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The month of April is ending with her classic “April showers” all weekend long. And we all know what May brings! I’m looking forward to May flowers, warmer weather, spending more time outdoors, and taking the kitchen outside for the grilling season.  Photo credit: Paul Herman Just because the warmer months are almost upon us does not mean one has to pack away the red wines along with mittens and boots. On the contrary, red wines are to be enjoyed year-round and are a great accompaniment to many summer dishes. So to kick off the season, I’ve rounded up a selection of six red wines that will pair beautifully with whatever you might have on the grill. The wines range from $13.99 to $25.00 and will not disappoint your palate.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Bodegas Valdemar Conde Valdemar Crianza 2018 Bodegas Valdemar Winery is located in Oyon, Alava Spain, and has a history of winemaking dating back to 1889. They have 300 hectares of vineyards throughout Rioja and are considered one of the largest estates in Rioja. Grapes for this wine are a blend of 89% Tempranillo, 7% Mazuelo, and 4% Graciano sourced from estate vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. The wine is aged in American oak barrels for 17 months.  Nose: Fragrant notes of blueberries, cherry, and baking spice. Palate: Juicy dark berries, cherry, vanilla, and earthy. Tannins and acidity are well-balanced, with dark fruit lingering on a long finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $19 Pairing suggestions: Cheese platter, grilled meat, tuna, veggies, pasta, stews, and pizza. Veramonte Pinot Noir 2020 Viñedos Veramonte is an organic estate located at the extreme eastern end of Chile’s Casablanca Valley. The Veramonte vineyards are in both Casablanca Valley and Colchagua Valley. This wine is made with 100% Pinot Noir organic grapes from Casablanca Valley. It is aged for eight months in natural oak.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Red berries, bing cherries, a hint of spice, and earthy. Palate: Strawberry, raspberry, and plum dance on the palate. Fresh with good acidity, silky tannins, and a long, savory finish. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $13 Pairing suggestions: Grilled meat and poultry, risotto, pasta, or seafood salad. Cline Eight Spur Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2020 This California wine is produced by Cline Family Cellars, established in 1982, a family-owned and operated winery. The grapes for this 100% Zinfandel are sourced from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma County, one of the oldest growing areas in California. The valley holds the daytime heat, ripening grapes until sundown when cool ocean breezes whistle through the canyon, extending the growing season to increase varietal complexity. The wine is aged in 40% new French oak for 15 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Berries, dark cherry, plum, and baking spice with a hint of lavender. Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with notes of raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and vanilla. It is rich, smooth, and well-structured, with sour cherries and vanilla lingering on the finish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $25 Pairing suggestions: Grilled anything! BBQ ribs, spicy cuisine, pizza, seared tuna, or roasted leg of lamb. Graffigna Glorious Collection Malbec 2020 Graffigna was established in 1870 when Santiago Graffigna left Italy and arrived in San Juan, Argentina, bringing with him his passion and wine expertise. It is considered one of the oldest wineries in San Juan. Today, Santiago’s vision and spirit are honored with each bottle produced, and care is taken to maintain the quality and character of the grapes. The grapes for this 100% Malbec are sourced from the Uco Valley in Mendoza. 70% was aged in French oak for 12 months, and 30% in concrete and stainless steel vats.  Nose: A touch of violet, plum, sour cherry, and baking spice tease the senses. Palate: Concentrated and juicy fruit, with aromas spilling onto the palate. Blackberry and plum linger on the finish, with soft tannins and nice acidity. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $18.99 Pairing suggestions: BBQ, grilled meat and veggies, mushroom risotto, stews, or a charcuterie board. Cantine Ermes Epicentro Nero d’Avola Riserva Sicilia DOC 2018 Cantine Ermes was founded in 1998 in the heart of Belice Valley in Sicily. It is a cooperative “born from the idea of young Italian minds.” They produce wines from Sicily, Veneto, and Puglia, with an impressive 10,592 hectares of vineyards spread across these territories, with the majority of vineyards in Sicily. This wine is 100% Nero d’Avola aged in 500-liter tonneaux for 18 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Lovely bouquet of dark fruit, plum, berries, and baking spice. Hints of toasted oak and minerality waft through the fruit. Palate: Aromas continue onto the palate with strawberries, cherry, clove, and pepper. Soft tannins and well-balanced with a rich blackberry jam finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $17 Pairing suggestions: BBQ, grilled meat and fowl, marinated lamb, pasta, stew, or mature cheese. Talosa Rosso Di Montepulciano DOC Toscana 2020 Talosa is a boutique winery with 33 hectares of vineyards in the heart of Montepulciano in Tuscany and has been owned by the Jacorossi family since 1972. Their historic aging cellar dates back to the 16th century, which is in the old town center of Montepulciano, in an underground area between two of the oldest buildings in the city, Palazzo Tarugi and Palazzo Sinatti. The brick passageways contain a series of vaults and niches where the barrels are placed. The grapes for this wine are 85% Sangiovese, Merlot and Canaiolo, 15%. It is aged in stainless steel, tonneaux, and large barrels for a minimum of three months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and a hint of spice. Palate: Fresh and lively, with notes of plum and sweet cherry, a balsamic undertone, and a touch of spice on the finish. Very nice. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $25 Pairing suggestions: Grilled red and white meat, appetizers, seared tuna, spicy cuisine, or risotto. I hope these wines pique your interest! Below is a delicious recipe for marinated tuna steaks. It is an easy recipe to make and works using the grill, broiler, or a quick sear on the stovetop. I love it! And all of these wines will pair beautifully with it! Marinated Tuna Steaks For The Grill Courtesy of allrecipes.com  Ingredients (for four servings)
 If you try any of the above wines, please share your thoughts and pairings!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com With snow in the forecast for many of us, it’s time to light a fire, prepare a hearty meal, and open a bottle of wine. So here are three palate-pleasing red wines to sip by the fire or enjoy with a meal. And if you’re basking in balmy weather. I’ve included a fresh and sassy white wine! But, of course, all four wines are great to drink any time of year!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Abate Lugana DOC 2021 Lugana DOC is a small denomination located on the southern banks of Lake Garda, which crosses over both the Lombardy and Veneto regions in northern Italy. Lugana is renowned for its white wines and distinctive morainic terroir of penetrating humid clay soils and rich minerals deposited by the glacial moraines of thousands of years ago. The wines are naturally high in acidity with characteristic aromas of white flowers and citrus. Trebbiano (Turbiana) is this region’s signature white grape. The Abate family has been growing grapes here since 1920, but it wasn’t until generations later that they produced their first wine. Abate Wine was founded in 2018 and is owned by Sergio Abate. This wine is 100% Turbiana.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral, peach, apple, citrus, and minerality. Palate: White stone fruit, vibrant acidity, and minerality driven. Notes of lemon, a hint of herbs, and a creamy mouthfeel. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $10 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif, or serve with seafood, light appetizers, mushroom risotto, and salads. Casalforte Valpolicella Superiore DOC 2020 Riondo Winery, founded in 2008, is an offshoot of the cooperative consortium Collis Veneto Wine Group. Valpolicella is east of Lake Garda, situated in the province of Verona. Valpolicella produces the famous grape varieties Corvina, Rondinella, and Oseleta, and it is considered the most famous red wine area in Veneto. Valpolicella was given DOC status in the 1960s. Many styles are produced here, such as Classico, Superiore, Amarone, and Ripasso, and range from light and easy-drinking to powerful and complex wines. This wine is a blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone, and other grapes. It has been aged partly in stainless steel and partly in wood casks for 12 months.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Fragrant aromas of cherry, plum, baking spice, herbs, and hints of yeast. Palate: Rich and silky with cherry, blueberry, anise, vanilla, smooth tannins, and a long finish. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $15.99 Pairing suggestions: Grilled or roasted meat, game, creamy pasta, seared tuna, or aged cheese. Talosa Nobile Di Montepulciano Riserva DOCG 2017 Talosa is a boutique winery with 33 hectares located in the heart of Montepulciano in Tuscany and is owned by the Jacorossi family since 1972. Their historic aging cellar dates back to the 16th century. It is in the old town center of Montepulciano, in an underground area between two of the oldest buildings in the city, Palazzo Tarugi and Palazzo Sinatti. The brick passageways contain a series of vaults and niches where the barrels are placed. In 1980 Vino Nobile became one of the first four appellations given superior status of DOCG, along with Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, and Barbaresco. This wine is 100% Sangiovese. After carefully selecting grapes, the fermentation time is about 20-25 days at controlled temperatures in stainless steel. The maturation is for three years in new oak tonneaux and 2nd passage, big barrels, and stainless steel. The finished wine continues to age in bottle for at least six months before release. It has an aging potential of over 15 years.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Rose petals, berries, cherry, baking spice, and earthy. Palate: Concentrated flavors of dark berries, plum, cherry, and spice. Silky tannins, nice acidity, and understated minerality. Elegant, bold, and structured with a long finish. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $38 Pairing suggestions: Beef, game, hearty stews, pasta, or vegetable pizza. Cuslanus Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico Riserva 2015 Albino Armani Winery has been making wine since 1607. Today, the family project boasts five privately owned estates composed of 330 hectares of vineyards. The family vineyards are in three major Italian wine-growing regions: Veneto, Trentino, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Albino has a strong bond with the land and says, “Sustainability = Viticulture and Social Responsibility.” All of the Albino Armani vineyards since 2019 have been given the SQNPI certification. This national certification aims to help agricultural ecosystems monitor and reduce environmental impact, reducing the use of synthetic chemicals and rationalizing all agronomic practices such as fertilization and irrigation. This wine is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. The grapes are sourced from vineyards in the high hills of the Valpolicella Classico production area at 500 meters. After a careful selection in the vineyard, the grapes are put in trays and left to dry in a drying loft called “fruttaio,” located next to the winery. This “appassimento” process is very slow in order to support the concentration of sugar, structure, and aromas. In the first months of the year following the harvest, the grapes are gently pressed, and then a long and slow fermentation in contact with the skins takes place. After this, the wine is aged for a long time in big barrels and tonneaux until bottling. It is then released to the market after at least four years.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Lovely aromas of dark cherry, berries, spice, and a hint of earth.
Palate: Fine ripe fruit with cherry, red and dark berries, fennel, sweet spice, chocolate, and fine-grained tannins. An elegant and seductive wine. Alcohol: 15.5% SRP: $59.99 Pairing suggestions: Brisket, game, pasta, vegetable stew, truffle risotto, or sip and enjoy on its own. I hope these wines have piqued your interest. I’m ready to cozy up to a roaring fire with a glass of wine and a hearty stew! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. And, at Il Conte Villa Prandone, it takes a determined family to produce noteworthy wines.  From left to right: Samuel, Walter, Emmanuel, and Marina De Angelis Photo courtesy of Il Conte Villa Prandone, Spanning three generations, the De Angelis family has dedicated themselves to making wine since the 1950s. Today, third generation Emmanuel (winemaker), Walter and Samuel (vineyard managers), and Marina ( office management) continue their grandfather and father’s philosophy and tradition. Each generation’s love of the land and passion for work in the vineyards and cellar are evident. Emmanuel De Angelis said, “Our philosophy is very simple. We want to preserve, protect, and respect our land. There are three elements; history, the identity of the territory, and style.” What began with their grandfather planting seven hectares has now grown to 50 hectares under vine.  Photo courtesy of Il Conte Villa Prandone. The winery is situated in the province of Ascoli Piceno, near the enchanting medieval village of Monteprandone in the beautiful Marche region of central Italy.  The vineyards here benefit from the gentle breezes of the Adriatic Sea to the east and the mild currents of the Sibillini Mountains to the west. In addition to the beneficial microclimate, night and day temperature variations help to keep the grapes healthy. The medium-textured clay-limestone soil contributes to aromas and unique flavors. And the terroir is a perfect haven for giving the wines good structure and alcohol content. Most of the wine produced at Il Conte Villa Prandone comes from indigenous grapes, but they also grow a few international varieties. Sustainability and biodiversity are practiced in all of their vineyards. Recently, Il Conte Villa Prandone sent me six wines to try while participating in a fun zoom session with Emmanuel and Mara Bastiani De Angelis, the export manager. These wines are an elegant expression of the land and the family’s passion.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Navicchio Offida Pecorino DOCG 2021 This 100% Pecorino is their only white wine that is vinified and aged in concrete tanks and amphoras. Emmanuel calls it “our diamond. It is a white wine in a red body.” He also said that it has a shelf life of 10+ years.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Floral, spice, citrus, and a hint of yeast. Palate: Lovely acidity, citrus, lots of spice with lemon zest on the finish. Vibrant, fresh, and complex. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $15 Pairing suggestions: Enjoy as an aperitif or serve with seafood, poultry, salads, and mushroom risotto. Donello Marche Sangiovese IGP 2020 This wine is 100% Sangiovese. After fermentation, the wine is preserved in cement tanks before bottling. Mara said, “It is our best-selling wine.” It is intended to be consumed within eight to ten years of the vintage. Nose: Floral, spice, berries Palate: Fresh with cherry, red berries, a hint of violet, spice, and herbs. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $14-15 Pairing suggestions: Grilled meat, mature cheese, hearty stews, or game. Marinus Rosso Piceno Superiore DOP 2017 This is a blend of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese grapes. It is aged for one year in oak barrels. Emmanuel called it “an intense wine.” Nose: Cherry, berries, baking spice, fennel, and a hint of espresso. Palate: Sweet and savory with dark berries, spice, and smooth tannins. Cherry and spice linger on the finish. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $20 Pairing suggestions: Grilled meat, game, seared tuna, hearty pasta, or stews. Zipolo Marche Rosso IGP 2018 This wine is an international blend and is produced in extremely limited quantities. The first bottle was produced in 1999. It is a selection of Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Merlot grapes. The wine is aged 16-24 months in oak barrels and another 12 months in bottle. Emmanuel suggests giving it time to open up, perhaps an hour before serving. Nose: Intense aromas of plum, dark berries, baking spice, and toast. Palate: Concentrated flavors of blackberry, plum, baking spice, and vanilla. Velvety tannins, complex, and well structured. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $25 Pairing suggestions: Roasts, stews, hearty soups, vegetable risotto, and mature cheese. Lu Kont Marche Rosso IGP 2018 This wine is 100% Montepulciano sourced from single vineyards with 50-year-old vines. It is aged in oak barrels for 12 months, then another 12 months in concrete tanks. It rests for at least six months in the bottle before release. Emmanuel suggests opening one hour before serving.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Nose: Fragrant and fruity with berries, baking spice, and herbs.
Palate: Aromas segue onto the palate with pomegranate, cherry, anise, and minerality. It is savory, complex, and elegant. Alcohol: 15% SRP: $30 Pairing suggestions: Roasts, game, poultry, hearty stews, pasta, mushroom risotto. IX Prandone Marche Rosso IGP 2017 The label is a dedication to the town founded in the ninth century. The wine is 100% Merlot that is produced in very limited quantities. It is fermented in concrete tanks for 25-30 days and then aged in oak barrels, concrete tanks, and amphoras for 30 months. It then rests in bottle for one year. Nose: Violet, ripe red fruit, plum, berries, baking spice, and earthy. Palate: Juicy with good structure, cherry, blackberry, spice, and a hint of cocoa. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $80 Pairing suggestions: Grilled meat, game, spicy cuisine, roasted/caramelized vegetables, or charcuterie. I encourage you to explore these wines, and, better yet, put Marche on your bucket list of places to visit and sip a glass of wine surrounded by beauty! Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com My last article about Abruzzo was an introduction to this amazing wine region in Italy. If you missed it, here is the link. thewineknitter.com/1/post/2022/07/auguri-allabruzzo.html While touring Abruzzo, I was introduced to Villamagna DOC, situated in the province of Chieti. It is a very tiny but impressive appellation nestled within a small medieval village filled with history and charm. Villamagna derives its name from an ancient Roman settlement. Villa means “farm,” and magna means “large.” This area is a haven for viticulture. 10 km to the east is the Adriatic Sea, and 10 km to the west are the slopes of the Majella massif, making it a perfect setting for the vineyards here.  Photo courtesy of Valle Martello In the late 1990s, a dedicated team of winemakers and local wineries began studying soil composition, analyzing data from previous decades of harvests, studying vineyard exposure, and clone analysis of the Montepulciano grape. From this study, it was determined that a small area in and around the village of Villamagna was most desirable for the production of “great red wines” from unique clones of the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo.  Photo courtesy of Agricosmimo The Villamagna DOC was established in 2011, focusing on red wines produced from Montepulciano grapes. With only 85 hectares and seven wineries, this DOC’s objective is to make the best red wine in the Abruzzo region, concentrating on quality control and specific aging requirements. To quote Villamagna DOC, “The Controlled Designation of Origin is the result of close collaboration between the Villamagna producing companies, characterized by a strong spirit of belonging and respect for their territory. This is reflected in the strict disciplinary, which requires bottling in the production area of the best Montepulciano grapes, with a low yield per hectare and a high alcohol content that makes the Villamagna DOC an evolution of the species.” The Villamagna DOC wineries are: Agricosimo, Cantina Villamagna, Casina del Colle, Palazzo Battaglini, Piandimare, Torre Zambra, and Valle Martello. The two wines produced in this DOC appellation are Villamagna DOC and Villamagna DOC Riserva. The strict production requirements are as follows: Villamagna DOC Maximum yield per hectare: 12,000 kilos Minimum ABV: 14% Earliest release: November 1st of the second year following harvest Aging (about six months) in oak Villamagna DOC Riserva Maximum yield per hectare: 12,000 kilos Minimum ABV: 14% Earliest release: November 1st of the third year following harvest Aging: (about 12 months) in oak As a comparison, here are the requirements for Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC Maximum yield per hectare: 14,000 kilos Minimum ABV: 11.5% Earliest release: March 1st of the first year following harvest The Villamagna DOC territory benefits from the cool breezes of the sea and wide-range diurnal variation that contributes to the grape’s intense scents and aromas. As one producer said, “The breeze comes from both sides and has a beautiful effect on the vineyards, especially on a hot day. Villamagna is a blessed micro-territory for winemaking. There is a variety of soil composition from one vineyard to another, giving the wines their subtle uniqueness.” A prominent and contributing feature of this area that adds to the elegance of these wines is the clayey soils and calcareous-marly. In addition, the combination of climate and soil helps to produce low yields and very healthy grapes.  Photo credit: Penny Weiss  Photo courtesy of Cascina del Colle I had the opportunity to meet with the winery owners/export managers and enjoy a sampling of what the seven wineries had to offer. Below are two samples. Overall, the wines I tasted had rich and enticing aromas such as dark berries, cherry, baking spice, balsamic notes, and herbs. Typical flavors included dark cherry, blackberry, spice, pepper, herbs, balsamic, and vanilla, along with silky tannins and fresh acidity that was always beautifully balanced. The fresh acidity was more focused in the younger wines, adding a lovely dimension. And the acidity in the aged wines waned but was always present, giving way to more pronounced tannins, which never overpowered the wines but added more complexity. Because of the tannins and acidity, rich food pairs beautifully with these wines. Serve with mature cheese, antipasto, red meat, game, chicken, hearty pasta or stews, and Asian cuisine. Most of these wines are available in the USA, and I highly recommend trying them! We ended our visit with wine, dinner, and music on the main square in town overlooking stunning views of the village. Photo credits of slide show: Penny Weiss As the sun set and the music got livelier, we didn’t want the evening to end. Grazie to Villamagna DOC for a most enjoyable and extremely palate-pleasing afternoon and evening!  Photo credit: Penny Weiss As one producer said, “The wines of Villamagna DOC are eloquent and complex. These wines are the purest expressions of the land.” And I couldn’t agree more!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Although it is not as widely known as some of its more famous neighbors, Le Marche (pronounced Mar-kay) wine region should be on your radar. Le Marche is located on the eastern side of central Italy, nestled between the Apennine Mountains to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east.  There are approximately 60,000 acres of vineyards in Le Marche with varied terroirs throughout. Warm and cool climate zones exist in this region due to the influence of the mountains, rivers and the Adriatic Sea. Calcareous, clay and limestone-rich soils can be found here and are excellent for growing grapes such as the white grapes Trebbiano and Verdicchio that Le Marche is best known for. In fact, Verdicchio has been growing here for over 600 years. Sangiovese and Montepulciano red grapes grow well here as well. The majority of wines in Le Marche are sold as IGT Marche title (Indicazione Geografica Tipica), but the region also has DOC and DOCG titles as indicated on the map below.  Map is courtesy of Federdoc. This past week I was introduced to the wines of Velenosi Winery located just outside the town of Ascoli Piceno. The dynamic Angela Velenosi co-founded the winery in 1984. Angela had no experience, land or capital, but she did have a vision. Her energy and passion led her to become one of the largest family-owned wineries in Le Marche region with a production of 2.5 million bottles per year and over 25 wine labels. Today Velenosi Winery represents all the appellations throughout Le Marche wine region and Angela is known as “the lady of Le Marche”.  Angela Velenosi Photo credit: Velenosi Winery I had the opportunity to taste five wines from the Velenosi portfolio. Passerina Brut NV is made with indigenous 100% Passerina grapes grown in the vineyards of Ascoli Piceno at an altitude of 200-300 meters above sea level. The grapes are hand-harvested and the wine is produced using the Charmat Method. This is a lively, aromatic sparkling wine with soft fruit and flowers on the nose. A palate of citrus, flowers, light fruit, a hint of bread dough, fine bubbles, lively acidity and creamy texture make this wine a delight to drink. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $15.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico 2018 is made with 100% Verdicchio grapes grown in the oldest and original area of Castelli di Jesi, (Marche’s largest DOC area). Verdicchio means, “little green one”. The wines tend to be straw-colored with pronounced green hues and aromas of green fruit. This is a lovely dry wine with floral, fruity and saline aromas that segue onto the palate with green apple giving it the right amount of tartness. The vibrant acidity and a finish of lemon zest make this any easy wine to pair food with. SRP: $15.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Pecorino Offida DOCG Villa Angela 2018 is 100% Pecorino hand-harvested from the vineyards of Ascoli Piceno and Offida at 200-300 meters above sea level. The name Pecorino translated means, “little sheep”, not to be confused with the cheese of the same name. As the story goes, local sheep ate these sweet grapes and considered them a treat. This wine has lots of floral and fruit aromas. The palate shows tropical fruit, spice, fennel, fresh minerality and vibrant acidity. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $15.99  Photo credit: Penny Weiss Lacrima di Morro DOC Querciantica 2018 is 100% Lacrima di Morro d’Alba harvested from vineyards in the municipalities of San Marcello –Ancona. An interesting note about this grape varietal is that after 25 years it stops producing grapes and needs to be replanted. One of its main characteristics is a “rose and violet flavor”. This wine has sweet aromas of floral, strawberry and cherry that segue onto the palate with soft tannins, spice and dark cherry. This is a beautifully structured wine that is light enough to pair with a vast assortment of cuisine. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $15.99 Rosso Piceno DOC Superiore Roggio del Filare 2015 This wine is a blend of 17% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese grapes. Grapes are handpicked from vines that are 50+ years old in the vineyards of Offida and Ascoli Piceno at 200 meters above sea level. This wine was aged for 18 months in new French oak. A beautiful and elegant nose of floral, spice, strawberry and cherry leads to a palate of dark fruit, plum, spice and soft tannins. This is a very expressive wine that is full-bodied and well balanced. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $35  Photo credit: Penny Weiss All of the above wines are expressive of the terroir, exhibiting powerful aromas and complexity but light enough to enjoy with most food or as an aperitf. They are all reasonably priced wines that go a long way in value.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com  I was hoping that the weather would stay warm for this weekend. Although it won’t hit the 70s, I’ll take what Mother Nature is offering, even if it means slipping on warmer shoes while my sandals patiently wait to be worn again. To start the weekend off, I met with a friend on Friday evening for dinner and conversation. We dined at an Italian restaurant with an emphasis on cuisine from central Italy. My friend preferred to drink vodka, so I opted for a glass of wine instead of ordering a bottle for the table. The selection of wines by the glass was limited, but good.  I picked Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Umani Ronchi Podere 2010. I made sure that the waiter opened a new bottle for the pour. The color was deep red bordering on purple. Pleasant aromas of cherry, dark berries and spices were followed by subtle flavors of sour cherry, plum, herbs, pepper and a hint of cocoa. Medium-bodied with soft tannins made this an easy wine to drink. Umani Ronchi produces an impressive 3 million bottles of twenty different wines every year! Click on the website for their fascinating story. http://www.umanironchi.com  Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead tonight before you go to bed!
Happy Saturday! Cheers! Penina  The snow has arrived along with howling winds. I have food, wine, books and movies to entertain me. Let’s hope all the power lines stay intact! Aside from work, writing and meeting friends for quick drinks these past few days, I’ve also been reorganizing my wines. It seems that I’m low on bottles under $20 again. I would love your thoughts and suggestions as to what you drink in the under $20 range. There are so many delicious wines in this price category.  Realizing that I was probably going to be stranded inside for the better part of the weekend, my friend came over last night to shake things up a bit. We opened a bottle of 2010 Lunadoro Vino Nobile di Montepulciano D.O.C.G to have with my homemade spinach quiche. The wine carried us through to salad and pasta with shrimp in vodka sauce. And speaking of lower price points, (average bottle around $16) this Tuscan wine was impressive. Made with 100% Sangiovese grapes, it was the color of dark rubies. The nose had lovely notes of floral, berries, plum and fennel. The palate offered cherry, plum, licorice and a hint of spice. It was medium-bodied with soft tannins, giving rise to a long finish. http://www.lunadoro.com  NFL playoff games tomorrow! What will you be drinking and eating? Happy Saturday!
Cheers! Penina  The sun is shining and I’m heading out soon to have a special lunch with my son to celebrate his birthday! Before I go…  Last night I went to a wine bar with a friend for a fun evening of food, music and of course…wine. We ordered a bottle of 2007 Memo Marco Flacco Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. This ruby colored wine had plum and cherries on the nose. We tasted black cherry and other “fruity” flavors including a hint of cocoa. No tannins and a “jammy” savoriness gave this subtle wine a nice finish. It went well with our appetizers, dinner and even dessert!  Have a great start to the weekend! What will you be drinking tonight?
Cheers! Penina |
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