Robert V. Camuto

Praise for Palmento

An Italian-American writer embeds himself in Sicilian wine trade for a year

"Camuto takes an intimate journey through vineyards from Marsala to Corleone and up the slopes of Mt. Etna on the island that is said to boast as many as 4,000 grape varieties. Sleeping in rustic agriturismo lodgings and enjoying foods from the nearby farms—bright green pistachios, plump olives, cassata cake filled with sheep’s-milk ricotta—the author extracts illuminating insights from both seasoned and novice winemakers, whose methodologies range from staunchly traditional to trail-blazingly controversial, revealing vivid familial lore, historical tragedies and triumphs, technical challenges in the present and innovative plans for the future of their enterprises. Whether chatting in cavernous vat rooms filled with massive clay amphorae, the back booth of a 19th-century focacceria now under anti-mafia protection or amid craggy branches on terraced vineyards, Camuto gleans illuminating nuggets of wisdom, as when third-generation winemaker Giuseppe Tasca sums up his family's ethos: “My grandfather understood that you make wine in the vineyard…not in the winery.” Though other books offer in-depth portraits of Sicilian winemakers and their product—including Kate Singleton’s Wines of Sicily (2004) and Carol Gambi’s photographic Journey Among the Great Wines of Sicily (2008)—by coexisting with his subject through four contiguous seasons, Camuto captures an intimate family album that eloquently details the idiosyncrasies, charisma and drive of Sicilian winemakers today.

The author digs deep into the rich artisanal soil of Sicily's wine culture, unearthing centuries-old lineage and lore while closely studying villages, vintages, vintners, vats and a few intriguing vendettas." --Kirkus Review

Published reviews of Corkscrewed

"Corkscrewed] inspires thirst and curiosity. . . . Mr. Camuto’s adventures will introduce readers to little-known French wines . . . and to the passionate individuals that persevere despite the absence of monetary reward. These may not be the wines that earn one spurs as a connoisseur, but they certainly may produce a worthy sense of humility at how much there is to learn. I can’t wait to drink them.” - Eric Asimov, New York Times,   Read full review 

“Camuto’s lighthearted book is a particularly enjoyable read that chronicles the author’s journey through French wine country in a scrumptious collection of stories about wine, food, vineyards, and winemakers.” Beth Hiser,  Bloomsbury Review

"Mr. Camuto’s writing is precise, entertaining and compelling enough that it should appeal to audiences beyond the normally narrow scope reached by wine books. It reads very much like a collection of short stories that come together to form what is essentially a non-fiction novel. It travels a road that I’d very much like to follow. The individual stories alone are very much worth the price of admission. The fact that they come together to form a much greater whole makes Corkscrewed a rare gem in the field of wine literature and a highly recommended read."  -David McDuff, McDuff's Food & Wine Trail  Read full review .

"[Camuto's]  enthusiasm for underdog grapes, regions and winemakers makes him a pleasant guide along the back roads of France." -Thomas Matthews, Wine Spectator   Read full review

"A good read..." Jancis Robinson Read full review

"Like a collection of love letters to wine, each chapter showcases a winemaker who has carved out a niche for himself amid the encroaching corporate tide, sprawl, or commercialization. In a world of oak chips and cost-benefit analysis, these are the winemakers who must endure, even in beloved France." -Maggie Dutton, Seattle Weekly Read full review

"An outstanding work of wine writing." -Richard Randall, The Wine Connoisseur (Wine-The-World-In-Focus)  Read full review