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Andronaco – The Magazine – Anyone who follows my page regularly knows that wine plays a big role in my life. Don't get me wrong – it's more about my website and the articles I write for you 😉 I simply love drinking wine and have already participated in a few WineWalks and wine tastings. Naturally, my interest in wine is constantly growing. I'll soon be attending a wine and cheese seminar (…I'll report back…) and hopefully I'll come home a little wiser. But let's be honest… anyone who isn't an expert on wine but is still interested in good wines quickly comes to the conclusion: "No one can possibly know anything about it." Questions like "What makes a good wine that I can actually buy and take home?" or "How do I even recognize a good wine?" remain unanswered, and often you're even overwhelmed when it comes to where you can actually buy good wine.
The wine industry seems difficult to navigate for non-experts and beginners – understandably so, in my opinion. Nevertheless, I try to shed light on the subject with my reports and share some of my knowledge with you. And so it is again today. There's a somewhat exaggerated saying, "A good wine is one that tastes good!" While I agree to some extent, there are, of course, much better criteria that tell us "good wine or cheap plonk." The best way to gather this information is naturally at trade fairs, events, and tastings, but also on select websites and magazines. I tested one and took a closer look at what makes a good wine.
The magazine comes from Andronaco, a leading Italian supplier of specialties such as balsamic vinegar, olive oil, grappa, espresso, sauces, spreads, pasta, and more. Everything an (Italian) heart could desire. And, of course, wine too. Andronaco offers everything from white and red wines to rosé and dessert wines, all the way to Prosecco and seasonal wines. It's best to take a look around their online shop. My focus today is on their newly launched... Online magazine from Andronaco, or rather, the topic of wine. The magazine deals, among other things, with precisely the topics I listed above. Good wine – yes or no?
But what exactly makes a good wine, and how can you recognize one – even without expert knowledge? Standing lost in front of a seemingly endless wine shelf doesn't have to be your experience. From now on, you'll know: the price, the bottle, the closure, and the label are all crucial. On average, we Germans spend just €2.50 on a bottle of wine, and many aren't even willing to spend more than €3. That doesn't mean you have to buy the worst swill, because even inexpensive wines can be good (for example, a Salice Salentino or a Primitivo). Online shopHowever, according to Andronaco, wines only start to become interesting from €3 upwards. Naturally, the quality of the wine increases with the price. Nevertheless, a €10 wine isn't necessarily worse than a bottle costing €30 or more. Price alone isn't the deciding factor, but it shouldn't be completely ignored.
It's also important to remember: the appearance of a wine, the color or pattern of the bottle, can never be used to judge its quality. The bottle design might be tempting, but it should never be the deciding factor. I have to admit: I've often stood in front of the wine shelf in the supermarket or delicatessen and ultimately chosen wine A over B because the bottle appealed to me more. I promise I won't do that anymore. 😉
The idea that wines with screw caps are always bad and corks signify a good wine – this rule hasn't been true for a long time. Especially for those who prefer white wines: there are some excellent examples – and they do have screw caps. While the old cork rule still holds true for red wines, you shouldn't necessarily rely on it. I've often had a headache the next day after drinking a corked red wine. So don't be immediately put off if you're holding a bottle with a screw cap.
Turn the label over and take a closer look. More isn't always better, and sometimes you can be a bit overwhelmed with information if you examine a wine label more closely. Perhaps not entirely relevant to my job and my website ;-), but there's the old saying: "He who writes a lot has a lot to hide!" Of course, that doesn't have to be true, but it's often said to be misleading – especially with wine – and can, for example, mask a lack of quality. However, if a bottle of Italian wine bears the DOC or DOCG label, you can be fairly certain you're holding a good wine. (DOC: Denominazione di origine controllata – a controlled designation of origin for Italian wines | DOCG: Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita – a controlled and guaranteed designation of origin). So, if you're looking for a wine completely at random: DOC/DOCG is a good starting point. To receive a DOCG designation, a wine must have carried the DOC label for at least five consecutive years. Since 2009, the DOP seal has replaced the two aforementioned seals and designations, but it is still very rarely used on Italian wines, as the old designations are still legally valid. If a label says "Riserva" (or "Superiore" for Italian wines), you are holding a DOC or DOCG wine that has been aged for a longer period, often in wooden barrels. These are also good choices.
Of course, these are all just decision-making aids. However, they do make buying wine easier for me. As I mentioned at the beginning, I've been to many events and tastings and have therefore gained a bit more knowledge about good wines. Nevertheless, certain "cheat sheets" are always helpful when you're stuck. So... that was a topic covered in Andronaco's magazine. Take a look at their website. There you'll find Italian recipes for things like swordfish, asparagus risotto, or even raisin and corn cakes. You can also read about Italian classics such as ciabatta, different types of Italian sausage, pizza, and pasta. There's also information about the Italian way of life, great Italian restaurants, and currently a cooking show with Vincenzo Andronaco and Giovanni Zarrella. I definitely check it out more often since I discovered the magazine.
Andronaco, the name of the Italian online supermarket and its eponymous magazine, is, incidentally, named after its founder, Vincenzo Andronaco. He has lived in Germany for over 30 years. The strong sense of family, which is so highly valued in Italy, is palpable at Andronaco. This is something their customers, suppliers, and employees all feel. They work with great passion, teamwork, and joy, and of course, the customer—that's us—senses it. 😉 I'm going to have a look around the online shop now. I've already finished the magazine. 🙂 By the way, you can also buy vouchers, gift baskets, and curated gift sets online. Oh, and... I don't usually try to lure Munich residents away from home, but if you're ever in my second favorite city, Hamburg, you should definitely check out the one of the same name. bistro Visit us in person. Here you can get a firsthand impression of the product range and experience the warm hospitality.
Tested: Andronaco (online supermarket, bistro, magazine)
Address: Halskestraße 48, 22113 Hamburg
Websites
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