Nonino, 120 years of innovation

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Remaining true to artisanal methods of production, the family has fundamentally transformed Grappa and made it a symbol of the Italian art of living.

The first thing you notice when meeting the Nonino family is its incredible energy.  An energy so powerful that it feels like being drawn into a whirlwind.  After a few minutes, you realize that it is not energy that animates them, it is ideas.  Ideas so advanced that you cannot help feeling a step behind, always trying to catch up.  People will tell you that meeting the Noninos changed their lives forever, that encountering this legendary family is a transformational experience.

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Taste Like A Pro, a framework

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This column is the last of twenty-three installments which aim to shed light on the various factors that influence the style and quality of a wine. With this issue, I want to share my approach to tasting wine and hopefully embolden wine lovers and students, even those pursuing the Master of Wine title, to approach the task with confidence and a sure strategy.

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Taste Like A Pro, The Grape...

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It may seem obvious that without grapes there would not be wine.  Yet, the issue is a little bit more complicated than it appears at first. When it comes to influencing style and quality, the factors to consider go beyond simply color and aromatic profile.  As we have seen, to define the style of the wine, we should consider its weight, structure, texture, aromatics, and its specific character induced by winemaking or market position.  To define quality, we should consider the wine complexity, its balance of components and the length of its finish. And so, how does the humble grape influence both?

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