...) . #UmamiIPA #UmamiBeer #IPA #BonitoFlakes #Bonito #BonitoFlake #JapanBeer #Japan #JapanEats #JapaneseEats #JapaneseCraftBeer #JapaneseBeer #Beer #CraftBeer #YonaYonaAle #ExoticBeer #DrinkJapan #VisitJapan
#WakuWakuBrewery is in #Ishikawa, Japan, the west coast prefecture known for its pure water (lots o' hot springs!) and fertile soil. Waku Waku (which --I'm sorry -- makes me think of Fozzy Bear every time) uses local grain grown on their very own farm -- a pretty remarkable undertaking for a small brewery. In particular, their #KoshihikariAle is produced with their own rice for a smooth, dry, clean, light ale -- perfect for pairing with sushi or sashimi. Pictured here, of course, is a bounty of germinating barley, soon to become malt (once it has been thoroughly dried) that will be used for the base of that rice-adjunct brew. . #RiceAle #JapaneseBeers #JapaneseCraftBeer #JapaneseBeer #MaltedBarley #Barley #TwoRowMalt #SixRowMalt #BeerMalt #Malting #Germination #Germinating #Koshihikari #WakuWaku #IshikawaJapan #Japan
#Sansho Ale is the first of many beers I've fallen in love with in Japan. The herbal brew from @IwateKuraBeer of #Sekinoichi -- a prominent sake brewer that's been at it in #Iwate for over 100 years -- is produced with a Japanese peppercorn called Sansho (scientifically known as Zanthoxylum piperitum -- NERRRRD!) for beautiful aromas of ginger, white pepper, and citrus. On the palate it's just as fresh, zippy, and inviting as the nose suggests. Best of all -- it's available in the U.S.! Highly recommend seeking out this unique and tasty @Japanese_CraftBeer. . #HerbBeer #JapaneseBeer #Japanese #Beer #JapanBeer #Peppercorn #Peppercorns #CraftBeer #JapaneseCraft #JapaneseCraftBeer #Beers #FreshBeer #Japan #BeerTasting #LocalBeer #VisitJapan #JapaneseBeers
Apparently someone wasn't satisfied with just one bottle -- Lucie stole my 2015 @MtBraveWines Merlot, a gorgeous wine produced exclusively from #MtVeeder fruit. Fortunately, I was able to wrestle it from her (I let her keep the other) to taste it for myself -- and it's jam-packed with plum, blueberry, and chocolate (or is it vanilla? Both, really...) notes with a rich, full body and complex finish. I'd first encountered winemaker Chris Carpenter's work a couple of years ago at a tasting for @CardinaleWinery -- one of the other esteemed #NapaValley wineries to which he lends his talents. And if there's one thing he does well, it's make wines that last. This one, like Lucie -- is still just a baby right now; I'd love to see what it's like in five, or even ten years. . #MtBrave #ChrisCarpenter #NapaWine #NapaWines #NapaValley #NapaValleyWine #NapaValleyWines #WineBaby #CuteBaby #CuteBabyGirls #NapaMerlot #MerlotDay #MerlotMonth #CaliforniaMerlot #MerlotWine #Merlot🍷

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