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Italy - wines from the most and least
predictable regions
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Italy - wines from the most and least |
| Come join us this coming Saturday and taste an extraordinary selection of wines from the portfolio of Gianpietro Ottolini. It’s a great chance to try some exceptional and uncommon wines that show off Italy’s diversity. Gianpietro himself will be on hand to tell you more about the producers and these wines. This one is not to be missed. Cancel your vacation or weekend plans and come by. |
| 2006 Cave del Onze Communes, Valle d’Aosta DOC Müller-Thurgau $14 |
| Val d’Aosta is located in the Northwestern corner bordering Switzerland and France where the Matterhorn and Mont Blanc rise. This Müller-Thurgau planted between 2,000 and 3,000 feet, comes from vineyards that were carved and terraced over a thousand years ago. The fruit is gently pressed and then slow fermented at a low temperature to extract aromatic qualities and retain freshness. The wine has intense aromatics of pineapple, golden apple, white peach and floral nuances; balanced flavors of succulent stone fruit with lively mouth-feel through its persistent finish. Perfect with seafood, white meat and grilled vegetables or the soft, medium aged, regional cheese Fontina. |
| 2006 Livio Pavese, Piemonte: Monferrato DOC Rosé Rosaspino $12 |
| While better known as a Barolo producer, Livio Pavese also makes this wonderful rosé is made from Piedmont’s two main varieties – Nebbiolo and Barbera. The wine is bright crimson; rose, cherries, strawberry field and subtle earthy aromatics with a brilliant mouth-feel of juicy raspberries, strawberries and red currants. Perfect with mixed BBQs from poultry to fish and burgers or herbal cheeses. |
| 2003 Giovanni Terenzi, Lazio: Cesanese del Piglio DOC “Colle Forma” $18 |
| This wine is 100% Cesanese, a local grape from just south of Rome. The grape is similar to Pinot Noir because of its finicky growing season, thin skin and silky character. Cesanese dates back to the pre-Roman Times. It was the official wine served at the table of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II and Popes Boniface VIII and Innocent III. The single vineyard Colle Forma offers a myriad of aromatic qualities, from kirsch and currants to white pepper, dried herbs and wild flowers. It’s succulent and elegant on the palate with bright fruit and has balanced tannins and acidity. Perfect with blackened, grilled salmon, lamb, beef, or aged, sharp Pecorino Romano cheese. |
| 2005 Produttori di Govone, Piemonte: Barbera d’Alba DOC “Bricco del Tempo” $10 |
Located on top of a hill between Alba and Asti, Govone sits in the heart of the Piemonte. The vineyards of Produttori di Govone are laced around hills of clay and marl mixed with marine sediment from 6 million years ago when the area was covered by the Padanum Sea. This 100% Barbera has a purple color with ruby reflections; typical black cherry, leather, truffle and rose aromatics, and a medium-bodied, polished mouth-feel. Perfect for grill feasts. |
| 2002 Nera, Valtellina – Lombardy: Sforzato DOCG $38 |
| Valtellina is one of the Italy’s northern most vinicultural areas. The vineyards of Pietro Nera are planted at an average altitude of 2,500 feet, on steep Alpine slopes that were terraced with dry rockeries and valley floor soil, which was transported up the hills some hundred years ago. Because of the steepness of the hills most of the work is done manually, or with monorails that carry the baskets full of grapes. The Sforzato is from pure Nebbiolo that is vintified similar to Amarone, letting the clusters dry for 3-4 months. Except in Valtellina, the clusters are transported up to an elevation of 4,000-5,000 feet where the sun reaches the fruit for a longer period during the day, and the temperature and humidity levels are optimal. Deep ruby; distinct leather, truffle, rose, raisin and dried fig aromas; succulent kirsch, plum and dates flavors; serious structure and remarkable silkiness. Sforzato is delicious with venison or wild boar, all red meat, aged cheese, or as a meditation wine. Incredible! |