ITALY FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
With 350 recognized varietals and up to 500 more documented, Italy is a world unto itself when it comes to wine. We will enjoy five fun and interesting varietals spanning north to south, including Sardenia and Sicily today with David Sobiesk from Artisan Wine.
ZINGARA PROSECCO TREVISO EXTRA DRY 2014
100% Glera
Crisp acidity, low sugar, with plenty of fruit and character. Apricots & Lime zest. Zingara means "gypsie". The vineyards are situated in the Montello hills with rich soils of clay, limestone and marl.
PALA I FIORI VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA 2014
100% Vermentino
Crabilis which means "ancient goat shelter" in Sardinian dialect, is the name of a vine-covered, sandy limestone hill not far from the Pala winery. Originally called Crabilis (the actual name of the vineyard where the vermentino grows), the wine is now renamed i Fiori (the flowers) in honor of Sardinia's biodiversity. Fermented in steel tanks where it rests for a few months before bottling. Limestone and clay soils.
Straw-colored with greenish reflections. Persistent floral and herbaceous aromas with notes of thyme. Medium to full-bodied on the palate with good balance and a long, slightly briny finish makes it a perfect companion to any shellfish. Also served with seafood dishes and lightly seasoned soups.
CASTELLUCCI 'MIANO' CATARRATTO 2014
100% Catarratto
A native Sicilian grape that has grown on the island for over a thousand years. This is one of the most beautiful wines in the world for both its bouquet and flavor profile.
Catarrato means "Cataract" or "Waterfall" in English.. When you swirl the wine in your glass, you will see the wine slowly fall back down to the bottom of the glass like a waterfall with naturally-occurring bubbles. These bubbles are not carbonation. They are a natural characteristic of Catarratto.
Castellucci Miano is one of the few producers in Sicily that makes a world-class version of Catarratto as a monovarietal on the slopes of the Madonie Mountains. It's a medium body white wine. Not bone-dry, but not sweet either. The texture is buttery with aromas of ripe citrus, minerals, and hints of the mediterranean sea. Sandy soil and clay with an alkaline reaction due to active limestone.
LE MORETTE BARDOLINO CHIARETTO CLASSICO ROSE 2015
55% Corvina, 35% Rondinella and 10% Molinara
Stainless steel, starting together with skins, 24 hours, without skins, one week. From ancient production area of Bardolino, Italy...hence the label caption "Classico".These are the famous red grapes of Valpolicella, made as a rose'. Harmonious, full-bodied, slightly fruity, lively and dry with a nice persistence. 74 acres of vineyards, now tended by brothers Fabio and Paolo, lie in the heart of the Lugana DOC in the quaint town of Peschiera del Garda.
PALA I FIORI CANNONAU DI SARDEGNA 2014
100% Cannonau
Cannonau has been growing in Sardinia since the Neolithic period and is one of the most widely planted varietals on the island. The most recent studies indicate that Cannonau, which is very rich in phenols, is the wine to drink to facilitate living longer. This is supported by the fact that Sardinia has one of the world's largest populations of centenarians. Originally called Triente, Pala's Cannonau has been renamed i Fiori (the flowers) in honor of Sardinia's biodiversity. The flower on the label is an endemic plant of the island.
8 months in stainless steel and concrete tanks. 2-3 months in bottle before release.. Crabilis vineyard is comprised of limestone and clay soils at the base and middle of the hill and sandy soil with a higher gravel content towards the top.
Intense ruby-red color with subtle spice and mature red fruit aromas. Medium-bodied with good structure and a lingering finish. Serve with both white and red meats, spicy foods and flavorful cheeses.
