Pieropan Soave Classico 2014
A lovely, spirited Soave Classico from the Veneto region, utterly fresh and bright with notes of Meyer lemon zest, white flowers, dried honey, and almond extract. Aged on fine lees in concrete, the effect of which is largely textural, lending minerally undertones of wet pomace, and slight autolytic character. A nice lingering finish. Clean and […]
Piccini Vino Spumante Extra Dry NV
A straightforward Prosecco made in the Charmat method from the Treviso province. Piccini’s Vino Spumante Extra Dry is bright and lively with notes of freshly cut yellow apples and cheery meadow flowers. On the palate, fine bubbles and a dash of citrus race across a lovely acid spine. It’s very pleasant and very quaffable. A […]
Amarone Braised Beef Short Ribs with Creamy Polenta and Mission Fig Glaze
I couldn’t bring myself to use an entire bottle of Amarone as the cooking wine for the short ribs, instead I substituted a bottle of 2011 Palazzo Delle Torre from Allegrini. Pallazzo Delle Torre is a blend of Corvina Veronese and Rondinella, traditional varieties that go into the making of Amarone, and part of the grapes that […]
Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2010
The 2010 Allegrini Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is a stunning and seamless blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella and Oseleta that have been air-dried for 3-4 months, or until the grapes lose around 50% of their volume. Voluptuous notes of incense, fresh road tar, figs, blackberry reduction and cedar waft from the glass. The palate echoes […]
Pieropan Soave Classico La Rocca 2013
The 2013 Pieropan La Rocca Soave sets the imagination adrift to high altitude vistas, with delicate, breezy aromas of wild mint, resinous mountain air, white flowers, and white peaches. Crafted from 100% Garganega, it’s golden-robed and silky on entry with bright, deliciously tart acidity delineating richer lemon curd and stone fruit notes. Pleasingly fleshy and […]
Allegrini Palazzo della Torre Veronese IGT 2010
Always a great value, the Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre is a wine to buy for sheer drinking pleasure. In the glass, it’s inky and dioxazine purple-hued, due in part to a small fraction of grapes dried ripasso-style blended in post-fermentation—an addition that lends both satiny texture and richness. On the nose, black cherries, blackberry cobbler, […]
Carpenè Malvolti Conegliano Valdobbiadene Superiore Extra Dry Prosecco NV
I picked up a dainty and modestly priced half bottle of Prosecco for lunch. It’s lightly perfumed with ripe d’Anjou pear and white peach along with the faintest top note of dried honey and wildflowers. I appreciate that it’s extra dry—as it comes across as less sappy than is typical for Prosecco, with a bit […]
Gini Contrada Salvarenza Vecchie Vigne 2010
From Garganega, the most widely grown white wine grape in the Veneto region. If you prefer a fruity white, you won’t find it here. What you will find are soft, delicate aromatics of dried honey, lemon tart, and a touch of flinty minerality. It’s full-bodied and voluptuous in the mouth, with just enough acidity to […]
Quintarelli Giuseppe Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1998
Quintarelli’s Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 1998 seduces with aromas of plums, black cherries, black tea and baker’s cocoa and spice. One the palate layers of glycerol and fine tannin weave through attenuated notes of this peppery, wonderful spice accent that is evident on the attack and later, emerges on the finish, it is, in fact […]
Quintarelli Giuseppe Veneto Secco Cà Del Merlo 2012
Kermit lynch has long been a favorite producer of mine, and this refreshing white selection from the Veneto is an affable blend of Garganega, Trebbiano Toscano, Savignon Bianco, Chardonnay and Saorin. Post fermentation this wine sees regular battonage, a technique of stirring the less which adds richness and texture. On the nose, ripe pear, white […]