If you are like me, opening a new bottle of wine is akin to going on an adventure. Not really knowing what to expect at the outset, full of new discoveries at every corner and certainly eye-opening.

Today, 2 beautiful discoveries at ‪#‎VinitalyAcademy‬ in Verona... Montalbera L'Accento Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato 2013 & Donnafugata Kabir Moscato di Pantelleria 2013...

The Ruché, wonderfully perfumed w/ rose petals, lavender, raspberries & a touch of black cherries. Wonderfully deep & fresh on the nose. Supple w/ density & freshness, w/ velvety tannins & a long, delightfully balanced mid-palate. Surprisingly lively. Beautiful, fragrant & peppery finish w/ an intensity, providing muchg much much pleasure!

The Kabir, a total surprise. Frankly, I am in LOVE w/ its big sister "Ben Ryé" & so always gleaned over & dismissed Kabir, a Moscato di Pantelleria, too easily until now. Never will I commit this foolishness again... The wine, intensely perfumed & complex, releasing gorgeous aromas of citrus, blossom, dried orange skin, rose petals & exotic spices. Sweet but beautifully balanced & charmingly teasing on the palate. The finish, lively, ethereal & crisp lasting long enough to dream a little bit... A great surprise!