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You might be wondering what Malbec World Day is and why it’s celebrated on April 17th. I was curious as well, so I did a little research. In 2011, Lis Clément who at the time was head of Marketing and Communications of Wines of Argentina established Malbec World Day. Her goal was to communicate to the world that Malbec was the “pearl” of Argentina. April 17th is significant because it commemorates the day back in1853 when Argentina’s president, Domingo Faustino Sarmineto formally began his quest to transform Argentina’s wine industry. Today, Argentina is the leading producer of Malbec in the world. And according to Wines of Argentina, it has over 97 acres of vineyards planted across the country. To get in the spirit of Malbec World Day, I was sent a few bottles of wine to review from Bodega Colomé winery situated in the Upper Calchaquí valleys in the Salta region of northwestern Argentina.  Bodega Colomé is considered one of the highest altitude wineries in the world ranging from 2300 to 3111 meters above sea level. The estate was founded in 1831 and is one of the oldest running wineries in Argentina, which is now owned by the Hess Family since 2001.  The high altitude, maximum sun exposure and extreme day to night temperatures of up to 36-degree difference in the Salta region create a perfect scenario for producing intense and expressive wines of Torrontés and Malbec, the signature grape varieties of this area.  Colomé Estate Malbec 2016 is 100% Malbec blended from four estate vineyards. Colomé vineyard surrounds the winery at an altitude of 2300 meters and represents 65% of the blend. El Arenal vineyard is at 2700 meters and represents 25% of the blend, followed by Altura Máxima vineyard at 3111 meters and La Brava vineyard at 1700 meters, each contributing 5% of the blend. The wine is aged for 15 months in French oak barrels and 6 months in the bottle. Dark purple in color, the nose is greeted with intensely dark and red fruit aromas, floral notes and spice. The palate offers sumptuous flavors of blackberry, blueberry, violet, nutmeg, dark chocolate and a hint of pepper. Tannins are medium with a velvety mouthfeel. This is a beautiful wine to drink now and it will only get better with age. Alcohol: 14.9% SRP: $25  Colomé Auténtico Malbec 2017 is 100% Malbec. The grapes are grown at an altitude of 2300 meters and harvested from vineyards over 100-years-old. The wine is produced in the old winemaking style, using ancient techniques such as pigeage and no oak influence. This is another intensely dark purple color with aromas of dark fruit, cherries, sweet spice and a hint of floral. The palate is lush with concentrated dark fruit, baking spice, sweet plum and the slightest hint of pepper on the finish. It is fresh and crisp with soft tannins and a lengthy finish. This wine has lots of energy and is truly expressive of the terroir. Alcohol: 14.5% SRP: $30 Although this story is about Malbec World Day, I would be remiss if I didn’t introduce another aromatic and flavorful flagship white grape of this region.  Colomé Torrontés 2018 is 100% Torrontés and harvested from the La Brava vineyards. Due to the microclimate, solar exposure and altitude, the grapes make expressive wines that are aromatic and have great acidity. The color of this wine is pale lemon with heady floral aromas of rose petals, peach and hints of citrus and apricot. Perfume, honeydew, pear, grapefruit and a trace of sweet spice linger on a long finish. This is a beautifully balanced wine with fresh acidity. It was quite enjoyable as an aperitif! Alcohol: 13.5% SRP: $15  So, on April 17th, open a bottle of Malbec and savor this full-bodied wine with its rich fruit flavors and you’ll see what the celebration is all about!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] When last I spoke of “Rubio” and “Blanca” in 2016, Rubio was on his Vespa either running away with a case of wine or pursuing Blanca in the hopes of sharing the wine with her. These whimsical labels certainly conjure up all sorts of scenarios!  Paolo Masi, who is a third-generation winemaker at Renzo Masi winery, makes both of these wines. Fattoria di Basciano is the estate owned by the Masi family since the start of the 1900s. Located in the south of Florence in Tuscany’s Rufina district, the estate sits on a hill overlooking the Argomenna Valley on one side and the right bank of the Sieve river on the other. It is considered one of the best areas for Sangiovese grapes after the “Classico” region.  Renzo Masi winery Photo credit: Renzo Masi The Renzo Masi winery produces a broad spectrum of wines from entry-level to fine wines. Renzo Masi’s motto is “Big enough to be broad-minded. Small enough to care about the details”. Affectionately called “Rubio and “Blanca”, Il Bastardo Sangiovese di Toscana IGT 2017 and La Bastarda Pinot Grigio di Siciliane 2017 are entry-level wines with an impressive “bang for the buck!” La Bastarda Terre Siciliane IGP 2017 is 100% Pinot Grigio from Sicily. Grapes are picked before they lose their natural acidity and become too sweet. The color of the wine is pale yellow with citrus notes, floral, and peach on the nose. My palate was entertained with flavors of grapefruit, lemon, honeysuckle, peach and hints of green apple. This is a fresh and lively wine with good acidity and balance. Serve as an aperitif or pair with shellfish, light pasta, fish and mild cheese. I think Blanca has the right idea to sip this wine while enjoying the beach. Alcohol:12.5% SRP: $9  Il Bastardo Rosso di Toscana IGT 2017 is 100% Sangiovese mostly picked from Tuscany’s Rufina district, but also includes grapes from nearby vineyards. The color of the wine is dark ruby with aromas of cherry, dark berries and hints of spice that segues onto the palate with a touch of fennel and pepper on the finish. This is a medium-bodied wine with soft tannins and a silky mouth-feel. Pair with grilled meat, fowl, pasta and cheese. Alcohol: 13% SRP: $9  I can certainly understand why Rubio might want to abscond with Il Bastardo wine to keep for himself. But being a romantic, I’d like to think that Rubio is in hot pursuit of Blanca and can’t wait to share a bottle of Sangiovese with her. And, although Blanca, a strong and independent woman appears to be quite content sitting by herself with a delicious glass of Pinot Grigio, I think she is longing for the day when Rubio will ride up on his Vespa to join her. What do you think?
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Over the past several weeks I’ve been tasting and exploring wines for yet another wine certification that I am presently studying for. I always enjoy exploring wine regions from around the world via my wine glass and with this wine course I’m sampling lots and lots of wine.  For the most part, I prefer bone-dry to slightly off-dry wines. Although I am not partial to sweet wines, I do enjoy a variety of dessert wines from Hungary, Sicily, France and Germany to name just a few countries. And then there is Riesling. Riesling is a white aromatic grape and the most widely planted grape variety in Germany. One of the many great things about German Riesling is the variety of sweetness and styles available to drink. The styles range from bone-dry to very sweet and German wine labels make it very easy to choose a style of Riesling to suit one’s palate. Wines are usually variety labeled and classified by the level of sugar in the grape juice called “must weight”. There are four quality categories: Deutscher Wein, Landwein, Qualitätswein (QbA) and Prädikatswein. Prädikatswein category is divided into levels of ripeness that the grapes have achieved by the time they are harvested. These levels are Kabinett, Spätlese, Auslese, Beerenauslese, Eiswein and Trockenbeerenauslese. As you can see by the chart, Trockenbeerenauslese is the sweetest.  Photo courtesy of GermanWineEstates As part of the course requirement, I recently opened a bottle of Riesling Spätlese. Spätlese is a late harvest wine. The grapes are picked after the normal harvest and the wines are more concentrated and have more intense flavor than Kabinett.  Dr. Hans VonMüller Riesling Spätlese 2016 is 100% Riesling from the Mosel region. The wine is pale lemon with aromas of peach, grapefruit, honeysuckle and lemon zest. The palate offers apricot, peach, lemon, honeysuckle and minerality. For someone that prefers bone-dry wines, I found this to be very drinkable. It is perfectly balanced between the acidity and sweetness. Drink as an aperitif or with light cuisine. Alcohol: 7.5% SRP: $15.99  I will be exploring the other levels of the Prädikatswein categories at a future time.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] Winter is just around the corner and we’ve already had a taste of snow, about eight inches worth! During this unexpected snowfall, I took inventory of the many samples that I’ve received of late and decided this would be a great time to open a few bottles from the Rhône Valley.  The Rhône Valley is a grape-growing region located in Southern France.  The Northern Rhône has seven major appellations consisting mostly of steep hillsides and stone filled soils including limestone, minerals, clay and gravel. The climate is continental and is influenced by the mistral wind with the winters tending to be tough and the summer months warm. The signature grape is Syrah and it is the only red grape permitted here. Viognier, Marsanne and Roussane make up the white varieties. The Southern Rhône produces about 95% of all wine in the Rhône Valley. It has six major appellations that are situated on flatter terrain consisting of stony soil including limestone, clay and sand. The climate is Mediterranean with mild winters and warm, dry summers. Thirteen grape varieties are allowed, both red and white with Grenache as the signature grape here.  More than two-thirds of Rhône Valley wines are bottled as Côtes-du-Rhône, with the appellation covering Northern and Southern Rhône. So, with these tidbits of information in mind, let’s talk about Ferraton Père & Fils. If you’ve been following my stories, you probably recognize this name. I’ve written about their wines on several occasions and at the risk of repeating myself, here is a condensed version of a previous story. 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. Twenty percent of Ferraton production is estate wines with grapes coming from the domaine’s 37 acres in the Northern Rhône’s Hermitage, Crozes-Hermitage and St. Joseph appellations. The rest is sourced from sustainably farmed fruit in both Northern and Southern Rhône appellations. 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, oenologist Damien Brisset heads Ferraton and is supported by a young, dynamic team with an average age in the mid-thirties. Côtes-du-Rhône Samorëns Blanc 2017 is a blend of 60% White Grenache and 40% Clairette. The color is lemon with aromas of blossom, pear, melon and citrus. The palate offers honeysuckle, pear, lemon, apple and hints of fennel. This is a refreshing wine with great balance and crispness. Drink as an aperitif or with light cuisine such as seafood, cheese and salads. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $16  Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Plan de Dieu 2017 Plan de Dieu means “God’s Plan” in French and is a Côtes-du-Rhône village that has had its AOC status for red wines since 2005. Vineyards here date back to at least 1362. This wine is a beautiful blend of 65% Grenache, 25% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre. Lush aromas of black fruit, raspberry, cherry and spice segue onto the palate and become more defined. Blackberry, dark plum, black currant, pepper, vanilla and hints of savory linger on a long finish. Ripe tannins and a silky mouth-feel complete this expressive wine. Pair with grilled meats, game, dense fish and stews. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $18  I have always enjoyed the wines from Ferraton Père & Fils. The price to value ratio is impressive and these are great wines to have on hand for the holidays.
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] What does a Greek engineer from Santorini do when he can’t find an excellent Greek wine to drink while living in San Francisco? He finds a winery in Sonoma, imports Greek grapes and makes Greek wine! Georgós Zanganas is the founder and president of Georgós Wine. Zanganas imports grapes from Greece by boat carried in special bladders and brings them to Sonoma. The grapes are then blended and aged by consultant winemaker Robert Rex who uses Old World techniques to make the wine. Rex just received the 2018 Winemaker of the Year award bringing the total amount of awards he’s been given to an impressive 301 over the past forty-five years.  Georgós Zanganas and Robert Rex Photo credit: Georgós Wine The wines originate from the highest quality 100% NON-GMO and sustainably grown grapes that are handpicked and triple hand sorted. The wines are comprised of premium Sonoma and Greek fruit. All the wines are handcrafted with no added sugar and low sulfites. Enter Robert Davi, tough guy actor known for his roles in License To Kill and Die Hard. In addition to appearing in more than 130 films, Davi is also an accomplished screenwriter, director, producer and jazz vocalist!  Davi recently partnered with Georgós Wine after he purchased a bottle of Georgós’ Santorini Wine and fell in love with it claiming, “it’s one of the smoothest damn wines I’ve ever had”. After then tasting Georgós line of red wines and being dually impressed, Davi reached out to Georgós Zanganas. One thing led to another and now Robert Davi is a partner and brand ambassador for the wines. Georgós Wine produces five small batch wine varieties. I had the opportunity to sample two of the wines.  Photo credit: Georgós Wine Santorini Sophia’s Smile 2017 is made of 100% Assyrtiko grapes. It is the most well known white grape of Greece and comes from the Cyclades island of Santorini. Assyrtiko grows in the rich volcanic soil of the island and makes up about 70% of the vineyards there. Vines range in age from 60 to 250 years old. The color of this wine is gold and slightly cloudy due to minimal filtration. The nose offers citrus, minerality and hints of the sea. The palate is layered with pear, tart apple and lemon. It is bone-dry, crisp and filled with minerality, acidity and is quite earthy. The finish is creamy and smooth. Drink as an aperitif or serve it with seafood, fowl and even meat dishes. Alcohol: 12% SRP: $23  Corfu Siren’s Lure 2014 is a Bordeaux style blend made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Merlot from Sonoma and Saint George (Agiorgitiko) from Nemea, a region in the Peloponnese area of Southern Greece. Agiorgitiko is the most widely planted grape in Greece. The color is deep plum with juicy aromas of dark berries, plum, floral, spice and hints of black cherry. The palate is a myriad of delightful flavors made up of dark and red berries, plum, blackberry, blueberry and spice. The finish is a long finale of clove, vanilla, pepper and hints of black cherry. This is a beautifully balanced wine with soft tannins and a silky texture. This wine will stand up to spicy stews, grilled meats, piquant cheese and dark chocolate desserts! Alcohol: 14.4% SRP: $31  To quote Georgós Wine,
“Winemaking is 60% cooking – Cooking is about taste - Taste has no rules.” Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] The Herzog family is no stranger to the wine world. Their winemaking origins date back almost a century ago in Slovakia with Philip Herzog who produced wine for the Austro-Hungarian court. Emperor Franz-Joseph was so impressed with the wines he gave Philip the title of Baron Philip Herzog.  Photo courtesy of Herzog Wine Cellars World War II changed everything for the Herzog family. Philip’s grandson Eugene had to hide the family from the Nazis until the end of the war. Unfortunately, three years later the new Czech communist regime forced the Herzog family to leave their home once again. They abandoned most of their worldly possessions including their royal status and came to America in 1948. Eugene, his wife, six children and two war orphans settled in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY.  Photo courtesy of Herzog Wine Cellars Eugene found a job at a small kosher winery where he made sweet wines from Concord grapes. Eugene was compensated for a portion of his work in company shares that were essentially worthless. However, in 1958 all the other shareholders gave up their shares, leaving Eugene and his sons the business. As a tribute to his grandfather Philip, they called it Royal Wines. The Herzog family expanded their business in 1985, taking the winemaking operations to California. After 20 years of renting space at other wineries, the family built and now owns a state-of-the-art winery south of Santa Barbara in the town of Oxnard. Joe Hurliman is the head winemaker and oversees the high-end production of kosher winemaking while maintaining tradition. They have two labels: Baron Herzog and Herzog Wine Cellars and they have quite an impressive portfolio of wines. I recently received a sample of 2017 Herzog Lineage Sauvignon Blanc Musque Clone, Lake County.  The wine is 100% Sauvignon Blanc. The Musqué clone is a rare type of Sauvignon Blanc grape that originated in Bordeaux. Most of the vineyards in Lake County are planted above 1500 feet and are influenced by Clear Lake, the largest inland body of water in California. The air is pure and clean and grapes benefit from ideal climate conditions with rich and varied soils.  The color of the wine is pale yellow with notes of floral, citrus and sweet melon on the nose. The palate offers a creamy mouth-feel with bright acidity, honeysuckle, juicy pear and hints of minerality and lime zest on the finish. This is a very refreshing and easy wine to drink. It will pair well with light pasta dishes, cheese and most seafood. Alcohol: 14% SRP: $19.99 I served the wine with crusted baked salmon and roasted vegetables. It was a perfect match!  Until next time…
Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] When shopping for Riesling one might automatically go to the Germany or Alsace section in a wine store. However, there is another section to consider. Take a stroll over to where they keep Rieslings from the Pacific Northwest, USA. Riesling grapes grow best in cool or moderate climates and Pacifica estate winery located on the border of Washington and Oregon is an ideal setting for growing these grapes.  In 2006, Philip and Sheryl Jones purchased 95 acres on Underwood Mountain, of which over 25 acres are under vine. It is called Evans Vineyard and it overlooks the Columbia Gorge and Mount Hood. The climate is cool and marine-influenced with warm days and cool nights and the soil is mainly silty loam of volcanic origin. Pacifica estate winery is the Northwest’s only fully kosher winery, beginning with their first wines produced in 2010.   Pacifica Washington Riesling 2017 is 100% Riesling. It is pale yellow with notes of citrus and floral. The palate offers mouth-watering acidity, green apple, pear, grapefruit, honey, minerality and a hint of lemon. This is a medium-dry wine that will pair well with a variety of food such as light pasta, white meat, spicy food, seafood and cheese. It is also a perfect wine to serve as an aperitif. SRP: $17.99 Alcohol: 12%  Summer isn’t over yet, so kick it up a notch and put some Rieslings in your refrigerator alongside the other white wines and rosés. In any event, I plan to drink this Riesling all year long!
Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] 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 “International Albariño Days” is almost upon us and everyone will be celebrating this aromatic white wine from the Denomination of Origin (DO) Rías Baixas during August 2nd thru August 7th. Rías Baixas is located in the northwestern corner of Spain in the Galicia region and is separated from Portugal by the Miño River to the south.  Rías Baixas is divided into five growing areas (sub-zones) running from north to south. More than 99% of wines produced here are white, with Albariño representing 96% of all plantings. Each sub-zone differs in grape varieties, terroir, microclimates and winemaking techniques. However, the wines all share a common thread with characteristics of a soft yellow color, aromatic, vibrant acidity, fresh and dry with mineral overtones.  The sub-zone of Val do Salnés is considered the birthplace of the Albariño grape and it is the original and oldest sub-zone of Rías Baixas. It has the most area grape plantings and is home to the largest cluster of wineries than any of the other sub-zones. Vineyards are planted on both slopes and flat valley floors. It is the coolest and wettest sub-zone with soils that are granitic, rocky and alluvial. Pazo de Señoráns Winery is located in the sub-zone of Val do Salnés in the municipality of Pontevedra. It is a family run winery that began production in 1989 and has been passed on to the second generation of four sons and daughters who are hand-on in all aspects of the business. They have 130.9 acres and make an impressive array of 100% Albariño wines. The vines are planted in the lowlands, close to the sea and the lower portions of rivers.  I recently received a sample of Pazo de Señoráns Albariño 2017. This is a young and sassy wine! The color is pale lemon and it is very aromatic. Aromas of floral, citrus, pear, grapefruit and hints of the “briny” sea are enticing. On the palate this wine is packed with acidity, juicy fruit, fresh peach, apricot, soft citrus and minerality. Lingering notes of apricot and lemon zest give this wine an invigorating finish. SRP: $19.99 Alcohol: 13.5%  Albariño wines pair well with many dishes such as light pasta, seafood, salads, cheese and fruit.
So, mark your calendar and don’t forget to toast International Albariño Days! Send me your photos and use the hashtag #MakeItAnAlbariñoWeekend Until next time… Cheers! Penina To leave a comment or if you have an inquiry, please contact me at [email protected] 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 [email protected] |
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