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| Italy probably has more indigenous varietals than any other wine region. And while we love Nebbiolo and Sangiovese it is fun to wander away from these formidable grapes and explore some of the lesser known, distinct and unusual wines that grow throughout Italy. Be sure to stop by the shop this Saturday and check these wines out! They are fresh, rich and exciting, great with food or fun by themselves. Don't miss it. |
| 2006 Teruzzi and Puthod, Terri di Tufi IGT $13 |
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80% Vernaccia, 7% Chardonnay, 7% Malvasia, 6% Vermentino Husband and wife team Enrico Teruzzi and Carmen Puthod pioneered the local winemaking renaissance in San Gimignano, Tuscany. They practice "Global Quality," an environmentally-friendly method that avoids the use of anything not beneficial for the environment. A blend of indigenous and international varietals, the Terri di Tufi is intense and fruity with light notes of vanilla cream, tangerine, citrus and pineapple. The flavor is full-bodied and rich with firm acidity and fresh citrus zest, walnuts notes and a pleasant touch of toast on the finish. |
| 2007 Castillio di Verrezzano, Rosso, "Mini Tuscan--original Chianti blend" IGT $14.50 |
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80% Sangiovese Grosso; 20% Canaiolo, Trebbiano Toscano, and Malvasia Lunga A founding member of the Consorzio del Chianti Classico, Verrazzano has made Chianti for as long as it has been called that. The grapes used to produce Chianti has changed over the years, but current owners Luigi and Silvia Cappellini still follow the old tradition including white grapes in their Rosso. The body and vibrant fruit of the red Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes combines with the softness and suppleness of the white Trebbiano and Malvasia varieties to create a totally pleasing wine. The Rosso has a complex aroma, with youthful notes of fresh fruit and violets. The body is light and elegant and round on the palate, with flavors of red fruits, black currant and plum. |
| 2007 Ognissole, Primitivo de Manduria DOC $15 |
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100% Primitivo This 125-acre estate, in Pulia's Manduria region, was founded by Feudi di San Gregorio, who are renowned is southern Italy. The vines are trained using the Guyot system with four shoots. Yields are kept low to 1.3 lbs per vine. The grapes are handpicked. The wine spends 14 months in new French oak prior to bottling and release. The Ognissole is complex and powerful with spicy hints of clove and black pepper.. The flavor suggests wild cherry and prune, and has an excellent balance of acidity and tannins. The finish is velvety smooth and closes with lingering sensations of cocoa and coffee. |
| 2006 Secco Bertanni, Ripasso $18 |
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Corvina Veronese 70%; Rondinella 25%; Molinara 5% This prestigious Veneto winery owns all its own vineyards and produces an array of estate-grown wines. First made in the late 1850s, Secco-Bertani is the "grandfather" of ripasso-technique. The wine first undergoes an 11-day maceration in vats at a controlled temperature and with programmed remontages. Then in March it is refermented over Recioto Amarone skins. This double fermentation combines the freshness of a Valpolicella with a bit of the richness and the complexity of an Amarone. The wine ages for 18 months (75% in large Slavonian oak casks, 25% in French barriques.) This Ripasso has a delicate and mature character, with scents of spices and nuts. The body is dry, well balanced with a pleasing hint of bitterness in its lingering finish. |
| 2007 Plannetta, Cerasoulo di Vittoria, DOCG $21 |
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60% Nero d'Avola, 40% Frappato From in the only D.O.C.G in Sicily, the Cerasoulo is named for its remarkable color (cerasuolo means "cherry red" in Italian.) Made from two local grapes, the Frappato imparts ripe berry flavors and freshness, while the Nero d'Avola lends a supple tannic structure, richness and intensity. The wine is fruity, reminiscent of red berries, strawberries, cherries, figs, ginger and fruit drops. Very distinctive, the taste is supple, vibrant and wonderfully fresh, with a long finish. |
| Take the tasting home!! |
| Too much to take in at once ? Buy one bottle each of the five featured tasting wines and get 10% off. Spend the weekend trying them again. |