|
Join The WineKnitter in exploring the world of Wine, Spirits, Food, Travel and much more! |
 The focus this past Sunday was on moi! My sons came for a visit to celebrate Mother’s Day.  Rather than go out to a restaurant, I decided to make lunch for everyone. The lunch menu was grilled chicken tossed with arugula, romaine, sweet corn, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber and tomatoes. It was served with homemade French bread and fresh mozzarella drizzled with balsamic glaze and basil from the garden.  Grilled chicken and veggie salad  Homemade French bread, still cooling!  Fresh mozzarella, basil and balsamic glaze To accompany the meal, I opened Stella Prosecco DOC, a light and refreshing sparkling wine.  The wine is made with 100% Glera grapes grown in the Veneto region of Italy. The vineyard was planted in 1986 and winemaker Danilo Chini oversees the production. The fruit remains on the lees a total of 30 days with fermentation taking place in steel tanks.  The wine is a light straw color with aromas of soft fruit, pear and apples. The palate offers fine bubbles, pear, green apple, white floral and subtle citrus flavors on the finish. This is an easy wine to drink with a perfect balance of sweet and dry. Serve it as an aperitif or with light fare. Alcohol: 11% SRP: $15  I’m off to Greece tomorrow for a great wine tasting! Until then…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com If you have been following my blog for the past few years, then you know that I’m a fan of Chilean wine. And, I enjoy drinking the many noteworthy brands that Concha y Toro produces such as Don Melchor, Casillero del Diablo, Gran Reserva Serie Riberas and Marques de Casa Concha. Since Concha y Toro was founded in 1883, it has become Latin America’s leading wine producer, exporting to 147 countries worldwide. The company owns approximately 10,800 hectares of prime vineyards in Chile, Argentina and the United States.  In 1718, King Felipe V of Spain bestowed upon the Concha y Toro family the title of “Marques”. It was later on that the family moved to Chile and Don Melchor Concha y Toro founded the winery in 1883. As a tribute to the “Marques” title, the Marques de Casa Concha wines were created and launched in 1976.  The Marques Casa Concha grapes are handpicked from single vineyards, except for the Cabernet Sauvignon, which is a blend from the Puente Alto Vineyard and Pirque Vineyard located close to the foothills of the Andes Mountains in the Maipo Valley of Chile. The climate is semi-arid Mediterranean with a strong impact from the Andes Mountains creating extreme temperatures between night and day. The grapes experience a longer ripening period allowing for aromas that are more intense and concentrated. Marcelo Papa, who is one of five lead winemakers at Concha y Toro, makes the Marques de Casa Concha wines.  The Marques de Casa Concha 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cabernet Franc and 1% Syrah. It is a dark and inky red with lush aromas of dark fruit, plum, wood and spice. The palate offers layers of blackberry, dark plum, pomegranate and spices. The finish is long and peppery with black cherry lingering on the palate. The wine has a smooth texture and medium tannins and it will pair well with meat, game and hearty fish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $25  While I’m on the subject of Concha y Toro, I had quite the treat the other evening. A friend, who is also a wine writer, opened a bottle of Concha y Toro 1985 Cabernet Blanc that had been hibernating in his cellar for many years. Although the back label stated that it was a “blush” color, it had clearly turned to a rich cognac tone due to oxidation. The cork was removed easily and intact. I was sure that the wine would be a “pour down the drain” bottle. However, we were both pleasantly surprised. Subtle aromas of perfume segued onto the palate. It had hints of vanilla and caramel with a port like quality to it. This 33-year-old vintage was quite drinkable!     Until next time!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com This past weekend was a celebration of several events. Some friends were sipping mint juleps while watching the Kentucky Derby. Others were rejoicing with margaritas in honor of Cinco de Mayo. And then there were a few daring people celebrating World Naked Gardening Day. Hmmm…not going there. And I was popping open German Rieslings in between it all.  Last summer I wrote about Weingut St. Urbans-Hof and their 2016 Urban Riesling. If you didn’t have a chance to read it, here is a quick recap.  Nik Weis is the proprietor and winemaker at Weingut St. Urbans-Hof since 1997. Nik is third generation; his grandfather, Nicolaus Weis, founded the winery in 1947. The estate is named after St. Urban, the patron saint of vineyard workers and winemakers. It is located in the Mosel Valley, in an area called Leiwen. St. Urbans-Hof is considered one of Germany’s premier estates with 40 hectares of vineyards. Nik created ‘Urban’ a few years ago, using grapes sourced from nearby non-estate vineyards of excellent quality. The soils are sedimentary, giving the Urban Rieslings a unique and delicate balance of acidity, minerality and juicy sweetness. A small portion of grapes is harvested in the Wiltinger Schlangengraben, where the vines mature atop red slate in the singular Saar climate.  The 2017 Urban Riesling is a pale straw color and very aromatic with notes of peach, white flowers and honey which segue onto the palate. Pear, melon, lots of minerality and lively acidity join the parade of flavors that tingle the palate. This is a refreshing and balanced wine. Easy to drink as an aperitif or with light fare. Alcohol: 10% SRP: $15 I also opened a Weingut Adolf Störzel Riesling from Rüdesheim am Rhein located in the Rhine Valley, approximately 96 miles east of Leiwen. Rüdesheim am Rhein is a winemaking town and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Unfortunately, I don’t have much information about the winery or vineyards, as their website only seems to promote wine tastings and dining in their restaurant. In fact, I’m not sure the wines are available in the USA or other countries; a friend brought this bottle home from a trip to Germany. However, it was fun for me to open a Riesling from Mosel and Rheingau.  Adolf Störzel 2016 Rüdesheimer Kirchenpfad Riesling Kabinett Troken is a pale straw color and seductively aromatic with citrus, floral and apple. The acidity is jumping and the palate offers citrus, pear, peaches, honeysuckle, lime and minerality. The wine is beautifully balanced and dances on the palate. Pair with light dishes or drink as an aperitif…if you can find this lovely wine! Alcohol: 11.5%  Until next time!
Cheers! Penny To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com My last post took us to Valdobbiadene, a town in the province of Treviso, in northeast Italy, which is the heart of the “world of Prosecco”. Before we leave this beautiful and historic region, I ‘d like to talk about a noteworthy wine producer. A few months ago I was introduced to David Noto, the owner and importer of Altaneve. One of David’s first questions to me was “do you like Prosecco?” “Indeed”, I answered. “Well then, you must try my wines”. And, after an animated exchange and swapping of business cards, David sent me a few bottles of his sparkling wine.  David comes from an Italian winemaking family that stretches over 10 generations. Breaking with tradition, his grandfather moved the family from Calabria to Genoa in the early 1900s so that David’s father could live a more metropolitan lifestyle and receive a broader education. His father graduated college with an engineering degree, moved to NY and became well known for building skyscrapers. David, who was born in NYC, followed in his father’s footsteps, earning a mechanical engineering degree. In addition to his European community and NY projects, David has an impressive resume that includes an MBA from Columbia Business School. Although David and his father diverged from the family roots of winemaking, David became an expert on Prosecco. When he returned to New York in 1999, David soon discovered that he couldn’t find quality Prosecco locally. With winemaking in his DNA and his knowledge of this sparkling wine, it was a natural segue for David to direct his time and energy towards making a worthy wine to introduce to NY and beyond. So, David returned to Italy in pursuit of land and vines to make Prosecco. He went straight to Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G. region, specifically Valdobbiadene where grapes for winemaking have grown for over 2000 years.  The name Altaneve literally means “high snow” in Italian. With a backdrop of the snow-capped peaks of the Dolomite Mountains and temperate microclimate, Glera grapes grow here on steep vineyards in soils of clay, limestone, marl and marine sandstone. Above photos courtesy of Altaneve Altaneve was launched in May, 2013. Altaneve is a reflection of David’s desire to produce high-quality sparkling wines. He works with a top team of winemakers and agronomists to produce these elegant and delicate wines. And although David lives in New York, he travels several times a year to visit his land in Valdobbiadene.  David Noto Photo courtesy of Altaneve. Altaneve Prosecco Superiore D.O.C.G is 100% Glera grapes that are handpicked and hand selected from Valdobbiadene. The color is pale straw with a beautiful floral bouquet, pear and hints of stone fruit. Fine perlage, creamy texture and subtle layers of white flowers, pear and honeydew melon delight the palate. Crisp and balanced with a hint of lemon zest on the finish. Serve as an aperitif or with light food. Alcohol: 11.5% SRP: $30  Altaneve Rosé is 70% Pinot Nero and 30% Glera The Glera grapes are grown in Valdobbiadene and the Pinot Nero grapes are grown in Oltrepò Pavese in the Lombardy region. The color is soft salmon with delicate aromas of red berries and floral. The palate offers a fine perlage and soft foam with strawberry, floral and a touch of zest on the finish. Beautifully balanced, crisp and elegant. This wine will pair well with almost any style of food. Alcohol: 11.5% SRP: $33  The wines of Altaneve are a treat and I look forward to tasting more of these sparkling wines. If you’ve never been “moved” by Prosecco, I urge you to try Altaneve. The wines will seduce your palate and give new meaning to the word “Prosecco”. Bravo, David!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Situated in the heart of Prosecco DOCG are the hills of Santo Stefano di Valdobbiaden where some of the best Prosecco is produced.  Valdobbiadene is a town in the province of Treviso, Veneto, in North-east Italy. It is considered the heart of the world of Prosecco. Glera grapes grow in abundance here exposed to a temperate climate with soils of clay, limestone, marl and marine sandstone, which make an ideal stage for producing this sparkling wine.  Photo courtesy of Val Divina Val Divina is located in the hamlet of Santo Stefano Valdobbiadene. The Adami family has its roots in the hamlet dating back to the great-great- grandfather Abele who is said to have produced the first “Vin Col Fondo” in the district. The Col Fondo style is sparkling wine that finishes fermenting in the bottle. In the early 1970s, Abele’s nephew Abel and his wife Elisa founded a small farm in the hamlet called Valdivina.  Val Divina Prosecco DOC Treviso is an extra dry sparkling wine. It is made with 100% Glera grapes. The Charmat method is used to make this wine in which secondary fermentation takes place in steel autoclave tanks. The wine is light yellow with aromas of soft fruit, floral and citrus. It has a beautiful creamy and frothy mouthfeel with delicate flavors of pear, apple, pink grapefruit and stone fruit. This a fresh and engaging sparkling wine. Serve with light pasta, simple cheese or drink as an aperitif. Alcohol: 11.5%  I have more Prosecco to taste and share with you in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Once upon a time, there was a Benedictine monk and cellar master who lived and worked at Hautvillers Abbey; his name was Dom Pérignon (1658-1715). As legend has it, it was Dom Pérignon who discovered how to turn the still vin de Champagne into a foamy, bubbly wine. This is indeed a controversial subject and one that I will pursue at another time. My focus today is on another legend in the making whose origins are from Hautvillers as well. Hautvillers is a traditional Champagne village located on the right bank of the Great Valley of the Marne in the foothills of Montagne de Reims in France. Premier Cru is exclusively grown here. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are grown in soil containing chalk and belemnites originating from the Mesozoic era. Hautvillers is a small village with only 850 inhabitants and nestled amongst the residents is Champagne Marion-Bosser, a small cooperative producer that has been in the family for five generations. Today, Champagne Marion-Bosser is led by the dynamic mother-daughter team of Bernadette and Elodie Marion.  Elodie and Bernadette Marion Elodie’s maternal great-grandfather launched Marion-Bosser, which was then passed down from mother to daughter with each ensuing generation. At a point in time, Elodie’s grandmother moved the family to Paris and leased out the vineyards, but Bernadette moved the family back to Hautvillers in 1994 to take over the vineyards again. At the age of forty, Bernadette immersed herself in school to learn farming and winemaking. Her daughter Elodie also pursued an education, enrolling in the Beaune wine school CFPPA in Burgundy. After completing eight years of study in Burgundy, Elodie returned to Hautvillers in 2009 to work alongside her mother in running the domaine. Marion-Bosser owns three hectares of old-vine premier cru vineyards, most of which are Pinot Noir, in their home village. They source out their Chardonnay from grand-cru vineyards in Oger and Vertus. These impressive women work the vines by themselves and practice sustainability that is influenced by Elodie’s Burgundian education. Elodie makes her wine at the local cooperative, which demands strict specifications from farming techniques to winemaking. In addition, she has the advantage of using state-of-the-art equipment and is surrounded by fellow enologists. Needless to say, the wines reflect the passion and dedication that has gone into making them. Images of Hautvillers courtesy of Marion-Bosser Elodie prefers to age the champagne before the wine is bottled and likes to keep the dosages low, preserving “the fresh character of the grapes intact”.  Brut Tradition, Premier Cru is 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir. It is aged for 3 years on lees. The color is golden with a soft bouquet of floral, pear and stone fruit. The palate offers fine, persistent bubbles with tart apples, stone fruit and hints of nuts and yeast. This is a lively champagne with lots of freshness and a lingering taste of lemon zest. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $47.99  Brut Tradition, Premier Cru Extra-Brut Blanc De Blancs Premier Cru is 100% Chardonnay. It is aged for 3 years on lees. The color is light straw with aromas of lemon, granny apples and minerality. The palate offers soft fruit with crisp acidity, refreshing mousse, toast and fine bubbles. This is a dry wine with a clean finish. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $53.00  Extra-Brut Blanc De Blancs Brut Rose, Premier Cru is 55% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 15% Pinot Noir red wine. It is aged for 3 years on lees. The color is pink salmon with delicate aromas of strawberry and red berries. The palate offers persistent fine bubbles with strawberry, raspberry, hints of citrus and minerality. Beautifully balanced, creamy and a crisp finish. I enjoyed sipping it with my gourmet grilled cheese sandwich! Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $56.99  Brut Rose, Premier Cru  Millesime Premier Cru 2008 is 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. It is aged for 5 years on lees. The color is golden yellow with lovely aromas of stone fruit, soft red berries and baked bread. Stone fruit dominates the palate with fine bubbles, soft fruit and a lemon zest finish. This is a crisp, dry and bold wine. Alcohol: 12.5% SRP: $74.99  Millesime 2008, Premier Cru All of the above champagnes will pair well with an array of food or drink beautifully as an aperitif. My guests enjoyed sipping and nibbling on a variety of cheeses, fig spread, fruit and shrimp with cocktail sauce.  As their brochure states “this family-run estate has made wines with care, precision and a passion for terroir, from generation to generation for more than a century. They are passionate about the land and about the wine.” And it clearly shows in each bottle of these elegant wines!  Cheers!
Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The other day I wore a sundress and sandals and was ecstatic! Today, I’m all bundled up again in winter clothes and it’s pouring outside. The weather is truly maniacal and I’m craving sunshine. So, I decided to take myself to the warm and inviting climate of Sicily. Albeit it was through a glass of wine, but it did the trick!  Cusumano Winery is located in the town of Partinico, about 19 miles from Palermo on the western side of Sicily.   The Cusumano family has been growing grapes for about sixty years. They started out as grape producers, selling to regions around Italy. In 1993, they shifted gears and under the direction of Francesco Cusumano, they began focusing on the production of wine. Their first vintage was released in 2000. Francesco’s sons, Alberto and Diego, work alongside their father helping to create unusual and lively wines. Alberto, with his background in enology, oversees the production of wine. Diego has a background in business and marketing and takes care of the marketing and sales. Winemaker Mario Ronco does the consulting for the winery. The brothers built a new winery at Partinico, in 2006.  Alberto and Diego Cusumano Photo courtesy of Cusumano Cusumano owns 519 hectares of vineyards scattered throughout Sicily, maintaining seven vineyards in all. The San Giacomo vineyards are located in the center of Sicily in Butera, in the province of Caltanissetta. The vineyard consists of 140 hectares of rich, white and calcareous soils and this is where the Nero d’Avola grapes are grown. The average age of the vines is 15 years. Cusumano Nero d’Avola 2015 is 100% Nero d’Avola. The color is deep ruby bordering on purple. Seductive aromas of ripe berries, plum, cherry and spice segue onto the palate. The wine is fruit forward with lush dark fruit, plum, dark cherry, spices and heat on the finish. This is a lively wine with smooth tannins, is medium-bodied and will pair well with pasta, meat and seared tuna. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $13.99  Instead of a cork, the wine has a glass stopper meant to keep the wine fresh and it is reusable. Personally speaking, I prefer a vacuum pump and stopper on the rare occasion when there is wine left in the bottle!  I’m looking forward to trying more wines from Cusumano Winery. And of course, returning to Sicily through a glass of wine is always fun!
Until next time! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com A few years ago I wrote a story about Loire Valley. After attending “Spring to Loire Valley 2018” wine tasting this past week, I thought it would be worthwhile to revisit these noteworthy wines with you.  So before I get into the specifics of some of the wines I tasted, let’s review the Loire Valley region.  Loire Valley spans 170 miles and is located in the middle stretch of the Loire River, (France’s longest river) in central France. Loire Valley is also called the “Garden of France” noted for its vineyards, floral gardens, castles and historic towns.  Photo credit: France-voyage.com The Loire Valley wine region is France’s third largest winemaking region and ranks second in production of rosés. The vineyards, situated along the river, stretches from the Atlantic coast to north-central France. The diversity in soil composition and climate along this stretch plays a key role in the production and characteristics of the wine.  Pays Nantais region is closest to the Atlantic Ocean and produces Muscadet, made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape. An interesting note, more Muscadet is produced than any other Loire wine. Muscadet tends to be light-bodied and dry. The high acidity and soft citrus notes make for easy food pairing. The Anjou region is best known for its fruity rosés and red wines. Many of Loire Valley’s sweet wines are produced here. Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc are the most prominent grapes used. Saumur is considered a premier sparkling wine region in France and is also noted for its red wines made with Cabernet Franc. The main variety of grape for white wines is Chenin Blanc. Due to the chalky soil, the sparkling wines tend to drink like champagne. The red wines lean towards fruity and light-bodied. Touraine has many famous appellations that include Vouvray, made from Chenin Blanc grapes and Chinon and St. Nicolas de Bourgueil, both made from Cabernet Franc. The red wines from this region are made mostly from Cabernet Franc, Gamay and Malbec and tend to be rich in tannins. Most of the white wines are made with Sauvignon Blanc and tend to be dry and refreshing with an edge of fruit and tart. Centre-Loire region is at the center of France. “It is the original home of Sauvignon Blanc and of Sancerre, the world’s most prestigious Sauvignon Blanc wine that sets international standards for the grape”, as cited from Loire Valley Wines. The majority of the wines that come from the Loire Valley are pressed from a single varietal as opposed to most classic French wines that are blended. It is easier to discern the terroir of the single varietal grapes through aroma and taste. There are 24 grape varieties in the Loire Valley. The leading white varietals are Melon De Bourgogne, Chenin and Sauvignon. The leading red varietals are Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Gamay. With 28 wine importers showcasing wines from all four regions, I had the opportunity to taste a wide range of whites, reds, rosés and sparkling wines. Below is a slide show of just a few of the wines I tasted along with a brief summary of wines that caught the attention of my palate. Domaine de Cézin, 2016 Chenin Blanc is from the Jasnières appellation. It is 100% Chenin Blanc grown in limestone and clay soil. Layers of light fruit, honey, floral and minerality on the palate show off the aromatic and off-dry characteristics of this wine. SRP: $24
Domaine des Varinelles 2015 Cabernet Franc is from Saumur-Champigny. It is 100% Cabernet Franc and packs a punch with berries, spice, pepper and cherry. Medium tannins and easy to drink. SRP: $20 Domaine Pascal Jolivet 2016 Sauvignon Blanc is from Sancerre. This is a dry and lively wine with fresh citrus, melon, pear, minerality and a snappy lemon curd finish. SRP: $38 Maurice Bonnamy Cabernet Franc Rosé Sparkling NV Crémant-de-Loire appellation. Fine and foamy bubbles lead to fresh citrus, red fruit and spice with a chalky lemon finish. Nice! SRP: $16.99 Domaine Champeau 2016 Chasselas is from Pouilly-sur-Loire appellation. Chasselas grapes originated in Switzerland and are grown in several countries. Although it is usually blended with Sauvignon Blanc, this particular wine is 100% Chasselas. The wine is mild with citrus and floral overtones, lots of salinity and a sour edge to it. Food pairing can be a challenge, but mushrooms, quiche, cheese and fruit work. SRP: $14.99 Domaine Valery Renaudat, 2016 Pinot Gris Rosé is from the Reuilly appellation. This 100% Pinot Gris has layers of citrus, floral, peach and strawberry. Lively acidity with a hint of a bitter finish. SRP: $17.99 Jean Michel Gautier/Domaine de la Racauderie Grolleau Rosé Sparkling NV This 100% Grolleau comes from Touraine appellation. Persistent fine bubbles with soft sweetness, red fruit and lively acidity. Fresh and dry. SRP: $22.99 Domaine du Colombier-Mouzillon-Tillières 2012 Melon de Bourgogne This 100% Melon de Bourgogne is from Muscadet-sèvre-et-Maine appellation. More than two-thirds of total Muscadet production comes from this appellation. The wine is tangy with flinty notes, salinity and hints of apple and mild fruit. SRP: $19.99 Domaine de la Colline 2016 Cabernet Franc is from Chinon appellation. This 100% Cabernet Franc is medium-bodied and earthy with notes of dark fruit and plum. Hints of floral and soft fruit remain on the palate. SRP: $14.99 The wines of the Loire Valley range in style and complexity. So, no matter what you like to drink, whether it’s white, red, rosé or sparkling, crisp, dry, sweet, fruity, racy, edgy, earthy or robust, Loire Valley has a wine that is sure to please your palate. Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Spring is being quite obstinate in making an appearance. And, I am getting quite tired of the chilly temperatures and forecasts of impending snow showers. I’m ready to trade in my winter coat and gloves for a sundress and sandals! So, to liven things up a bit, I brought a bit of spring indoors and to my dining table. I opened a bottle of Rosé that I had just received from the Côtes-du-Rhône and served it with delicious smoked salmon pasta. The wine was Ferraton Père & Fils Samorëns Rosé 2017. I tasted and reviewed the 2016 vintage last year and I was not disappointed with the 2017 vintage!  The Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards, located in Southern France, extend from Vienne to Avignon and include 171 vineyards. The region enjoys a Mediterranean climate conducive to grape growing that also reflects in the characteristics of the wine. The grapes for this particular wine were grown on the right bank of the Rhône in limestone, sand, pebbles and clay soil.  Ferraton Père & Fils estate is located in Tain l’Hermitage and was founded in 1946 by Jean Orëns Ferraton. His son Michel, inheriting the same passion as his father, introduced the first Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and Saint-Joseph wines to the world. Michel Chapoutier, a highly regarded winemaker and close friend of the Ferratons’ introduced organic viticulture to the vineyards in 1998 and he eventually formed a partnership with the Ferratons. By 2000, all of the vineyards were converted to biodynamic farming and are now certified organic. What began in 1946 as a .3 hectare estate (some of these vines still produce fruit), Ferraton now has an annual production of about 350,000 bottles. Today, Ferraton is headed by oenologist Damien Brisset, who is supported by a young, dynamic team with an average age in the mid-thirties.  The Samorëns Rosé 2017 is a blend of 75% Grenache with Syrah and Cinsault. The color is rich coral with delicate aromas of fresh berries, soft floral, hints of citrus and melon. The palate offers red berries, peach, floral and a touch of vanilla on the finish. This is a dry, medium-bodied wine with good acidity and minerality. It’s perfect to serve as an aperitif or with light pasta dishes, seafood and even dessert! Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $15  The pasta dish is made with smoked salmon, roasted squash, peas, shallots, herbs and Parmesan cheese. I served it warm, but it is delicious as a cold entrée to present throughout the summer as well. And of course, the rosé was an ideal accompaniment to the meal.   I’m counting the days until I can finally sit outside, enjoy the sunset, grill food and sip some wine! I have lots of bubbly to share with you in the coming weeks. Until then…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Every now and then I get a craving for Sangiovese wine. And the other evening, that craving struck like a bolt of lightning. Lucky for me, I had a bottle of Sangiovese di Toscana IGT 2009 Podere Scopetone tucked away in my “wine cellar”.  Sangiovese grapes are the most widely planted varietal in Italy. The skin of the Sangiovese grape is thick and the wines tend to be more savory than sweet. Depending on where the grapes are grown, climate and soil being a factor, Sangiovese can deliver a wine that is fruit forward with bright acidity and high tannins or lean towards earthy with herbal notes. It runs the gamut of descriptions, but one of Sangiovese’s trademarks is its cherry flavors. Podere Scopetone winery is located in Scarnacuoia, just below the town of Montalcino overlooking Montosoli.  The winery location is noted for being where Ferruccio Biondi Santi first planted Sangiovese grapes in the 1870s. Podere Scopetone began its foray into winemaking in 1978, when Federico Abbarchi, a Milanese pilot, planted vineyards. The first bottled wines were produced in the 1980s. When Federico died in 2007, Loredana Tanganelli (a passionate beekeeper) and her husband Antonio Brandi (a viticulturist) became partners with Federico’s widow, Angela Abbarchi. Soon after, the couple became the owners of the winery. Together with their own vineyards and later expansion, the couple produced their first vintage of Brunello in 2009. Podere Scopetone is organic with a sustainable farming practice. In addition to the grapes, it is important to keep the bees safe! A new cellar was completed in 2015 and they are in the process of becoming certified organic. Luca Felicioni, agronomist and Maurizio Castelli, oenologist are part of the winemaking team. Photos courtesy of Podere Scopetone Sangiovese di Toscana IGT 2009 Podere Scopetone is 100% Sangiovese Grosso made from the vineyards in Montecucco. The color is ruby red with delicate aromas of cherry, red berries, floral and hints of leather. The palate offers cherry, plum, strawberry, spice, peppery tones and a trace of vanilla. This is a lively, dry, medium-bodied wine with medium tannins. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $15.99  This is a food friendly wine and will pair well with a multitude of dishes. I served it with baked salmon, roasted potatoes and beans. Quite yummy!  Until next time!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com |
Categories
All
|
RSS Feed