Sommelier Fabio Nistrio names world's best organic vineyards to visit
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Fabio Nistrio grew up in Italy and says wine has been a passion since before he was legally allowed to drink. His interest in organic viticulture started in childhood.
'My grandfather was an olive oil producer with a 100-acre (40ha) olive grove in Puglia. Organic farming was just a way of life – there was never any desire to use synthetic materials due to the warm climate in the region,' he says.
Sydney-based sommelier Fabio Nistrio.
The sommelier who is the head of organics at organic wine retailer FAB now travels the world seeking out winemakers who are having a positive impact on the land and vines they produce.
'During my travels, I realised the impact organic and biodynamic agriculture had on the vineyards. They were teeming with life, and you could sense this energy and character in the wines,' he says.
'Nature creates the perfect wine and food pairings.'
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SUBSCRIBER ONLY
Here he shares his favourite organic vineyard locations around the world:
Montalcino, Italy
At Il Paradiso di Frassina vineyard in Montalcino in Italy they use speakers raised on poles to play the musical harmonies of Mozart to study the benefits of sound waves on the vines. It's beautiful and the winemaker says the vines are incredibly responsive to the sound, with the vibrations of the music detracting predator species. The wines here are clearly loving the sounds because they are spectacular.
Il Paradiso di Frassina winery in Montalcino, where Mozart is played to the vines.
Linsengericht-Altenhasslau, Germany
Paradieschen is a small, members-only farm north of Stuttgart, in Germany, where you can join to receive a notification of when your selection of fruit and vegetables is ready to harvest. Non-members can stop by to enjoy the small bistro and general store on site in Linsengericht-Altenhasslau.
Here, I tasted many organic wines from local producers. One that I loved was Gustavshof Wines, made by winemaker Andreas Roll. The wines are exotic, textural, and exciting.
Gustavshof Wines is one of the standout German organic winemakers.
Marsannay, France
My favourite place in France for organic wine is Marsannay in the famous Côte de Nuits region. This is the home of Domaine Huguenot, an outstanding Burgundy producer with a winemaking and viticulture history that dates back to 1800. While the expansive, organically farmed vineyards are impressive, a walk through the cavernous barrel rooms blew me away. The wines work beautifully with regional dishes such as duck casserole or French onion soup.
Côte de Nuits in France's Burgundy wine region.
Hokkaido, Japan
Domaine Takahiko in Hokkaido, Japan, is widely known as the finest winemaker in Japan. These wines are made by Takahiko Soga from a small vineyard located on a hill and surrounded by forest above the Yoichi River. The pinot noir wines are unconventionally fermented in neutral tanks made of resin. His 2021 Nana-Tsu-Mori pinot noir was made extra memorable when paired with unagi don or roast marinated eel brushed with soy sauce served on rice. It was magic.
Autumn colours at Domaine Takahiko in Hokkaido, known for its pinot noir.
HIGHS AND LOWS
Daylight robbery
I was in Paris, the most beautiful place in the world, when a pickpocket took my wallet. It was a bit of a hustle to recover all my documents, but luckily I was in a European country, so it was manageable. But it didn't make for a memorable visit to one of my favourite cities.
Nostalgic nurturing
My best travel experience was a recent trip to the Amalfi Coast. It holds a lot of sentimental value to me and my family. My grandmother was married here, and growing up there was always Neapolitan music playing with references to the vibrant aspects of Sorrento.
Originally published as Sommelier Fabio Nistrio names world's best organic vineyards to visit
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Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Fabio Nistrio grew up in Italy and says wine has been a passion since before he was legally allowed to drink. His interest in organic viticulture started in childhood. 'My grandfather was an olive oil producer with a 100-acre (40ha) olive grove in Puglia. Organic farming was just a way of life – there was never any desire to use synthetic materials due to the warm climate in the region,' he says. Sydney-based sommelier Fabio Nistrio. The sommelier who is the head of organics at organic wine retailer FAB now travels the world seeking out winemakers who are having a positive impact on the land and vines they produce. 'During my travels, I realised the impact organic and biodynamic agriculture had on the vineyards. They were teeming with life, and you could sense this energy and character in the wines,' he says. 'Nature creates the perfect wine and food pairings.' X SUBSCRIBER ONLY Here he shares his favourite organic vineyard locations around the world: Montalcino, Italy At Il Paradiso di Frassina vineyard in Montalcino in Italy they use speakers raised on poles to play the musical harmonies of Mozart to study the benefits of sound waves on the vines. It's beautiful and the winemaker says the vines are incredibly responsive to the sound, with the vibrations of the music detracting predator species. The wines here are clearly loving the sounds because they are spectacular. Il Paradiso di Frassina winery in Montalcino, where Mozart is played to the vines. Linsengericht-Altenhasslau, Germany Paradieschen is a small, members-only farm north of Stuttgart, in Germany, where you can join to receive a notification of when your selection of fruit and vegetables is ready to harvest. Non-members can stop by to enjoy the small bistro and general store on site in Linsengericht-Altenhasslau. Here, I tasted many organic wines from local producers. One that I loved was Gustavshof Wines, made by winemaker Andreas Roll. The wines are exotic, textural, and exciting. Gustavshof Wines is one of the standout German organic winemakers. Marsannay, France My favourite place in France for organic wine is Marsannay in the famous Côte de Nuits region. This is the home of Domaine Huguenot, an outstanding Burgundy producer with a winemaking and viticulture history that dates back to 1800. While the expansive, organically farmed vineyards are impressive, a walk through the cavernous barrel rooms blew me away. The wines work beautifully with regional dishes such as duck casserole or French onion soup. Côte de Nuits in France's Burgundy wine region. Hokkaido, Japan Domaine Takahiko in Hokkaido, Japan, is widely known as the finest winemaker in Japan. These wines are made by Takahiko Soga from a small vineyard located on a hill and surrounded by forest above the Yoichi River. The pinot noir wines are unconventionally fermented in neutral tanks made of resin. His 2021 Nana-Tsu-Mori pinot noir was made extra memorable when paired with unagi don or roast marinated eel brushed with soy sauce served on rice. It was magic. Autumn colours at Domaine Takahiko in Hokkaido, known for its pinot noir. HIGHS AND LOWS Daylight robbery I was in Paris, the most beautiful place in the world, when a pickpocket took my wallet. It was a bit of a hustle to recover all my documents, but luckily I was in a European country, so it was manageable. But it didn't make for a memorable visit to one of my favourite cities. Nostalgic nurturing My best travel experience was a recent trip to the Amalfi Coast. It holds a lot of sentimental value to me and my family. My grandmother was married here, and growing up there was always Neapolitan music playing with references to the vibrant aspects of Sorrento. Originally published as Sommelier Fabio Nistrio names world's best organic vineyards to visit
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Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Fabio Nistrio grew up in Italy and says wine has been a passion since before he was legally allowed to drink. His interest in organic viticulture started in childhood. 'My grandfather was an olive oil producer with a 100-acre (40ha) olive grove in Puglia. Organic farming was just a way of life – there was never any desire to use synthetic materials due to the warm climate in the region,' he says. Sydney-based sommelier Fabio Nistrio. The sommelier who is the head of organics at organic wine retailer FAB now travels the world seeking out winemakers who are having a positive impact on the land and vines they produce. 'During my travels, I realised the impact organic and biodynamic agriculture had on the vineyards. They were teeming with life, and you could sense this energy and character in the wines,' he says. 'Nature creates the perfect wine and food pairings.' Here he shares his favourite organic vineyard locations around the world: Montalcino, Italy At Il Paradiso di Frassina vineyard in Montalcino in Italy they use speakers raised on poles to play the musical harmonies of Mozart to study the benefits of sound waves on the vines. It's beautiful and the winemaker says the vines are incredibly responsive to the sound, with the vibrations of the music detracting predator species. The wines here are clearly loving the sounds because they are spectacular. Il Paradiso di Frassina winery in Montalcino, where Mozart is played to the vines. Linsengericht-Altenhasslau, Germany Paradieschen is a small, members-only farm north of Stuttgart, in Germany, where you can join to receive a notification of when your selection of fruit and vegetables is ready to harvest. Non-members can stop by to enjoy the small bistro and general store on site in Linsengericht-Altenhasslau. Here, I tasted many organic wines from local producers. One that I loved was Gustavshof Wines, made by winemaker Andreas Roll. The wines are exotic, textural, and exciting. Gustavshof Wines is one of the standout German organic winemakers. Marsannay, France My favourite place in France for organic wine is Marsannay in the famous Côte de Nuits region. This is the home of Domaine Huguenot, an outstanding Burgundy producer with a winemaking and viticulture history that dates back to 1800. While the expansive, organically farmed vineyards are impressive, a walk through the cavernous barrel rooms blew me away. The wines work beautifully with regional dishes such as duck casserole or French onion soup. Côte de Nuits in France's Burgundy wine region. Hokkaido, Japan Domaine Takahiko in Hokkaido, Japan, is widely known as the finest winemaker in Japan. These wines are made by Takahiko Soga from a small vineyard located on a hill and surrounded by forest above the Yoichi River. The pinot noir wines are unconventionally fermented in neutral tanks made of resin. His 2021 Nana-Tsu-Mori pinot noir was made extra memorable when paired with unagi don or roast marinated eel brushed with soy sauce served on rice. It was magic. Autumn colours at Domaine Takahiko in Hokkaido, known for its pinot noir. HIGHS AND LOWS Daylight robbery I was in Paris, the most beautiful place in the world, when a pickpocket took my wallet. It was a bit of a hustle to recover all my documents, but luckily I was in a European country, so it was manageable. But it didn't make for a memorable visit to one of my favourite cities. Nostalgic nurturing My best travel experience was a recent trip to the Amalfi Coast. It holds a lot of sentimental value to me and my family. My grandmother was married here, and growing up there was always Neapolitan music playing with references to the vibrant aspects of Sorrento. Originally published as Sommelier Fabio Nistrio names world's best organic vineyards to visit
