In this page we find the wine picks that Antonio Mauriello recommends, as well as his suggestions for pairing them with food. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to send him an email.
July 2007 LCBO Vintages Release
Producer: Sandrone
Wine name: Dolcetto d'Alba
Grapes: Dolcetto
Appellation: DOC Dolcetto d'Alba
Region: Piemonte
Year: 2005
Cost: $20.95
Release date: July 7, 2007
LCBO#: 026245
July 7, 2007, Vintages Release features a Dolcetto d'Alba, one of the 7 (yes, seven!) appellations of the grape Dolcetto in South Piemonte.
Locals there, inheriting their grandfather’s traditions, grow Dolcetto in their backyard. They make it into wine in their 'cantina' and serve it proudly to you, welcomed guest, as their best 'Vino della Casa', in the best carafe they have!
June 2007 LCBO Vintages Release
Producer: Cavalier Dario, Bersano
Wine name: Freisa d'Asti
Grapes: Freisa
Appellation: DOC Freisa d'Asti
Region: Piemonte
Year: 2005
Cost: $14.95
Release date: June 9, 2007
LCBO#: 030841
A sweet unknown delicacy for the summer. As you probably know, when people ask me about the wine I prefer, I answer: 'the one I don't know'. I wonder if there is some reader out there who thinks like me! If there is, and if you have never tried a Freisa before, you must try this peculiar wine! Freisa is a lovely grape variety, one of the most ancient native grapes of Piemonte. If you travel to the picturesque areas of Piemonte, it's interesting to discover how different producers disagree over the real value of this grape. Some think that it is a great one and it should never be blended, while other only consider Freisa suitable for blending with other varieties.
Personally, I have always enjoyed this wine, in all its styles: dry (secco), semi-sweet (amabile), sweet (dolce). However, the sweet version is my favourite in the summer, a time when I eat a lot of fresh fruit. Besides, I love that tiny, shy bitterness on the finish, which balances the residual sugars (sweetness).
Serve it between 12 and 15 degrees (Celsius) in a large cup-style glass, with a fruit custard, panna cotta, zabaione or simply with a fresh fruit salad.
The characteristic, aromatic notes of this bubbly, red, sexy wine will inebriate you and your soul and get them going for the rest of the summer!
April 2007 LCBO Vintages Release
Producer: Dino Illuminati
Wine name: Zanna
Grapes: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
Appellation: DOCG Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Colline Teramane
Region: Abruzzo
Year: 2003
Cost: $29.95
Release date: April 1, 2007
LCBO#: 23242
Wine lovers of the region of Abruzzo have just recently been rewarded with the first DOCG, starting from the vintage year 2003. The DOCG appellation, ''Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita'' is the highest appellation of origin, guaranteed by the government. The exact name for this appellation is: DOCG Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Colline Teramane (Hills of Teramo) and the rule dictates the use of almost all red grape Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (it can be blended max 10% with Sangiovese). Careful: DO NOT confuse this grape with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano and its wine (Vino Nobile di Montepulciano) which uses the grape Sangiovese!
I tasted this nice Zanna at Vinitaly March 30, 2007 and I now understand why the regional match with this wine is 'Arrosticini'! Let's see if I can explain this in a few words...
It is hard to explain a regional Italian wine and food match.... you should try it for real!
'Arrosticini' is, simply, small lamb bocconcini put in skewers and roasted on coils.
I personally suggest the use of fresh mint leaves, eggplant cubes and bell pepper inserted between the lamb pieces. A glass of this smooth, fruity Montepulciano will contrast the burnt flavour from the roasting. Don't forget a generous amount of extra-virgin olive oil at the end of the cooking. This touch will let you better enjoy the tannins in the wine.
A gas barbecue, if you have no alternatives, will do it. But even better if you are surrounded by the Abruzzo's mountains!
March 2007 LCBO Vintages Release
Producer: Michele Castellani (now his son, Sergio)
Wine name: Amarone della Valpolicella
Grapes: Corvina veronese 62%, Rondinella 20%, Molinara 5% + 13% of other native allowed varieties
Appellation: DOC Valpolicella Classico
Region: Veneto
Year: 2001
Cost: $36.95
Release date: Mar 03, 2007
LCBO#: 739979
I went to find Sergio Castellani in April 2006 during my visit to Valpolicella right before the Vinitaly show in Verona. He now runs the winery founded by his father Michele right after the Second World War.
His smile welcomed me into his reign. We visited his production area and cellars, and he patiently explained to me all the secrets behind the renowned 'Trilogy': Ripasso, Amarone and Recioto, the three famous types of wines made in Valpolicella.
What I admire most of this man is his constant desire to give his followers quality and consistency. As matter of fact, he decided not to produce ANY of his wines in 2002! The year was not up to his expectations to keep quality and consistency in his products, so he took this drastic and painful decision!
When I tasted his Amarone 2001, he told me that the maceration with the skins lasts 40 days! No wonder such concentration of colours and flavours! It then ages for a couple of years in both new small oak barrels and big casks.
As I always point out, Amarone is a wine to drink by itself, with no food! A good example of 'Vino da Meditazione'!
February 2007, LCBO Vintages Release
I am always passionate about coastal Southern Italy. That warm climate, the salty breeze, the smell of fish cuisine all around. This month I want to feature a wine from Puglia, because when I tasted it, it made me "travel" over there. Lots of red fruit flavours in this wine and that kind of taste that I call salty and savory. Mouth watering!
The wine-making technique used for this wine are maceration with skins for 30 - 45 days and fermentation of the must at controlled temperature. It then ages 6 months in French and Russian barrels and 6 months in bottles before getting released to the market. The alcoholic strength: 14,00%
This wine will definitely age a few more years, however, I suggest you to enjoy NOW with the following food: salmon in an Italian tomato sauce! Have you ever tried it? I would improvise this recipe like: prepare the unusual base of onion and pine nuts with olive oil. When the onion starts to change colour throw in the Salmon in large pieces with fresh tomatoes (diced) and cook it for just a few minutes to leave intact the taste of the tomato. Add to the pan the impeccable final touches: capers, olives, salt, a touch of sugar and lots of herbs of your choice (I like rosemary and oregano) so you make a dish that has earthy flavours to best match the wine. Don't forget lots of olive oil!
Producer: Apollonio (province of Lecce)
Wine name: Copertino Rosso
Grapes: 70% Negroamaro
15% Montepulciano, 5% Malvasia nera di Lecce, 5% Malvasia nera di Brindisi, 5%Sangiovese
Appellation: DOC Copertino
Region: Puglia
Year: 2001
Cost: $15.75
Release date: Feb 03, 2007
LCBO#: 023226
Pierluigi is a native of Tuscany, he emigrated to Canada where he ran a successful business, then went back to Tuscany and opened a wine estate!
Castelnuovo Berardenga is one of the villages geographically located in the DOCG of Chianti Classico. This wine has more percentage of Merlot (20%) than what it is allowed by the law of Chianti Classico DOCG (max 15% of red grapes other than Sangiovese and Canaiolo), therefore its appellation is IGT.
Try a wild boar dish with this wine... well... even if you cannot find the wild wild wild one!... This is what the locals in those regions hunt and enjoy. You can have it stewed (lots of jus) or on home made eggs fettuccine.
Producer: Pierluigi Tolaini located in the town of Castelnuovo Berardenga (province of Siena)
Wine name: Al Passo
Grapes: Sangiovese 80% Merlot 20%
Appellation: IGT Toscana
Region: Toscana
Year: 2003
Cost: $20.95
Release date: Jan 20, 2007
LCBO#: 685164
Teroldego Rotaliano, a 'wild' native Italian grape, flag of Trentino's viticulture, finds its best terroir in this Alpine North Eastern region.
While the name Rotaliano derives from ''Campo Rotaliano'', a well known plateau in the middle of the Alps, Teroldego is of mysterious origins. It may originate from ''Tiroler Gold'', where Tirol is in fact this historical territory split between Austria and Trentino-Alto Adige
Elisabetta Foradori is one of the most daring winemakers in Italy. With only a few hectares of land, in 1985, she decided to go against the fashionable grapes Cabernet and Merlot, that were being planted all over in these regions, and she focused completely on the native Teroldego Rotaliano. She adopts the expensive practice of lowering the yields drastically in the vineyard to obtain power and structure in her final products.
This wine is perfect with pappardelle ai funghi porcini. Pappardelle is a wider version of fettuccine. Make sure to leave some moisture when you cook those mushrooms to add a feeling of creaminess to the dish!
Producer: Elisabetta Foradori
Wine name: Foradori
Grapes: Teroldego Rotaliano 100%
Appellation: DOC Teroldego Rotaliano
Region: Trentino
Year: 2004
Cost: $26.95
Release date: Jan 06, 2007
LCBO#: 712679
December 9, 2006 LCBO Vintages Release
Discover the small town of Cocconato, the wine heart of Piemonte
Last time I visited Cocconato, I really left a piece of heart in those tiny narrow romantic stony streets. For sure, one of the most incredible places you can ever visit in Italy is this small tiny red-roof village on the top of a hill surrounded by vineyards! During our last October wine tour we stayed 3 days in Cocconato and the detail that mostly caught our ‘smelling sense’ was the wet air full of scents of truffle and porcini mushrooms, the seasonal treasures of that month. I always have a big smile when I see some wine from there sold here in Ontario. Cocconato is in the heart of the production area of Barbera grape near Asti (the DOC sub-region is called Monferrato), however, this month, Vintages is releasing a Moscato DOCG from 100% Moscato grape.
Easy drinking, low alcohol (5,5%) and of superb quality, try this delicate sweet fizzy (I am more tempted to say ‘effervescent’) white wine with fresh fruit pie, fruit salad or just … ‘by itself’. Careful…. not ‘by yourself’… Yes, always make sure you share it with your loved one!
Producer: Bava
Wine name: Moscato d’Asti
Grapes: Moscato 100%
Denomination: DOCG Moscato d’Asti
Region: Piemonte
Vintage year: 2005
Cost: $15.95
Release date: Dec 9, 2006
LCBO#: 712547
PS…I actually dare you to pair this Moscato with a piece of white milk chocolate… let me know!
antonio@divinowinestudio.com
Nov 1, 2006
Food? What food?
A participant defined our last wine and culinary tours in Italy ‘drinking and eating’ trips….!
Now that I am back, I am slowing realizing how true that was! Let’s only say that I have to do some exercise….!
Ok, let’s move from the excitement of the Italian tours to our Vintage release. In the month of November a few Italians are released. On November 11 in Italy we celebrate San Martino which was a generous Saint. Legend says that Martino, to escape from his enemies, one day hid himself inside a barrel at a farmer’s cellar. The prosecutors reached the cellar, and, since they could not find him, started to drink the young wine inside the barrels. They ended up drunk and Martino could escape. From then, the proverb: "A San Martino ogni mosto e’ vino!" (For San Martino – Nov 11 – every must is wine).
Word to study: ‘MUST’= the mixture of crushed grapes before fermentation.
Producer: Azienda Agricola Colli Irpini - Montesolae
Wine name: Fiano di Avellino
Year: 2005
Grapes: Fiano di Avellino 100%
Denomination: DOCG
Region: Campania
Cost: $16.95
Release date: Nov 11, 2006
LCBO#: 013425
This ‘Azienda Agricola’ (Agriculture Estate) named ‘Colli Irpini’ from the hills of Irpinia near the city of Avellino, produces about 1 million bottles and it is an emerging reality in the region of Campania. The commercial brand ‘Montesolae’ is named after the ancient name of the village where the modern production facility is now located: ‘Monte Fulsulae’.
The native grape Fiano always presents nice flowery and mineral notes and its lovely acidity will always ‘smile at you’ in your glass. Even more if paired with a juicy clam spaghetti dish sautéed in white wine.
Another participant baptized me ‘Mr. Piemonte’. Well … what can I say? I really love Piemonte and every time I go, I discover something new and incredible that just fills my heart. This time I was amazed by the Autumn early morning mist in the Langhe Barolo and the incredible change of colours of the leaves of the vineyards! Dolcetto vine leaves turn yellow while the Barbera ones turn red…. What a spectacular view!
From the village of La Morra, here is a Dolcetto d’Alba, ready to drink, with gentle tannins, just for you, ‘Dolcetto lovers’. A young wine very food-friendly to be drank young and to pair with a creamy Porcini mushroom pappardelle (pappardelle = a type of pasta shaped like fettuccine but a lot larger).
A simpler match? Try Dolcetto with roasted chestnuts!
Producer: Aurelio Settimo
Wine name: Dolcetto d’Alba
Year: 2004
Grapes: Dolcetto 100%
Denomination: DOC
Region: Piemonte
Cost: $18.95
Release date: Nov 11, 2006
LCBO#: 640334
From the Vintages Release of August 5, 2006
The latest Vintage release brought me a few surprises!
1) First of all, I got a big smile on my face as soon as I received the catalogue, the very same one I feel like calling ‘magazine’ for the increasing amount of educational notes within its pages. Right on the cover page, a shot of a bottle of a Badia a Coltibuono produced in Chianti! Keep reading to know why….!
2) Then, inside the catalogue, I found one of my ‘loved ones’ that I'd never seen before in our stores: a rare Verdicchio di Matelica!
3) Finally, and I should say unfortunately, my big smile faded when I noticed that the Verdicchio di Matelica was listed in the catalogue under the region of Lombardia…. oh nooooo!
Let’s see why all of this made my mood go up and down today, and why all of this is so important to me and why it should be important to you too!
Buona giornata!
Antonio
If you have any questions or comments, please drop me a line at antonio@theculturalkitchen.com.
Badia a Coltibuono is a spectacular place located right in the heart of Chianti in Tuscany. It is a medieval Benedictine abbey. Its visit makes you forget all the many winding roads and turn-abouts that you have to do to reach it from the village of Gaiole in Chianti. When I visited last May, I was intrigued by the whole scenery: the monastery, the winery, the splendid gardens, and the guest bedrooms at the villa - available for the visitor to stay - were once the monk’s cells!
Badia a Coltibuono
Producer: Badia a Coltibuono
Wine name: Chianti Classico
Grapes: Sangiovese 90%, Canaiolo 10%
Denomination: DOCG Chianti Classico
Region: Toscana
Vintage year: 2004
Cost: $24.95
Release date: Aug 5, 2006
LCBO#: 295964
Verdicchio di Matelica! What a treat! This greenish (‘verdicchio’) fresh summer wine made 100% of Marche’s native grape Verdicchio, is often confused with Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Yes, same grape. Yes, same region. However it comes from Matelica, a small village on the other side of the mountain from Jesi. This means different soil, exposure to the ocean and a lot more. Usually, Matelica’s Verdicchio has more structure, colour and it is more prone to long aging than its relative from Jesi.
This shot is taken from the window of the pensione in Matelica where I spent some time in 2004 studying the differences between Jesi and Matelica terroirs for wine production. The Matelica one is not produced in big quantities and by many producers as the Jesi one and that’s why I am happy to see it in Ontario!!!
If you want to read more about my adventure and tasting in Matelica go to:
http://www.winelightenment.com/default.asp?L=articles&ID=E9C23525-AA96-B370-D5F0-921C7C42C4BE
Verdicchio di Matelica!
Producer: Enzo Mecella
Wine name: Casa Fosca
Grapes: Verdicchio 100% from one single vineyard!
Denomination: DOC Verdicchio di Matelica
Region: Marche
Vintage year: 2005
Cost: $14.95
Release date: Aug 5, 2006
LCBO#: 531723
In Italy is sold at Euro 9, so the price here is more than fair.
3) And to finish…. yes let’s talk about my sour expression…
For most of you it may be a small typo or an irrelevant error. But for me… well, it is not.
And besides, all my students may be confused by now… Verdicchio di Matelica is NOT a wine from Lombardy like the LCBO Vintage catalogue says! This is the second time in 2 months that there is a mistake in the region associated to a wine….
From the Vintages Release of June 24, 2006
Have you ever heard of Falanghina, Garganega and Arneis?
These are three white grape varieties that you find in next Vintage release of Saturday June 24, 2006. They are native of Italy. Over there, we like to call them “varieta’ autoctone”. Every Italian region, or even town wants to protect their own “autoctono” grape in order to save their precious heritage so threatened by globalization. I searched for the English translation of the word “autoctono”. I found “autochthon”.
So, allow me to say that they are autochthon varieties of Italy.
Here are the 3 white wines coming up next release, using these grapes. They are all quite intense in flavours. A pleasant refreshing summer drink!
In the wines #1 and #2, Falanghina (growing best on Central and South Italy’s volcanic soils) and Arneis (which likes sand and limestone of the Langhe and Roero in Piemonte), you will find particular intense mineral notes that I like to refer to as “saltiness”. Try them and, please, write me a note about it. I would just love to hear what you think!
According to my taste, grilled fish steaks (cooked rare, please!) are the best match with these grapes. Also try grilled octopus or squids with just a bit of olive oil and lemon. For the vegetarians, try buffalo mozzarella with tomato, avocado, a few crushed almonds and lots of extra virgin olive oil.
Rami’ Falanghina del Molise (WHITE)
Producer: Di Majo Norante
Wine name: Rami’
Vintage year: 2005
Grapes: Falanghina and Fiano
Denomination: DOC
Region: Molise
Cost: $13.95
Release date: June 24, 2006
LCBO# 531814
I am VERY HAPPY to see Molise wines in Canada! It is one of Italy’s emerging small regions and it is worth a try.
Roero Arneis Grimaldi (WHITE)
Producer: Grimaldi
Wine name: Vigna le Coste
Vintage year: 2005
Grapes: Arneis 100%
Denomination: DOC Roero
Region: Piemonte
Cost: $13.95
Release date: June 24, 2006
LCBO# 531699
Un-oaked, so you can enjoy the real varietal aroma of the grape!
Anselmi San Vincenzo (WHITE)
Producer: Anselmi
Wine name: San Vincenzo
Vintage year: 2005
Grapes: Garganega, Trebbiano and a hint of Chardonnay
Denomination: IGT Veneto
Region: Veneto
Cost: $15.95
Release date: June 24, 2006
LCBO# 948158
From the Vintages Release of May 27 and June 10, 2006
CA' BIANCA MOSCATO D'ASTI 2005
Producer: Ca’ Bianca (winery owned by: GIV-Gruppo Italiano Vini)
Wine name: Ca’ Bianca Moscato D’Asti
Grapes: Moscato 100%
Denomination: DOCG Moscato d’Asti
Region: Piemonte
Cost: $14.95
Release date: May 27, 2006
LCBO#: 651935
You can never go wrong with a Moscato! I like to drink it just by itself as a refreshing beverage at the beginning or end of a meal.
TOMMASI CHIARETTO 2005
DOC Bardolino Classico
Producer: Tommasi
Wine name: Chiaretto
Grapes: Corvina Veronese 60% - Rondinella 30% - Molinara 10%
Denomination: DOC Bardolino Classico
Region: Veneto
Cost: $11.95
Release date: June 10, 2006
LCBO#: 685057
An Italian Sommelier judges the color of a rosé wine by using this scale of colours in order of intensity:
Rosa tenue (the less intense pink – like the colour of the peach tree blossom)
Rosa cerasuolo (a medium intensity pink) and
Chiaretto (a more intense pink, very close to a light ruby)
This should tell you something about the colour of this wine... If you also like a slightly bitterness end in a wine, this is the wine for you. I do like bitterness at the end if my desire is to clean my taste buds from a dish too greasy or with a slight sweet tendency, like (and this is the best example) a slice of mortadella.
Remember that Bardolino is an area in Veneto between Valpolicella and the Garda Lake. The word “Classico” denotes that the grapes are harvested in the ‘Classical historical ’ geographical area where Bardolino was first produced. These are two pictures I took during my last tour of the areas of Bardolino and Valpolicella in April 2006.
Left: vineyards of Corvina in the Bardolino Classico area. Right: signs and signs to lead the way!
CARPINETO ‘DOGAJOLO' 2004
Producer: Carpineto
Wine name: Dogajolo
Grapes: Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon (percentages not released)
Denomination: IGT Toscana
Region: Toscana
Cost: $19.95
Release date: May 27, 2006
LCBO#: 461897
The Farnito and Dogajolo are the only two “super tuscans” labels produced by the large estate Carpineto co-founded by the two acclaimed winemakers Giovanni Sacchet and Antonio Zaccheo. Their headquarters are in the bucolic fraction of Dudda near the village of Greve in Chianti in the heart of the Chianti Classico region between Siena and Florence.
This Dogajolo 2004 beats all the previous vintages. Worth a try! It is a nice and intense blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon (the winery never releases the percentages!).
Pair it with a juicy Florentine steak if you are in Florence and with a thick AAA Alberta steak, grilled medium rare, if you are here in Canada!
From the Vintages Release of April 1, 2006
AJELLO MAJUS 2004
Producer: Ajello
Wine name: Majus Bianco
Grapes: 70% Grillo, 30% Cataratto
Denomination: IGT Sicilia
Region: Sicily
Cost: $12.95
Release date: April 1, 2006
LCBO #: 670844
CAPEZZANA BARCO REALE DI CARMIGNANO DOC
Producer: Capezzana (family of Count Contini Bonacossi)
The winemaker is a well known consultant: Stefano Chioccioli
Wine name: Barco Reale di Carmignano
Grapes: 70% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet, 10% Canaiolo.
Denomination: Barco Reale di Carmignano DOC (do not confuse this appellation with the more restrictive Carmignano DOCG!!)
Region: Tuscany
Cost: $17.95
Release date: Apr 1, 2006
LCBO #: 508531
From the Vintages Release of March 4, 2006
BANFI ‘LE RIME' CHARDONNAY/ PINOT GRIGIO 2004
Producer: Castello Banfi
Wine name: Le Rime
Grapes: 70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Grigio
Denomination: IGT Toscana
Region: Tuscany (Montalcino)
Cost: $12.95
Release date: Mar 4, 2006
LCBO #: 344663 (this number is useful if you want to buy this product at the store without having to pronounce the name….!)
BANFI ‘COL DI SASSO' CABERNET SAUVIGNON/SANGIOVESE 2004
Producer: Castello Banfi
Wine name: Col di Sasso (=Stony Hill, the rocky terrain of the Banfi estate)
Grapes: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Sangiovese
Denomination: IGT Toscana
Region: Tuscany (Montalcino)
Cost: $12.95
Release date: Mar 4, 2006
LCBO #: 681304 (this number is useful if you want to buy this product at the store without having to pronounce the name.!)
VICCHIOMAGGIO ‘RIPA DELLE MANDORLE' 2003
Producer: Castello Vicchiomaggio
Wine name: Ripa delle Mandorle (=The Hill of the Almond Trees)
Grapes: 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon (Sangiovese matured in large oak barrels of 25-75 hl, Cabernet matured in small oak barrique of 225 lt)
Denomination: IGT Toscana
Region: Tuscany (Chianti)
Cost: $16.95
Release date: Mar 4, 2006
LCBO#: 677930 (this number is useful if you want to buy this product at the store without having to pronounce the name.!)
From the Vintages Releases of February 4 and February 18, 2006
Mediterranean Wines – A journey for the senses
COSTA BICOCCHI "TORRI" - Vintages Release 4 Feb 06, page 12
Producer: Agricoltori del Geografico
Estate: Costa Bicocchi
Wine name: Torri
Grapes: Sangiovese 90%, Canaiolo 10%
Denomination: Chianti DOCG
Subzone: Chianti Colli Senesi
Region: Tuscany
Vintage year: 2001
Cost: $14.95
Confused with Producer, Estate and Subzone? Well, fear no more:
Producer: the name of the company bottling and selling the final product.
Estate: on this wine's label you see "Proprieta' Costa Bicocchi" and you may hear it being called "Costa Bicocchi Chianti". Well, "Costa Bicocchi" is not the producer. It indicates the estate where the grapes were picked. Sometimes a producer has more than one estate producing grapes, or buys the grapes from an estate owned by others. Often in Italian labels, like in this case, the name of the producer is "less important" than the name of the estate where the grapes were actually picked.
Subzone: smaller geographical area included in a DOC or DOCG. Remember that the Chianti DOCG has 8 subzones such as: Colli Fiorentini, Chianti Classico, Colli Senesi. The subzone Colli Senesi is located near the town of Siena and it is well known for Chianti prone to longer aging.
Hint: No white grape (Trebbiano or Malvasia) is included in this Chianti blend... so it is a good one!
CANTINE DI PALMA "IL NIBBIO GRIGIO" - Vintages Release 4 Feb 06, page 14
Producer: Cantine di Palma
Wine name: Il Nibbio Grigio
Grapes: Aglianico 100%
Denomination: Aglianico del Vulture DOC
Region: Basilicata
Vintage year: 2000
Cost: $16.95
Uhhh Basilicata! Here is a region we rarely hear of! Nestled in the beautiful south between Puglia, Calabria and Campania it is the only Italian region that touches 2 seas! (mare Tirreno and mare Ionio). The grape Aglianico, planted in many southern Italian regions takes its name from “Ellenico”. (Ellas=Greece. In fact, the Greeks planted this grape in that region centuries ago).
RUFFINO "LODOLA NUOVA" - Vintages Release 4 Feb 06, page 13
Producer: Ruffino
Wine name: Lodola Nuova
Grapes: Sangiovese 90% + other native varieties
Denomination: Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG
Region: Tuscany
Vintage year: 2001
Cost: $24.95
The name of this wine is taken from a vineyard called Lodola Nuova located in the medieval town of Montepulciano in Tuscany. Do not confuse “Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” with the “Montepulciano” grape, which grows in the region of Abruzzo!
LA SCOLCA GAVI "IL VALENTINO" - Vintages Release 18 Feb 06, page 39
Producer: La Scolca
Wine name: Il Valentino
Grapes: Cortese 100%
Denomination: Gavi DOCG
Region: Piemonte
Vintage year: 2004
Cost: $14.95
What is Gavi? A grape, a town, a region, or just a name of some noble horseman who first drank this wine centuries ago and gave it this name?
Well, here it is: Gavi is a cute and small town in South Piemonte, which gives the name to the DOCG. It is one of the only two white DOCG of Piemonte (the other one is Asti Moscato) and can also be referred to as “Cortese di Gavi”. Made 100% with a native Piemontese grape - Cortese - it is a lovely fizzy wine that Piemontesi pair with the seafood cuisine of the Mediterranean coast, just 50 km away, on the other side of the Appennini.
