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“SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME YOU WILL NEVER FIGURE OUT BURGUNDY AND I PROBABLY AGREE, AFTER 30 YEARS. BUT MAYBE THAT IS THE WHOLE POINT. THE JOURNEY”. Dennis Sherman When an email popped up in my inbox asking if I’d be interested in receiving some samples of quality Burgundy wines from an online wine store based in Burgundy, my curiosity was piqued. Of course, I said yes!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Not only is Elden Selections (https://www.burgundywine.com) worth writing about, but also the owners and creators of this online store are a fascinating duo to boot! Located in the east-central part of France with over 74,000 acres of vineyards, Burgundy (Bourgogne) is recognized worldwide and is considered the classic region for growing and producing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The region is made up of five major growing areas, 3500 domaines, 100 appellations and over 1200 unique climate and soil compositions throughout.  Map is courtesy of terroir-france.com Needless to say, when shopping for Burgundy wines, it can be a bit confusing, if not overwhelming! Thanks to Eleanor Garvin and Dennis Sherman (El and Den) owners of Elden Selections, they have taken the confusion out of selecting and buying these wines.  Eleanor Garvin Photo courtesy of Elden Selections  Dennis Sherman Photo courtesy of Elden Selections It all began in 1983 when American born El and Den, with no return to tickets to Maryland, arrived in Europe with the notion of becoming apprentices to the great chefs of France. However, their journey began with backpacking, hitchhiking and making their way to North Africa for a while. With diminishing funds, they finally made their way to France. Temporary jobs saw them through a few seasons before finally getting bona fide jobs in Beaune and then eventually cooking on a hotel barge in Alsace and then in Burgundy. Two years later they bought Le Papillion, a 100-year-old barge and for the next ten years, they entertained passengers with French cuisine and wine as they traversed the waterways. Once back on dry land, El and Den established Elden Selections in1992, a Burgundy focused online wine store specializing in small-estate wine. Elden Selections is not a wine club and there is no minimum purchase required. All the wine is carefully selected and covers a wide range of appellations, with the focus on the producers. To quote Dennis, “For me, it’s all about the winemakers, the producers. We seek out those who are passionate, dedicated and creative. We work with them over many vintages to assemble our collection of wines that present the very best of Insiders Burgundy, its many and varied appellations, climats and vintages. We are not sure we'll ever figure it out fully but we are enjoying the journey. We hope you join us'. Elden Selections offers over 250 products from 30 producers, concentrating on small quantity, minimal intervention, farmer-made, food-friendly and estate- bottled. The price of wines ranges from under $30 to $300, including 13 Grand Crus! The website is user-friendly and includes invaluable resources for learning about the Burgundy region, each wine producer and a comprehensive description of each wine for sale. The website also has educational videos and wine tasting videos. El and Den have lived and worked in Burgundy for over 30 years. They own a beautiful manor house called “The Domaine de Cromey” located just south of Beaune that is complete with six en-suite guest rooms. They offer food and wine workshops, vineyard visits and invites into wine cellars not usually open to the public. (www.domainecromey.com). In addition to wine, food is also a passion for the Shermans. Ellie is a professional chef and has published several cookbooks, sharing her joy for all things food. El and Den have an insider’s knowledge of the region, producers and wine. They live and breathe Burgundy every day. El and Den follow the harvest, taste the wines in the cellars before bottling and after bottling. I can’t think of a better place to research and buy Burgundy wines than on Elden Selections. And the best part is receiving quality wine for less than you would pay in a local wine store! The wines that I received were impressive and I will be savoring them over time thanks to my Coravin System!  Chateau Cary Potet Montagny 1er Cru 'Les Burnins' 2016 $48 Photo credit: Penny Weiss Check out Elden Selections website and let me know what you think!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Nestled in the gently rolling hills of Tuscany in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone lies the family-run estate of Rocca delle Macìe.  Rocca delle Macìe. Photo courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe. The late Italo Zingarelli, a well-known actor who was also at age 28 the youngest movie producer in Italy, decided to pursue his true passion and lifelong dream of producing wine. His youngest son, Sergio said, “It was my father’s dream to have a winery.”  Italo Zingarelli (1930-2000) Photo courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe. In 1973 that dream was realized with the purchase of the “Le Macìe” estate. At the time Italo acquired it, only two acres out of 230 acres were under vine. The 14th-century farmstead was in disrepair along with acres of neglected vines. Working together, Italo and Sergio replanted the vineyards and restored the farmstead. More property was purchased and a state-of-the-art cellar was built and modern winemaking equipment was installed. Today, the family has six estates throughout Tuscany comprised of 1500 acres with a total of more than 500 acres under vine and 54 acres of olive groves. Le Macìe, Sant’Alfonso, Fizzano and Le Tavolelle estates are located in the Chianti Classico area. And Campomaccione and Casa Maria estates are located in the Morellino di Scansano area (Maremma). Italo instilled his love and passion for wine and the Tuscan land in his three children, Sergio, Fabio and Sandra. Sergio is quoted as saying, “My father Italo managed to infuse us with his great passion for the Tuscan soil and for the art of making wine. In short, he gave us the desire and the enthusiasm to continue to write that never-ending story that links wine to the lives of human beings. With his cast-iron will, he taught me that to get an idea off the ground takes determination...” In 1984 Sergio assumed responsibility for estate’s worldwide distribution and in 1989 he was appointed Company President. Sergio’s wife, Daniela works with him in running the business. Sergio has been a member of the Executive Board of the Chianti Classico Consortium since 1995 and in 2012 he was appointed President. In 2015 he was confirmed for another three years.  Sergio Zingarelli Photo credit: Penny Weiss I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Sergio a few months ago at a winemaker luncheon for a vertical tasting of six Rocca delle Macie’s historic cru wines made exclusively with grapes grown in their Fizzano estate vineyard.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Fizzano Farm was purchased in 1984 and spans across 150 acres with 88 acres under vine. The grape varieties grown here are the iconic Sangiovese as well as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Miocene deposits with a sandy-loamy texture and pebbly soils make up the soil composition. The vineyards have an excellent southern exposure at 985-623 feet above sea level and the mild Mediterranean climate contributes to maintaining the balance of the grapes acidity, sugar and aromas.  Fizzano Farm Photo courtesy of Rocca delle Macìe. Our vertical tasting began with three library wines. Library wines are portions of a vintage that have been set aside in the vintner’s cellar as part of their private stock to be enjoyed at a later date. It is not uncommon to store a few cases from each vintage. This area of the cellar is referred to as “the library”. Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva di Fizzano 1995, 1999 and 2005 are made with 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Merlot. They are library wines that still make a statement. The 1995 vintage still exhibits tannins along with soft, red dried fruit and earth. The 1999 vintage is rich with plum, blackberries and hints of cherry. The 2005 vintage is remarkably ripe with red berries, spice and hints of espresso.  Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva di Fizzano 1995, Photo credit: Penny Weiss Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Riserva di Fizzano 2011 is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Gran Selezione is a new classification above Riserva for Chianti Classico DOCG as of 2014. Grapes must be harvested only from the winery’s vineyards along with upgraded requirements for alcohol, extract and a minimum aging of 30 months. The 2011 vintage is quite aromatic with a palate of ripe dark berries, dark cherry, spice and refined tannins. SRP: $39.99 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Riserva di Fizzano 2013 is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Dark berries, plum, spice, dark cherry, clove and a touch of chocolate grace the palate. SRP: $39.99 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Riserva di Fizzano 2015 The blend for this wine is 93% Sangiovese and 7% Colorino. Although Colorino is used primarily to add color to the wine, the grape has elevated tannin levels that can contribute to the complexity of the wine. This wine is very aromatic with lush berries and spice. The palate offers rich, ripe red berries, plum, cherry, spice, anise and vanilla. I look forward to tasting this wine again in a few years SRP: $39.99 In addition to the vertical tasting, we sampled four more wines that made my palate quite happy.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Chianti Classico DOCG 2017 is a blend of 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. Aged eight months in the barrel. The palate offers fresh ripe fruit, berries, dark cherry, soft tannins and a hint of herbs. SRP: $16.99
Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG 2016 is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Colorino and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged two years in French oak. Ripe dark berries, spice, anise, soft tannins and a touch of herbs. SRP: $26.99 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Sergio Zingarelli 2013 is a blend of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Colorino. The best grapes are sourced from Le Terrazze Vineyard. The wine is aged for 18 months in French oak. Vibrant aromas of floral, dark fruit, toast and earth lead to a palate of berries, plum, cherry, spice, pomegranate, anise and dark coffee beans. Smooth tannins and beautifully structured. SRP: $99.99 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG Sergio Zingarelli 2014 is 100% Sangiovese. The best grapes are sourced from Le Terrazze Vineyard. It is aged for 20-24 months in French oak. This wine has a rich palate of plum, blackberry, raspberries, cherry, juicy tannins and spice. It is beautifully balanced and elegant. I asked Sergio if climate change has affected the vineyards and if so is there a difference in the wines produced. Sergio replied, “Climate changes didn't affect our vineyards but mostly the way to manage them. Our vineyard manager, of course, needs to spend more attention on the long-term forecast in order to avoid any negative influences on the canopy and of course on the grapes. Fortunately, we have now to our disposal new and more accurate technical equipment that can be used to predict and to control the balance between the growth of the vines and the quality of the grapes. Of course, the wines change if we have a hot and dry harvest or a colder one, but we are trying to keep the same style and philosophy every year.” Sergio talked about his biggest challenge in the vineyards. “We work very hard since the year 2000 to reduce or not use any chemical treatments. We can make this possible using different weather stations, with very hard work in the vineyard and using different viticulture strategies. As per example, the use of "mating disruption" to confuse some different insects with pheromones in the vineyards; the use of antagonists of some insects to control others one. Another challenge is to not use any chemical herbicides since 2000, using only mechanical removal of the herbs under the vines; maintain as best we can a stable balance in the vigor and quality of grapes ratio using only organic fertilizers and a very specific program of cover crops serving as the specific goals and nature of the soils of the different vineyards.” It was a great afternoon of exploring and tasting this impressive lineup of Rocca delle Macìe wines. All of the wines that we tasted are beautifully crafted. And as Sergio said, “The wines must be elegant and give expressions of the vineyard”. Sergio has done just that! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The holiday festivities have begun and I’ve heard a lot of corks popping lately, which is always music to my ears! Champagne and sparkling wines have always been considered the “go-to” drink for celebrations. But they have evolved into wines that are now enjoyed all year long and not just for special occasions. There are numerous styles to choose from that are produced in wine regions all around the world such as the popular Italian Prosecco, Spanish Cava and Sekt from Germany. To kick off the holiday season, I received a variety of six sparkling wines for review. I’m all about the bubbly, so I was happy to oblige!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Charles Heidsieck founded his own Maison in 1851 in Reims, France and he is credited for introducing and popularizing Champagne in the United States. After visiting New York and New England in 1852, he realized the great potential for selling his Champagne in America. A massive import of his wine was met with great success and he achieved record sales. Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve NV This champagne is summarized as an equation: 60/40/10 and expresses the quintessence of its style. 60: the number of crus in the blend (1/3 Chardonnay, 1/3 Pinot Noir, 1/3 Meunier) vinified cru-by-cru, varietal-by-varietal in stainless steel vats. 40: a high proportion of 40% reserve wines equally divided between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. 10: average age of 10 years for the reserve wines. Aging takes place in chalk cellars.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo credit: Penny Weiss A golden color and fine bubbles lead to a complex and elegant nose of brioche, pear, white flowers and a hint of apricot and citrus. The palate is rich with white fruit, toast and tart baked apples, with hints of cherry, citrus, toasted nuts and vanilla. It has good acidity and a creamy texture with a long, lush finish. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $69 Piper Sonoma is located in Sonoma, CA in the Russian River Valley region. It was founded in 1980 by Marquis d’Aulan. They have been producing sparkling wines for almost 40 years using the classic Méthode Traditionnelle technique to make the wines. Each vineyard lot is hand-harvested, fermented and aged separately. The wines are produced in Healdsburg under the guidance and expertise of winemaker, Keith Hock. Piper Sonoma Brut NV This sparkling wine is a blend of 70% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 3% Pinot Blanc and 7% aged Reserve Blend.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is pale lemon with fine and persistent bubbles. Aromas of brioche, orchard fruit, pear and citrus segue onto the palate with notes of berries and clementine. It has a fresh and smooth mouthfeel with a long and delightful finish. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $22 Piper Sonoma Blanc de Blancs NV This is a new blend for this wine made of 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Blanc.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is a soft straw color with fine bubbles and a lovely combination of aromas that include citrus notes, floral and tart apples. This dry and lively wine is creamy in texture with great acidity and notes of brioche, apples, citrus and a touch of vanilla. Alcohol: 12.9% SRP: $22 Piper Sonoma Brut Rosé NV This rosé is a blend of 53% Chardonnay, 39% Pinot Noir, 6% Pinot Blanc and 2% aged Reserve Blend.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a fresh and aromatic dry sparkling wine that has inviting aromas of berries, floral and citrus. Fine bubbles give way to flavors of strawberry, cherry, citrus and a hint of toast. It is nicely balanced with crisp acidity and a creamy mouthfeel. Alcohol: 12.6% SRP: $22 Known in the wine industry as the Tuscan renegade, Bibi Graetz has managed to become one of Italy's most ingenious winemakers adding "cult winemaker" in addition to "talented abstract artist" to his dossier. His first wines were released in 2000 and his bio reads like a movie script. (More to follow in another post) Bibi Graetz Bollamatta Spumante IGT NV Bollamatta is a sparkling wine made with 100% Sangiovese grapes sourced from Bibi’s 50 to 80-year-old vineyards spread across Tuscany. Bollamatta means “crazy bubbles” in Italian. The wine is produced using the Charmat method with five months on the yeasts. It is aged on the lees in stainless steel.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The wine is soft pink in color with an abundance of fruit and floral on the nose. The palate offers strawberry, cherry, stone fruit, bread and citrus. Fine bubbles and crisp acidity make this a “crazily” refreshing wine! Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $26 Villa Sandi dates back to 1622 and is located in Northeastern Italy in the heart of the Prosecco area at the foot of Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG hills. The estate is owned by the Moretti Polegato family and has been in the family for many generations. Villa Sandi Il Fresco Brut Prosecco DOC NV The grapes for this wine come from Treviso, the heart of Prosecco. It is a blend of Glera, Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc. After fermentation, the sparkling wine spends two months on lees before bottling.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This is a light and fun sparkling wine with vibrant aromas of honeysuckle, stone fruit and apples. The palate offers citrus, apple, honeydew melon and a touch of minerality. This wine is well balanced with just the right amount of acidity.
Alcohol: 11% SRP: $16 All of the above sparkling wines will drink beautifully as an aperitif and are easy to pair with a wide variety of cuisine. These are perfect wines to serve over the holidays, but they are great to drink all year long! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com With my family coming for Thanksgiving dinner, I made sure to have an assortment of wine and spirits on hand to please every palate. My menu this year strayed from tradition as I felt it was necessary to forge a new path with healthier cuisine. Granted, not everything I prepared was free of calories and carbs, but at least I was able to control the ingredients. We enjoyed fresh spinach lasagna, roasted brussel sprouts with cranberries, homemade peasant bread, tossed salad and corn salad in lime juice. The grand finale was key lime pie and fresh fruit. I started off the festivities by pouring a glass of Prosecco for everyone, never anticipating that my guests would choose to continue drinking it throughout the meal! These bottles of sparkling wine almost upstaged my meal as they were met with much enthusiasm and enjoyment. Every palate was sated and we never opened any still wine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Some of the best Prosecco comes from Glera grapes grown in the small towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the home of Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG.  Because Conegliano Valdobbiadene is situated between the sea and Pre-alps, the area experiences a mild climate with constant breezes. Vineyards have great sun exposure and benefit from the altitude and broad differences between day and night temperatures. The slopes, micro-climate, sun exposure and various soils make this an ideal setting for growing Glera grapes for the production of Prosecco. PassioneSentimento Prosecco Treviso Spumante Brut, DOC is produced by Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine located in Verona, Italy. This Prosecco is made with 100% Glera grapes grown in vineyards in the premium Conegliano subzone in Treviso. It is made using the Charmat method where the second fermentation takes place in large stainless steel tanks to trap carbonation in wine. Whereas, in the méthode Champenoise, the second fermentation happens inside the individual bottles in which the wines are sold. This wine is quite aromatic with fresh fruit, pear and brioche. The palate offers pear, apple, a hint of slate and lemon zest on the finish. This is a fresh and balanced wine with tiny bubbles and lovely perlage. Serve as an aperitif or pair with fish, pasta and white meats. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $16  Photo credit: Penny Weiss To learn more about Pasqua Vigneti é Cantine please read my story at: https://www.thewineknitter.com/the-journal/category/pasqua-vigneti-e-cantine Nino Franco Prosecco Rustico Valdobbiadene Superiore DOCG Nino Franco Winery is family owned and now in its fourth generation of producers. The winery is located in Valdobbiadene at the foot of the Prealps and was founded in 1919 by Antonio Franco. They are one of the oldest wineries in Valdobbiadene and they are celebrating their 100th year!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine is 100% Glera grapes harvested from vineyards in Valdobbiadene DOCG. The second fermentation takes place in “cuve close”. (Tank method). Intoxicating aromas of floral, pear, white stone fruit and a hint of citrus segue onto the palate with hints of tart apple and white peach. Lively fruit, fine and persistent bubbles along with a creamy mouthfeel and vibrant acidity, make this sparkling wine irresistible. Serve as an aperitif or pair with appetizers, fish, roasted veggies and pasta. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $19 So, the next time you’re perusing the sparkling wine section, pick up a bottle or two of Prosecco from the “home of Prosecco in Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. I am taking a short break and will return the week of December 8th. If an impending snowstorm doesn’t thwart my travel plans, then I am off to Italy in two days. I will be exploring the sparkling wines of Asti D.O.C.G, BRACHETTO D’ACQUI d.o.c.g., FRANCIACORTA d.o.c.g. and Custoza D.O.C. I will have lots to share with you upon my return. In the meantime, watch for my posts on social media! Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com If wondering what wine to serve at holiday time, you might want to add this lovely Tempranillo from Spain to your shopping list. This wine makes a bold statement, but it is light enough to pair with traditional holiday fare.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss CVNE (pronounced coo-nay) is an acronym for Compania Vinicola del Norte des Espana, one of Rioja’s most iconic wine producers. CVNE expanded their territory to include a 182-acre estate in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain with the focus of bringing their Rioja elegance to the rugged Ribera del Duero region. The Bela winery was built here in 1999 and is located in the village of Villalba del Duero, in the province of Burgos. Vines were planted with mostly Tempranillo in 2002 at an altitude of 2674 ft. The climate leans toward continental with a complexity of soils throughout the region. Soils for this wine are calcareous clay and sandy loam.  Map courtesy of wine-pages. Bela, Ribera del Duero DO 2017 is 100% Tempranillo. This wine is aged for six months in American and French, new and one-year-old oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Intense aromas of dark fruit, floral, baking spice and a touch of earth set the stage for this terroir-driven wine. The palate is layered with dark berries, dark cherry, plum, spice, anise and a hint of minerality. Vanilla and pepper linger on a long finish. This is a graceful wine with soft tannins and brimming with character. It is an easy wine to pair with a wide range of cuisine. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $19 I served this wine with mustard and brown sugar-crusted salmon, roasted brussel sprouts and mashed potatoes. It was a beautiful pairing and my palate was very happy!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It isn’t often that I find a Pinot Grigio that I really love. But when I do, I will be the first to sing its praises to you.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss And when sipping this wine from a wineglass specially designed for Terlato Pinot Grigio, it’s cause for celebration! The grapes for the Terlato Vineyards Pinot Grigio are grown in the renowned Friuli Colli Orientali DOC region in the far northeastern corner of Italy. These hillside vineyards are in the foothills of the Austrian and Slovenian Alps at an average altitude of 1300ft. Terlato Pinot Grigio is 100% estate-grown grapes selected from vines that are 20 to 30 years old. The grapes are farmed in small blocks, each with different soil compositions and exposures. The soil is mostly marl and schist, low nutrient and rocky. And the warm days and cool nights contribute to the acidity, complexity and character in this terroir-driven wine. All grapes are handpicked and wine production takes place in a state-of-the-art-winery. Riedel, the iconic glassmaker, was inspired by the quality of Terlato Pinot Grigio and crafted a beautiful wine glass to complement this wine. The glass even has “Terlato” etched on the stem.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The concept of the design is illustrated below.  Photo credit: Riedel Of course, I tasted the wine in both the Riedel wine glass and my standard “go-to” wine glass.  Riedel wine glass on left. Standard wine glass on right. Photo credit: Penny Weiss And yes, there are differences. The Riedel wine glass definitely heightened the aromas and my palate was entertained with a richer and subtler dance through the layers of this wine. That being said, I also enjoyed the wine in my “go-to” glass. However, the Riedel glass brings out the best in this Pinot Grigio.
Terlato Pinot Grigio DOC 2018 with Riedel wine glass Strong aromas of stone fruit, melon, pear and a touch of lemon are an enticing introduction. Layers of peach, apricot, pear and minerality follow a rich and creamy texture on the palate. The finish is quite lengthy with hints of almonds and lemon zest lingering. This Pinot Grigio is beautifully balanced with crisp acidity and expressive fruit. Serve as an aperitif or pair with seafood, light pasta dishes, cheese and spicy Asian cuisine. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $23.99 The Riedel wine glass is only available through a mail-in rebate after the purchase of a bottle of Terlato Pinot Grigio. Whether you drink Terlato Pinot Grigio in the Riedel wine glass or one of your choosing, it will still be an enjoyable and delicious experience! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It’s that time of year again for putting up seasonal decorations, attending holiday parties, buying an appropriate gift for the host/hostess and shopping for presents which seems to get more challenging as the years go by. Needless to say, it can be quite stressful. However, when it comes to buying gifts for the wine lovers and spirits drinkers on my list, I always have fun picking out just the right bottle or two for each recipient. And thanks to Bertani winery, shopping just got a little easier for me. Bertani produces a variety of world-class wines that will impress and please anyone’s palate. I recently received four samples of assorted wines from this iconic wine producer.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The brothers Giovan Battista and Gaetano Bertani founded Bertani Winery in 1857 in Quinto di Valpantena, north of Verona in the region of Veneto, Italy. With their winemaking talent, quality wine, business acumen and innovation, the brothers quickly distinguished themselves throughout the winemaking area of Verona. Their drive for quality and continuous improvement in the vineyards and winery were passed on from generation to generation. In 2011 another family-owned company of Tuscan wineries bought Bertani, but management and operations are kept separately. Bertani has over 200 hectares of vineyards in the most ideal areas of Verona province. In all of Italy, the highest number of DOC wines originates from here and it is famous worldwide for wines such as Valpolicella, Soave and Amarone. Bertani has two historic wineries, one in Grezzana and the other in Arbizzano di Negrar. The map below illustrates the territories where their vineyards are.  Map courtesy of Bertani Soave Vintage Edition DOC 2016 This wine is made with 100% Garganega grapes harvested from vineyards in the Soave hills. The area has a mild climate with very complex soils of calcareous origin and clay-loam texture and is rich in organic matter. All of this contributes to making full-bodied wines with elegant fruity notes and longevity. Aging takes place on the lees in concrete vats covered with glass bricks. This historic container allows for a slow and gradual aging process.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Heavenly floral aromas are accompanied by stone fruit, apricot and a hint of savory. Stone fruit continues onto the palate with melon, vibrant acidity and a touch of minerality. Floral and peach linger on the palate for a long finish. This wine is complex and bursting with personality. Serve as an aperitif or pair with seafood, white meat and spicy Asian cuisine. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $30.99 Secco Bertani Original Vintage Edition 2015 This wine is a magical blend of 80% different varieties of original Corvina clones, 10% Sangiovese Grosso and 5% each of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Grapes are sourced from vineyards in the hills surrounding the historic Bertani estate in Grezzana, in the Valpantena DOC. There is a significant difference in the temperature range between day and night with long sun exposure during the day, resulting in high-quality fruit production. The soil is composed of calcareous-marl that contains large amounts of iron giving the wines spicy, mineral notes. This Vintage Edition is made by recreating the old recipe, style and taste from the first Secco Bertani vintage in 1857. The wine was aged for 12 months in traditional Veronese cherry and chestnut barrels made from local wood.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lovely aromas of raspberry, sweet cherry, baking spices and a hint of herbs and pepper are the intro to this vibrant wine. The palate offers sour cherry, cranberry, red plum and spice. This is a luscious wine with medium tannins and a long finish of pepper, cherry and mineral notes. Serve with meats, stew, pasta and appetizers. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25.99 Valpolicella Ripasso DOC 2016 This is a blend of 85% Corvina Veronese, 10% Merlot and 5% Rondinella. Grapes are sourced from the hills of Valpantena and Valpolicella Classica areas. The soil is composed mainly of calcareous-marl that is volcanic and rich in iron. Ripasso is made using a very old winemaking practice called the “ripasso method”. The young Valpolicella wine is re-passed over grape skins used in Amarone production. This method gives the freshness of the Valpolicella and the dried grapes introduce rich and concentrated flavors of chocolate and sour cherry to the wine. It is aged for nine months in French oak barrels.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss The nose offers aromas of red and dark fruit, spice and herbs. This is a tasty and complex wine with layers of cherry, red berries, anise, pepper and a hint of vanilla and nutmeg. It is well balanced with a delightfully long finish of fruit and savory. This wine can be served with many dishes such as creamy mushroom risotto, grilled meat, hearty stews and aged cheese. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25.99 Bertani Amarone Classico DOCG 2009 This wine is a traditional blend of 80% Corvina Veronese and 20% Rondinella sourced from the Tenuta Novare hills in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica area. Soils in Tenuta Novare range between clay, calcareous soils rich in iron and manganese and soils rich in basalt that helps to give Amarone its distinctive quality. Bertani has 550-acres of vineyards here that are devoted entirely to the production of Amarone. Bertani began making Amarone Classico in 1958 and their production methods and packaging have remained the same. Grapes are set aside to dry naturally on racks made of bamboo canes and they remain here for about 120 days until the grapes lose 60% of their water content. Slow fermentation takes place in concrete vats and the wine is then aged in Slavonian oak barrels for at least six years. Another 12 months of maturing is spent in the bottle before release.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This Amarone is opulent! It opens with intoxicating aromas of plum, cherry, baking spice and a hint of tea rose. The aromas spill onto the palate with layers of red berries, toasted nuts, anise, spice and a touch of vanilla. It is a beautiful integration of acidity and tannins that beg you to take another sip and savor every mouthful. This is an elegant wine that can be enjoyed on its own or pair it with red meat, white meat, game, risotto or aged cheese.
Alcohol: 15% SRP: $129.00 I hope that I have piqued your interest and perhaps when checking off your gift list for the holidays, you’ll treat yourself to a bottle of Bertani wine! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Around this time last year, I reviewed Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes-Hermitage and Samorëns Côtes-du-Rhône Red 2015 vintages.  Photo credit: Ferraton.fr Ferraton Père & Fils is a producer and négociant of wine throughout the Rhône Valley. Twenty percent of Ferraton production is estate wines with grapes sourced from the domaine’s 37 acres in the Northern Rhône’s Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and St. Joseph appellations. The rest is sourced from sustainably farmed fruit in both Northern and Southern Rhône appellations all of which are biodynamic and certified organic.  To learn more about this producer and the Rhône Valley, please click ‘Ferraton Père & Fils’ or Rhône Valley on the menu at right. The 2017 vintages of Ferraton Père & Fils La Matinière Crozes-Hermitage and Samorëns Côtes-du-Rhône Red are quite pleasing to the palate and light enough to be enjoyed with a variety of cuisine.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss La Matinière Crozes-Hermitage 2017 is 100% Syrah. Crozes-Hermitage is the largest appellation in the Northern Rhône and is known for its exceptional Syrahs. The climate here is moderate-continental and a bit cooler than the Southern Rhône but still it is far enough south to produce earlier ripening grapes. The grapes for the La Matinière are sourced and blended from a mix of estate and neighboring vineyards in the Mercurol and Beaumont-Monteux districts of central and southern Crozes-Hermitage. Glacial alluvial deposits with rounded pebbles, stones and gravel soils along with potassium residue can be found here, which contribute to fleshier, rounder wines. This wine is partly matured in oak barrels for 12 months before bottling.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This wine begins with lovely floral aromas mixed with strawberry, cherry and baking spice. The palate offers an array of red fruit such as raspberry, pomegranate and sour cherry. It has a nice balance to it that finishes with hints of pepper, cherry and vanilla. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $26 Samorëns Côtes-du-Rhône Red 2017 is a blend of 85% Grenache, 10% Syrah and 5% Cinsault. Grapes are sourced from vineyards situated on the left bank of the Southern Rhône with flatter terrain that consists of stony soil including limestone, clay and sand. The climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm, dry summers.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss This terroir-driven wine bursts open with aromas of berries, floral and spice. The palate offers juicy red fruit with flavors of blackberry, dark raspberry, anise and spice with a tart plum skin finish. It is the perfect combination of fruit and savory.
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $16 With the holidays fast approaching, you won’t go wrong with adding these wines to your shopping list and dinner table. Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com When you can’t choose between drinking red or white wine and circumstances permit, try both and let your palate choose. That’s why I love using my Coravin system; there is no waste factor in my home!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Donald Hess is the founder of Hess Wines, a family-owned, fifth-generation company located in Napa Valley, CA. In the 1970s, while on a business trip to Napa Valley, Donald took an interest in mountain winegrowing. He ascertained that the Mount Veeder mountain vineyards were an ideal area for growing grapes, which produce unique character and flavor due to the microclimate and soils.  Map courtesy of Hess Collection In 1978 Donald made his first land purchase on Mount Veeder, a property in which winemaking and farming have a history going back as far as 1876. This property is now the site of the Hess Collection Winery. By 1982, Donald had acquired 900 acres and in 1986 he opened the Hess Collection Winery to the public. Dave Guffy became Director of Winemaking in 1999 and Donald formally retired in 2011, passing on the baton to his son-in-law Timothy Persson as CEO and his daughter Sabrina, the fifth generation of the Hess family. In addition to its mountain vineyards, Hess Wines has estate vineyards in areas such as Pope Valley and near the Carneros region of the Napa Valley. They also produce wine in Argentina and South Africa. Hess Wines focuses on sustainable practices in the vineyard and winery. “The wines cultivated at The Hess Collection follow the dictates of the Napa Green certified land and winery programs, as well as the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance “Code of Sustainable Winegrowing”, both third-party certification programs with significant oversight.” (Quoted from Hess website) My review today is on wines that come from Hess Allomi and Súskol Vineyards in Napa.  Map courtesy of Hess Collection Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017 is 100% Chardonnay. The grapes are sourced from Súskol Estate Vineyards located in one of the coolest growing regions within Napa. It is the site of an ancient seabed with shallow, sandy soils. Chardonnay is exclusively grown on this 175-acre vineyard with nine unique clones to work with. 70% of the blend goes through stainless fermentation and the remaining 30% sees a light touch of oak-aged for nine months in French oak, 19% new.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Luscious aromas of floral, pear, honeydew and vanilla lead to a rich and creamy palate. Layers of melon, honeysuckle, pear and baking spice with hints of stone fruit are complemented by lively acidity and balance. Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, light pasta or cheese. Alcohol: 14.4% SRP: $22 Hess Collection “Allomi” Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 is a blend of 81% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Malbec and 2% Merlot. Grapes are harvested from Allomi Vineyard located in northeastern Pope Valley, a part of Napa Valley. Vines are exposed to a long, warm growing season and well-drained clay loam soils. There are 35 unique blocks with six different Cabernet clones in this 210-acre estate. Each block is evaluated and only the finest components are selected for each vintage. This wine is aged in 27% new American oak for 18 months.  A profusion of black fruit and spice with hints of floral and vanilla greet the nose. The palate offers dark plum, black cherry and spice with a finale of dark chocolate, vanilla and sour cherry on a long and luxurious finish. It has a beautiful mouth-feel with well-integrated tannins. This wine is full of personality and simply put, is elegant. Serve with grilled meat, wild game, stews and grilled vegetables.
Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $32 I look forward to revisiting these wines very soon! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com International Sherry Week is from November 4 – 11. And there are so many styles of sherry to celebrate with.  Photo credit: sherrywines-losvinos Sherry is a fortified wine produced in Andalucía, located in the southwest area of Spain. With over 40,000 hectares of vineyards in Andalucía, more than half of the wine produced here is in DO (denomination de origin) areas. Sherry can only be made from Palomino, Muscatel and Pedro Ximenez white grapes.  To learn about the terroir of Andalucía and how sherry is made, please click on the link below that will take you to a story on my website. http://thewineknitter.com/1/post/2017/10/day-606-sherry-fest.html Borrowing from the above story, let’s take a quick look at all the sherry styles available. Fino de Jerez is the youngest (usually 3-5 years old) and the driest of sherries. The wine ages under a layer of flor (yeast). This layer of flor protects the wine from being oxidized and it also consumes all the sugar in the wine, creating a dry sherry. Fino only comes from Jerez and El Puerto de Santa Maria. Manzanilla is another dry sherry that is just like Fino, except that Manzanilla comes only from the coastal town of Sanlúcar. Both Fino and Manzanilla have more wine salinity than the other styles. They will complement fish and shellfish. Amontillado is an aged Fino or Manzanilla. Once the layer of flor fades the wine begins to oxidize and takes on a new character. It can be fortified up to 18%. The color is darker and it is less briny, but nuttier and richer on the palate. These wines pair well with white meat and game. Palo Cortado is an interesting sherry that begins as a Fino or Manzanilla but for no known reason it unexpectedly loses its layer of flor too soon. Once the flor dies, the wine takes on oxygen and requires further fortification. In other words, it does “its own thing”. This wine has richness but is crisp as well. Oloroso (‘scented’ in Spanish) intentionally never develops flor. Aging through oxidation of up to 40+ years produces a full-bodied, aromatic, dark and rich wine. Oloroso contains the most amount of alcohol in sherry with levels of 18% to 20%. This is a great wine for hearty entrees, meats and stews. Pedro Ximenez (PX) is an intensely sweet wine and the sweetest of the sherries. The grapes are dried in the sun allowing the juices to concentrate before pressing. This is a rich wine that oozes raisins, nuts and fig. Cream Sherry is usually a blend of Oloroso, PX or Moscatel but can come in a variety of styles. This is a semi-sweet wine that is aromatic, dark in color with classic notes of nuts and caramel. I’m starting the celebration with the following styles of sherry.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Tio Pepe Palomino Fino DO Jerez Xérés This sherry is made with 100% Palomino grapes harvested from Jerez Superior vineyards that are considered the best area of the DO. The wine remains for a minimum of 4 years in American oak casks following the traditional Solera system under the flor. It has a pale lemon color with heady aromas of sweet honeysuckle, almonds and bread. However, this is a very dry sherry with complex flavors infused with almonds and a hint of yeast that lingers on the palate. Due to its savory nature, this sherry will intensify the flavors of many foods and pair well with seafood, cheese, meats and Asian cuisine. Serve well chilled and enjoy! I paired this sherry with smoked cheese, briny cherry tomatoes, spiced nuts and an assortment of olives. Alcohol: 15% SRP: $20  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Harveys Bristol Cream DO Jerez Xérés This sherry is a blend of 80% Palomino and 20% Pedro Ximenez grapes. It is a unique combination of Fino, Amontillado, Oloroso and Pedro Ximenez sherries that have been aged separately in the Solera system, averaging between 3 and 20 years of age. It has an intense burnished-brown color that offers intoxicating aromas of dried fruit, raisins, nuts and toffee. The palate is layered with raisins, caramel, fig, toasted almonds and a creamy mouthfeel. This is a nice sherry to drink as an aperitif or serve with desserts, cheese and fruit. Serve well chilled. And if you’re not sure if the sherry is cold enough, the thermochromic label turns blue when the sherry is ready to serve! I poured this sherry over vanilla bean ice cream. It was heavenly! Alcohol: 17.5% SRP: $15  Photo credit: Penny Weiss What style of sherry will you be pouring in your wine glass to celebrate International Sherry Week? Please share your stories and photos with me!
Until next time, Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
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