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Puglia was our last stop on a whirlwind tour in Italy last month.  Puglia is the heel of Italy’s boot and is located in the southeast corner of Italy with the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast.  We flew from the majestic mountainous region of Veneto to the breathtaking coastline of Brindisi, a port city in the Salento region of Puglia.  Brindisi is lush with tropical trees, white sand beaches, abundant sunshine, a dazzling view of the Adriatic Sea and relatively flat land, making it a perfect agricultural area for producing such products as wine, olive oil, artichokes and tomatoes. The city has an exciting vibrancy attracting young and old to its beaches, historical sites, boating and dining on local cuisine in some fab restaurants. Brindisi is a great combination of new and old world charm. Luigi Rubino and his wife Romina Leopardi of Tenute Rubino winery hosted our visit. The moment I met this dynamic couple, I was caught up in their enthusiasm and passion for Puglia, especially for their dedication to preserve ancient viticulture while embracing state-of-the-art practices and also their vision and mission for the near future to put Puglia back on the map and especially Brindisi. Their plan is to build a new winery that includes a small hotel with several amenities overlooking the Adriatic Sea. It is their desire to make Brindisi a tourist destination. For Luigi and Romina the future is tourism, wine and gastronomy!  Luigi and Romina Photo credit: Tenute Rubino It all began with Luigi’s father Tommaso Rubino who back in the 1980s saw the potential of the land in Salento. Over time, Tommaso purchased land that is today divided into four estates. Luigi completed the construction of a new vinification and refining cellar in Brindisi and created the brand Tenute Rubino in 1999, paying homage to his father by promoting the historical vines of Salento that include Negroamaro, Primitivo, Malvasia and Susumaniello. And by 2000, the first bottle of Marmorelle Rosso was released. Just a quick note on the Susumaniello grape: It is an ancient red grape indigenous to Brindisi and grown almost exclusively in the Salento area. It ranks among the world’s rarest of grapes. Tenute Rubino is best identified with Susumaniello. The grapes are grown in the Jaddico estate with an assortment of vines, some of which are 75 years old. Luigi started the Susumaniello project in 2000 with Torre Testa wine. His goal is to reintroduce this rare grape to the world and make it the primary wine of the area. Tenute Rubino owns 500 hectares, of which 200 hectares are under vine located along the shores of the Adriatic Sea stretching inland. Each of the four estates is unique in bringing different expression to the same grapes planted. I encourage you to visit Tenute Rubino website to learn about each estate, the grapes planted, the soil and climate. https://www.tenuterubino.com Slideshow of vineyards and land below. In addition to walking the vineyards and learning about the indigenous grapes, Luigi showed us the blueprints of where he and Romina plan to start their visionary project. It is impressive on paper and one can only imagine how beautiful and magical the complex will be once built! After visiting the vineyards we drove to the winery for a cellar tour and wine tasting with Luigi, Romina and the oenologist, Luca Petrelli. We tasted through six wines, all unique and expressive of the land. 2010 Giancòlo IGT Salento made with 100% Malvasia Bianca from Jaddico estate. Aromatic with honeysuckle, peach, citrus and hints of brine. Bright acidity, fresh with honey, pear and tropical fruit on the palate. SRP: $18 2016 Torre Testa Rosé IGT Salento made with 100% Susumaniello from Jaddico estate. Fresh berries and a touch of salinity on the nose. The palate offers strawberry and Bing cherry. Crisp and refreshing. SRP: $16 2016 Oltremé IGT Salento made with 100% Susumaniello from Jaddico estate. Heady aromas of deep cherry and dark plum. Rich and smooth with lush dark cherry, chocolate, spice and a hint of anise on the palate. This is a “best seller” in USA market and one of my favorites! SRP: $11 to $14 2016 Miraglio DOC Brindisi made with 100% Negroamaro from Uggio estate. Aromas of dark berries, pepper, herbs and spice. The palate offers nice layers of blackberry, plum and hints of floral with medium tannins. SRP: $11 to $14 2015 Jaddico DOC Brindisi Riserva from Jaddico estate. Made with 80% Negroamaro and 20% Susumaniello Aromas of cherry, dark berries, pomegranate and hint of spice. The palate offers dark, juicy fruit with a smooth and rich texture. SRP: $25 2016 Torre Testa IGT Salento made with 100% Susumaniello from Jaddico estate. This is an elegant wine and it is another favorite of mine. The nose offers dark berries with fresh fruit, plums and sweet spice. The palate is layered with rich “jammy” dark fruit and spice. Full-bodied and a beautiful balance of acidity and tannins. SRP: $40 Over the course of two days we sampled many of Tenute Rubino wines with our meals. And speaking of food, Romina and Luigi own a fantastic restaurant called Numero Primo, a wine bar on the Brindisi waterfront. Slideshow below of small sampling of food & wine Tenuto Rubino also makes three outstanding extra virgin olive oils ranging from light and fruity to intense fruity. The olive oil is so good, I could drink it!  Photo credit: Tenute Rubino Every year the Jaddico estate hosts the Women’s Harvest Festival celebrating the local women who work year-round in the vineyards from tending the vines to harvest time. The festival honors the commitment and skill of the women who make up the team. The festival is open to the public to enjoy wine, food, singing and dancing. This is a beautiful way to pay homage to the hard and dedicated work of these women.  Photo credit: Tenute Rubino Our last night in Brindisi was spectacular. Romina and Luigi hosted a small party on a cruising catamaran complete with music, food, wine and a singing captain! It gave us a chance to see the coastline of Brindisi from the water, experience a beautiful sunset and admire some impressive architecture! It was truly a night to remember. Slideshow below. I look forward to returning to Puglia and hopefully, I will get to see the completion of Luigi and Romina’s vision for Brindisi in the not too distant future!
If you can’t make it to Puglia anytime soon, buy a bottle of Tenute Rubino and pour yourself a glass. I can assure you that with each sip the wine will tell you a story of the terroir, sea, history and tradition of this enchanting region. Thank you to Luigi and Romina for allowing me to look at Puglia through your eyes and for the opportunity to taste your impressive wines. I look forward to sharing your parting gifts with family and friends. Until next time… Cheers! Penina Veneto is a beautiful region in the northeastern part of Italy.  With the eastern Dolomite Mountains, Carnic Alps, Venetian Pre-alps and the Adriatic Sea as its backdrop, the landscape just doesn’t get any better or more dramatic. It is simply breathtaking at every turn.  The Veneto region is filled with small historic towns, hamlets, ancient castles and is home to the famous cities of Venice, Verona, Padua and Treviso. With a population of just under five million, Veneto is the 5th largest region in Italy.  About 26 miles north of the Treviso airport are the small towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, the home of Prosecco Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, where some of the finest Prosecco is made. The area is also called Prosecco Superiore DOCG.  Conegliano Valdobbiadene has ancient origins of vine growing dating back to the Roman Empire, but the first written documentation of connecting Prosecco to this area is 1772. With the D.O.C. being established here in 1969, historic production of Prosecco has been limited to 15 communes. In 2009, Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG certification was issued. It is a countryside filled with hills and rolling slopes rising up from the Piave River. From early origins, a glacier slid down from the Dolomites and came to rest in a valley that eventually became the riverbed of the Piave. The river begins in the Alps and flows into the Adriatic Sea. The local soil is attributed to this glacier and can vary depending upon the slope of the hill. Some areas contain rock, sand, clay and iron oxides. In areas unaffected by the glacier, the soils contain marls and sandstone and are less deep and more porous. 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 Superiore. In 1946, Epifanio Dal Bianco founded Masottina Winery located in Conegliano. Realizing the potential of the land, he expanded the family’s vineyards year by year. His eldest son Adriano and wife Franca and two brothers, Valerio and Renzo joined Masottina, advancing the company into the world of production. Adriano became an oenologist, graduating from Conegliano Oenological School where he learned the skills needed to take Masottina to a “cutting-edge, world-renowned” winery. Adriano remains CEO and winemaker and his wife Franca takes care of administration. Renzo is head of vineyards management  Adriano Dal Bianco Adriano’s three sons represent the third generation, with Filippo as sales manager for the Domestic Market and a few International Markets, Frederico as Marketing & Sales Manager and Edoardo who takes care of the production system. The family’s experience, work ethic, love of the land and passion for quality is evident in the wines they produce. Masottina has about 300 hectares of vineyards of which half are located in the historical Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG, including the area in the Rive of Ogliano, where Masottina produces their most elegant and expressive wines. Ogliano is in the easternmost hills of Conegliano and “Rive” refers to the most prized position on the hill. Below is a slideshow of Masottina and its breathtaking views. Masottina introduced “Rive di Ogliano” wines in 2009. The grapes are hand harvested and originate from only one location. Vintage and harvest location are indicated on the labels. “Contrada Granda” Rive di Ogliano Brut “Le Rive di Ogliano” Rive di Ogliano Extra Dry Some of Masottina’s other sparkling wines are: Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut, Extra Dry and Brut Biologico. Prosecco Doc Treviso Brut, Extra Dry and Prosecco Doc Brut Biologico Cuvée Rosé Extra Dry I have written several stories about the sparkling wines from Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG and I always enjoy drinking the wines from this area. However, I am in awe of how Masottina has taken Prosecco to another level. The wines are intensely aromatic with a wide range of flavors including citrus, tropical fruit, stone fruit, spice, floral and mineral. From the entry-level wines to the more complex Rive de Ogliana wines, each style is unique and expressive. And whichever Masottina sparkling wine you choose, it is the right choice! In addition to sparkling wine, Masottina also produces a small range of still wines under the label “Ai Palazzi” from their estates in the Colli di Conegliano and Tenuta Ai Palazzi, located in the province of Treviso. Masottina wines range in price from approximately $15 to $30. For more information about Masottina, their complete wine collection and availability of wines in your area, please visit: http://www.masottina.it Venice is approximately 39 miles south of Conegliano and a trip to Veneto would not be complete without visiting the “city of canals”. A private water taxi whisked us off for an enchanting afternoon and evening in Venice. We dined at a beautiful restaurant with our host Frederico Dal Bianco and tasted more of Masottina’s impressive wines. It was a very overcast day, but Venice never looked more beautiful to me! On our final day in Veneto, we toured the areas of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, stopping to see historic sites that included Molinetto Della Croda, a 17th-century water mill and Abbazia Cistercense Santa Maria di Follina that dates back to the 12th century. The slideshow below depicts aspects of the tour including photos from our stay in the town of Conegliano. And yes, here is a sampling of the amazing food we had while in Veneto. As you can see, Veneto has much to offer and I can’t wait to return!
Grazie to the Dal Bianco family for your generous hospitality and for sharing your exceptional wines! Cheers! Penina All photos by Penny Weiss To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Recently I visited three regions in Italy: Sicily, Veneto and Puglia. Each region is stunningly unique in topography, climate, wine, food and culture.  Over the next few weeks, I will be writing about my experiences and impressions of these regions, starting today with Sicily.  Here are a few interesting facts about Sicily. It is the largest Mediterranean island surrounded by the Ionian, Tyrrhenian and the Mediterranean seas. It is an island rich in culture and history with human activity dating back to around 12,000 BC. Sicily is considered a melting pot of ethnicities that include North Africa, Middle East, Greeks, Romans and Spaniards to name a few. There are roughly five million people living in Sicily today, making it the fourth most populated region in Italy. Santa Cristina Gela is a village in the province of Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and this is where my story begins. Situated on a picturesque background of gently rolling hills, valleys, vineyards, olive groves and mountains rising in the distance, sits Baglio Di Pianetto, a 100% organic winery. In addition to making noteworthy wines, Baglio Di Pianetto also offers hospitality and wine-tourism. Agrirelais Baglio is a charming guesthouse with well-appointed rooms and a restaurant offering excellent traditional and local cuisine. One can relax at the pool or enjoy a quiet moment in the reading room. Here is a slideshow of the beauty surrounding Agrirelais. And, if you’re fortunate to be visiting while Count and Countess Marzotto are there, you will be warmly greeted, as we were upon our arrival!  Count and Countess Marzotto Count Paolo Marzotto began researching the art of winemaking at a young age. His research and curiosity took him to many different regions across Italy, but he finally returned to his beloved Sicily in 1997 to Baglio Di Pianetto with a determination to fulfill his dream and passion for winemaking. And now, twenty years later, he has achieved an ideal balance between “tradition and innovation”. Paying homage to the environment, Baglio Di Pianetto is 100% organic and practices sustainable production in a state of the art facility. And every bottle of wine produced tells a story of the vines, the land and Sicily.  The vineyards of Baglio Di Pianetto are divided between two estates, Tenuta Pianetto and Tenuta Baroni. Tenuta Pianetto, located in Northwest Sicily, has 88 hectares that fall under the Monreale’s DOC. The high altitude, micro-climate conditions and soils of clay and siliciclastic sedimentary rocks set the stage for growing Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grillo, Cataratto, Inzolia, Viognier and Petit Verdot. Tenuta Baroni is located in Southeast Sicily, close to Noto and just a few miles from the sea. The vineyards stretch over 70 hectares and except for Syrah, most of the grapes grown here are indigenous such as Nero d’Avola, Frappato, and Moscato di Noto. Mild temperatures, with low amounts of rainfall and soils of sand and limestone are conducive to growing these grapes. Both estates have olive groves and olive oil is produced from each estate. Renato De Bartoli, past winemaker and now CEO of Baglio Di Pianetto, gave us a guided tour of the facility. All grapes go through vinification where they are grown. However, the wine from both estates is aged in vats or barriques in Pianetto. The barrique and bottle cellars are located 32 meters below ground. (see drawing below)  The temperature in the processing areas is regulated using natural insulation of rock and earth that surround the levels of the cellar. All the wine is bottled and packaged here at the Pianetto Estate. After our tour of the cellar, we tasted 18 wines from both estates. The wines were impressive, food friendly and captured the essence of respect for the land that Count Marzotto set out to achieve. Baglio Di Pianetto has four collections: Classici A blend of Sicilian and French grapes Riserve Native and foreign mono-varietals Naturali Unfiltered wines introduced in 2017 Monovarietali Bio Organic mono-varietals with an emphasis on “producing wine with a distinctive Sicilian connotation”. Although each wine was quite memorable on my palate, I did have a few favorites. Ficiligno Classici 2017 DOC Sicilia is 50% Insolia and 50% Viognier Ficiligno is named after the stone found in the soil at Pianetto Estate. The color is pale yellow with fragrant floral notes. Palate offers citrus, tropical fruit, honey and minerality. Ginolfo Riserve 2013 DOC Sicilia is 100% Viognier and is named after a clastic sedimentary rock found in Santa Cristina di Gela area. The color is vibrant gold and very aromatic with tropical fruit notes, spice and pear. Palate offers tropical fruit, honey caramel and hints of anise. This is a dry wine and quite refreshing. Ramione Classici DOC Sicilia is a 50/50 blend of both estates, Merlot from Pianetto and Nero d’Avola from Baroni. Color is royal ruby with red berry, spice and fennel aromas that segue onto the palate. It is a full-bodied wine with medium tannins and a hint of candy apple on finish. Cembali Riserve 2011 IGT Sicilia is 100% Nero d’Avola. Ruby red color with exhilarating aromas of dark berries, dark plum, spice and herbs. The palate is layered with intense dark berries, pomegranate, spice, and hints of balsamic and soft tannins. Salici Riserve 2012 IGT Sicilia is 100% Merlot. The aromas are intense with notes of dark berries, cherry, floral, and cloves. The wine is full-bodied and the palate is layered with dark raspberry, blackberry, plum, anise and subtle spices. The finish is long and jammy with velvety tannins. Superb! Ra’is Essenza Riserve IGT Terre Siciliane is 100% Moscato di Noto. This is a lovely dessert wine. Color is soft amber and it is very aromatic. Palate offers apricot, orange zest and honey with hints of marzipan on the finish. It is slightly sweet, but not cloying. Prices range from about $11 to $33 per bottle and the wines are distributed in the USA and abroad. On our last night in Palermo, we went on a walking tour of the old town and dined at one of the local restaurants. Palermo was founded in 734 BC. and its architecture represents Roman, Greek and Arabic design. Several palazzi and churches in Palermo are on Unesco’s World Heritage List. A slideshow is below depicting some of the architecture in Palermo. One of many treats while in the old town of Palermo was attending a preview of ArteInTavola Exhibition at Palazzo Bonocore,(16th century). The palazzo overlooks the Piazza Pretoria, (also known as “Square of Shame” due to all the nude statues), the Church of Santa Caterina (1566-1596) and Palazzo Bordonaro (16th century). The ArteInTavola Exhibition was a display of pottery, crystal, china and silverware, both historical and modern. Our group was allowed to choose any wineglass from the exhibit to drink from. As excited as we were, it was quite a responsibility to hold the glass without fear of breaking it. I chose a Versace wineglass and was thrilled to drink Baglio Di Pianetto Ra’is Essenza Riserve from it. Sweets from the Monastery of Santa Catarina were paired with the wine. Unfortunately for us, we had to return the wineglasses prior to leaving.   And no story is complete without showing you a few food and wine photos! Sicilian cuisine is a mixture of many cultures both past and present. Couscous, local fish, red prawns, sardines, artichokes and freshly made cheese can be found on most menus. And yes…let me emphasize the word FRESH…everything is fresh! Sicily has never disappointed me with the quality of wines that are produced here and Baglio Di Pianetto is no exception. These are expressive wines that tell a tale and have definitely left a memorable impression on my palate. Thank you, Count and Countess Marzotto and Baglio Di Pianetto for your gracious hospitality and most educational and fun-filled stay! Cheers to you!  Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com It is a sultry 80 degrees outside. And while most wine lovers might be reaching for a chilled white or rosé wine, I’m in the mood for something rich and red. And, I found just the right wine hiding in my wine room that will surely satisfy my palate. It is my last bottle of LAN Rioja Crianza 2010.  Rioja wine region is located in North Central Spain, in a valley along the Ebro River.  Rioja is divided into three sub-regions: Rioja Baja, Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.  Bodegas LAN is located in the town of Fuenmayor, bordering the Ebro River in the sub-region of Rioja Alta.  Photo credit: Wine Enthusiast The winery was founded in 1972 and is a subsidiary of Sogrape Vinhos, which is a conglomeration of companies and brands. Enrique Abiega serves as the managing director of Bodegas LAN. The name “LAN” is an acronym using the initials of each of the three provinces that form the D.O.Ca in Rioja: Logroño, Alava and Navarra. To quote the winery, “LAN means respect for the history of this land”. The Viña Lanciano vineyard is comprised of 72 hectares in Rioja Alta and is protected from the wind and cold weather by the Sierra Cantabria Mountains which in turn generates a microclimate. The vineyard is divided into 24 plots of Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano and Garnacha vines, with many of the vines averaging sixty years of age. The soil is diverse and made up of mostly limestone, clay and is very stony. Having deep respect for the earth and balance of nature, Bodegas LAN practices sustainable viticulture and refrains from the use of chemical fertilizers. Grapes are hand-harvested and individually selected by hand once they reach the winery to make sure that only the best clusters are chosen. Above photos courtesy of Bodegas LAN Views of the vineyards and stony soil. A wine that is labeled crianza means that it has spent one year in oak barrels.  Bodegas LAN Rioja Crianza 2010 is made from 100% Tempranillo grapes. The wine is aged for one year in hybrid barrels of American and French oak that have been incorporated into one barrel. The wine rests in the bottle for an additional nine months before release. The color is dark cherry with lovely aromas of red cherry, ripe fruit, spice and hints of earth and herbs. The palate is filled with layers of sweet and sour cherry, cranberry, licorice, spice and hints of pepper. This is a full-bodied wine with silky tannins and good structure. The wine has aged well. Alcohol: 13.5%  It might be hard to find a 2010 vintage, but I’m curious to try some of their later vintages. I’m guessing my palate will be quite pleased!  Until next time!
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com Imagine scenic valleys embracing storybook Alpine villages. Add snow-capped mountains that surround the villages and you have arrived in Alto Adige, the northernmost wine region of Italy. Noted for its dramatic peaks, Alto Adige is bordered by Austria and Switzerland and is one of Italy’s smallest winegrowing regions. It also dominates the country in wine worthy of a DOC designation, with 98% of its wines falling into this category!  Alto Adige enjoys a mild Alpine-continental climate with big temperature swings between day and night, averaging a temperature of 64 degrees during the grape growing stage. There are over 300 days of sun per year with approximately 27 inches of rainfall per year. The Dolomites protect the vineyards from cold winds coming from the north. And to the south, where the land is open, warm air currents waft over the winegrowing vineyards coming from Lake Garda and the Mediterranean. The lowest vineyards are at 750 feet and the highest vineyards reach 3,250 feet above sea level. The average elevation is approximately 1,600 feet. Alto Adige has a broad range of soils such as volcanic porphyry, quartz, limestone, dolomite and sandy marl. The soils combined with the climate make for an ideal stage on which to grow high-quality grapes. More than sixty percent of the region’s vineyards are white grape varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer and Veltiliner. Approximately forty percent of the vineyards are red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Malvasier, Schiava, Lagrein and Moscato Rosa. My focus today is on Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir, specifically from the winery of Peter Zemmer.  Peter Zemmer winery is one of the oldest wineries in Alto Adige. It is located in Cortina, one of the smallest communities in Alto Adige with 600 inhabitants in the village. It is situated in the middle of the valley floor, near the Adige River. Cortina is a world-renowned ski resort and was host to the 1956 Winter Olympics Games. Peter’s grandfather founded the winery in 1928 and Peter is now the third generation in this family-run winery. Peter says “The cultivation of vineyards has been an important part of our family history for almost a century. The third generation still shows the same enthusiasm for wine. Culture and nature, tradition and innovation, great respect and development, I love and live my environment.”  Peter Zemmer Photo credit Peter Zemmer website.  Village of Cortina Grapes grow on the mountain valley floor and steep surrounding hillsides. The winery practices sustainability, uses only organic fertilizer and uses natural winemaking techniques. Peter Zemmer Rolhüt Pinot Noir DOC 2017 Pinot Nero is the Italian name for Pinot Noir. However, both names can be seen on bottles produced in Italy. Although this region might be more popular for its white wines, red varietals grow well here, including Pinot Noir. Rolhüt is 100% Pinot Noir and the grapes come from the 15-acre Rolhüt site located in the immediate vicinity of the winery. The vineyards sit at an elevation of 1,400 feet and contain soils of loam, chalk and porphyry. 70% of the Pinot Noir is aged over 12 months in large French oak barrels and the remainder is aged in small, 2-3-year-old French oak casks. After blending both, the wine is then bottled and aged for an additional 6 months.  The color of the wine is cherry red with fragrant aromas of cherry, flowers, red berries, sweet apples and spice. The palate offers a crisp, light and savory wine with smooth tannins and layers of fresh strawberry, sour cherry, spice and hints of red plum. Sour cherry, subtle notes of minerality and spice linger on the finish. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $18 Peter Zemmer Pinot Grigio DOC If you have been following my stories, you might have gleaned by now that I’m not a big fan of Pinot Grigio. Well, my opinion has changed dramatically after enjoying this Alpine Pinot Grigio! The grapes are selected from the best vineyards located on the valley floor and steep slopes located near the estate. The soils are stony, sandy and extremely chalky. The poor yield per hectare produces more concentrated flavors and contributes to the quality of this wine. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using pure strains of yeast and then spends several months of ripening on the yeast to achieve this well-structured wine.  The color of the wine is soft yellow and has a very aromatic bouquet of floral, citrus, pineapple and honeydew. The wine envelops the palate with lively layers of white flowers, pear, citrus, minerality and fresh acidity. It finishes with a dash of zest and lingering pear. Oh, my…
Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $18 The combination of the Alpine air and southern sun in the Alto Adige is producing some outstanding wines that reflect the character of this region. If you haven’t tasted any wines from this magical area, I encourage you to run…not walk…to a wine shop and experience for yourself how truly heavenly and unique these wines are! Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com The other evening I had a craving for a glass of Malbec. I have a nice selection to choose from, but one in particular caught my eye. It was my last bottle of Casa Marguery Malbec 2012 from Mendoza, Argentina. I gave this wine a “thumbs up” a few years ago. So, I was curious to see if it would please my palate again.  Over 70% of all Argentine wine is produced in Mendoza and of that amount, 85% is Malbec. Mendoza is located in the eastern foothills of the Andes where the climate is dry and continental, making it an ideal environment for these high altitude vineyards during the grape-growing season. Mendoza has several sub-regions that include Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. See map below.  Familia Marguery was founded in the year 2000 by Guillermo Donnerstag, a philosophy professor at the University in Mendoza. The winery is located in Cruz de Piedra, tucked away in a corner of Mendoza in the south of the city of Maipú. The wines are produced inside a converted barn with the assistance of enologist Pedro Rosell. The Malbec grapes come from the vineyards in La Consulta in Uco Valley region and Vistalba in Lujan de Cuyo region.  Guillermo Donnerstag Photo credit Familia Marguery  The Familia Marguery 2012 Casa Malbec is a beautiful blend of grapes from the regions specified above. The color is deep ruby with strong notes of cherry, berries, pomegranate and spice. The palate opens with lots of lush dark fruit, plum and spice. There is a mild oakiness that dissipates quickly and ends with black cherry and pepper on the finish. Firm tannins, full-bodied and lively, this is definitely another “thumbs up” or two! Alcohol 14% SRP: $15  My guess is that it will be hard to find any more 2012 vintages, but the next time you’re browsing the Malbec section and spot a bottle of Casa Marguery, pick up a bottle or two.  Until next time!
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 A few days ago I had the opportunity to taste a large sampling of wines from Croatia. With twenty-two wineries represented, my palate was treated to some very impressive wines.  Today’s post is a general overview of Croatian wine. I will be getting into a more in-depth study of each region, the wines, producers and some history in future posts. Croatia stretches over Central and Southeastern Europe with a very long coastline hugging the Adriatic Sea.  There are four wine regions throughout Croatia with twelve sub-regions and 66 appellations. The climate and soils vary throughout these regions. The Adriatic coastline enjoys typical Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Further inland in Central Croatia, the Dinaric Alps run parallel to the Adriatic Sea creating an alpine climate at the higher altitudes. Depending on the region, one can find a variety of soils, with white soils of limestone, iron-rich clay soils and stony karst soil being the most dominant. Here is a fun fact: Croatia is home to the Slavonian oak forest, which provides oak for the casks preferred by many European winemakers for aging their finest wines!  There are 130 indigenous grape varieties in Croatia of which 40 are in production. Over 60% of wine produced in Croatia is white. Here is a list of just a few of the indigenous grape varieties: Red grapes Tribidrag is genetically identical to Zinfandel and the oldest recorded name for the variety. Plavac Mali (offspring to Zinfandel) and considered “king of the Croatian wines”. Teran found mostly in western Istria region Babić found mostly in the Central Dalmatia region White grapes Graševina (most planted grape variety in Croatia) Pošip found mostly in Dalmatia region Malvazija Istarska (second most planted grape in Croatia) Grk found mostly on Lumbarda, a small island off the coast Debit found primarily in the Dalmatia region Generally speaking, the majority of white wines that I tasted were very aromatic, dry, crisp, light and fresh, with a perfect balance of fruit, citrus, and minerality. I must admit that the white wines were my favorite. The red wines run the gamut from soft to chewy tannins with layers of dark fruit, spice and herbs that are full-bodied and robust to softer medium-bodied reds of cherry, sweet berries, spice and floral. I tasted a few rosés that were very impressive, including a standout from Vina Laguna Perla Rosé NV made with Teran grapes. Vina Laguna is located in the Istria wine region.  Vina Laguna Perla Rosé Among the many producers present was Grgić Vina Winery, owned by winemaker Mike Grgich, who became famous in 1976 when his Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won first prize at the “Judgment of Paris.” Both his Pošip 2016 (white) and Plavac mali 2015 (red) were outstanding. His winery is located in the Peljesac Peninsula, part of the Dalmatia region.  In addition to the wines, I tasted amazing olive oil from several producers. Wow---just wow! As I said earlier, this is just a quick introduction to Croatian wine…I have more to cover! The names of the varietals can be daunting, but I hope I have peaked your curiosity enough to pick up a bottle the next time you’re in a wine shop. If you do, share your thoughts with me!  Cheers!
Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com My mouth was still tingling with delight after tasting and reviewing several bottles of wine from Alentejo, Portugal last week. So, last night I opened a bottle of wine from northern Portugal’s Douro Valley region.  My palate was not disappointed!  Douro is famous for supplying the world with its production of port wine. However, it is now being praised for its succulent and refined unfortified wines, both red and white. Quinta da Zaralhôa is a family owned estate with 12 hectares located in the sub-region of Douro Superior.  Photo courtesy of Wines of Portugal This sub-region experiences extremely cold winters and very hot summers. The vines grow in schist soil on steep slopes with the vineyards facing southwest, exposing them to less sun. With less sun exposure, the grapes are allowed a longer time to ripen, developing flavors without excess sugar impeding the acid levels. At Quinta da Zaralhôa harvest takes place in October. Farming is certified organic and sustainable. Grapes are crushed with the tradition of stomping the grapes with their feet, in the belief that it is the best way to maximize the juice’s contact with the skin without crushing the seeds. Photo credit Quinta da Zaralhôa Quinta da Zaralhôa Rumansil 2012 is a blend of indigenous grapes; 25%Touriga Nacional, 25%Touriga Franca, 25%Tinta Roriz, and 25% Tinta Barroca. The wine is named after Rumansil, a Roman villa of the 3rd century, located next to Quinta da Zaralhôa. The wine is aged in French oak for 2 years. Prior to bottling, different lots are selected for the final blend and then aged for one year in bottle.  The color of the wine is burgundy with intoxicating aromas of dark fruit, floral and spice. The palate is layered with a rich concentration of dark berries, plums, spice, fennel, hints of cocoa and finishes with cherry and pepper. Silky tannins, good acidity, fresh and juicy! Alcohol: 13% SRP: $25 Wines from Douro are becoming more and more popular and run the gamut in price. If you haven’t already tried these wines, I encourage you to treat your palate!  Cheers!
Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at wineknittercomments@gmail.com A few weeks ago I opened a bottle of Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec 2014 from Chile. I intended to give a “shout out” to this expressive wine, but days got away from me and I never got around to writing about it. And then, yesterday I received several bottles of Malbec from Chile and Argentina. One of the bottles was a Concha y Toro Gran Reserva Malbec 2016. So, I thought it would be interesting to compare the 2014 and 2016 vintages.  The Gran Reserva Serie Riberas is also known as “Riverbank Series”. These are single-vineyard wines grown close to one of Chile’s major rivers, the Rapel, Cachapoal and Tinguirica. The Malbec vineyards are planted on the south bank of the Tinguirica River. The Palo Santo Vineyard is located 180 meters above sea level. The climate is Mediterranean with an extended dry season and the river and coastal breezes influence the temperature. Marcio Ramírez is the chief winemaker for the Gran Reserva Serie Riberas. Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec 2014 is made with 90% Malbec and 10% Syrah. The color is deep purple with tantalizing aromas of dark fruit, dark plum, blueberries, blackberries and spice. The palate is layered with dark berries, dark plum, hints of blueberries, nutmeg, pepper and dark chocolate. This wine has a beautiful concentration of flavors and is full-bodied with soft tannins. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $17  Gran Reserva Serie Riberas Malbec 2016 is made with 85% Malbec and 15% Merlot. The color is dark purple with concentrated aromas of blueberries, plum, spice, pepper and hints of floral. The palate offers lush dark fruit, black cherries, plum and spice with a long finish of pepper and sour cherry. It is medium-bodied with soft tannins. Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $17  The 2016 vintage has a tad more spice and has earthiness, but both vintages are easy to drink and they will pair well with many foods.
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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