Italy; Abruzzo, Toscana and Veneto
February 21, 2009Saturday 4:00pm until 7:00pm (or until it's gone)
$5 per person
We attended Vino 2009 in New York in the end of January. Vino 2009 was a Italian Wine Industry Convention that included three days of seminars, guided tastings, lectures and panel discussions devoted exclusively to to the wines of Italy and to those from the regions of Abruzzo, Calabria, Lombardia, Toscana and Veneto.
We wanted to share this experience with our customers in a series of Italian wine tastings from these regions.
2008 Cesari DueTorri Pinot Grigio $10.95
Italy, VenetoAzienda Due Torri is owned by Dott. Franco Cesari, a dynamic winemaker, who studied with some of Italy's most prestigious oenologists. Franco's father, Gerardo Cesari, founded the company in 1936. The winery's home is in the province of Verona where the family is famous for their Amarone.
Varietal: Pinot Grigio 100%.
Vinification: The must, obtained from the soft pressing of the entire grape, is left toCold fermentation and storage in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks preserve the fresh, fruity character of the wine. When spring is well underway it is bottled and then bottle- aged for at least another two months
Notes: Bright straw yellow in color with an aroma of a fresh bouquet of fruit and flowers.Fragrant, dry, zesty, well-orchestrated, well-balanced with persistent hints of fruit on the palate. Excellent as an aperitif or paired with appetizers, it is excellent with any fish or seafood dishes.
Serving Temperature: 50 F to 57 F
Food Pairing: Pair this wine with all manners of seafood, shellfish, pasta with seafood sauces, and risottos based on seafood. It also goes well with light preparations of poultry and veal. The wine is perfect for a luncheon, by itself before a meal, or with appetizers.
2007 Cesari DueTorri Pinot Noir $10.95
Italy, VenetoIn addition to their range of classic Amarone, Valpolicella, Bardolino and Soave, the Cesari's own and manage more than 250 acres of vineyards for the production of internationally popular varietal wines.
Pinot Noir is one of their recent additions; it was a natural fit for the cooler climate that is prevalent in northeastern Italy. Pinot Noir has been growing in Italy probably since Roman times. Plantings are mainly located in the cooler northern climates where they're protected against the achingly hot Mediterranean sun.
Due Torri Pinot Noir is harvested in early September.
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vinification: Fermentation begins after six to eight days of cold maceration. Temperature is closely monitored during vinification to preserve the delicate aromas. To preserve the fruit the wine isn't aged in wood barrels.
Notes:Cesari DueTorri Pinot Noir shows the bright delightful side of Pinot with a spicy bouquet of black cherry and strawberry. The wine floats across the palate with a display of soft fruit flavors followed by soft tannins. Its velvety smooth texture is irresistible.
Serving Temperature: 61 F to 65 F
Food Pairing: Excellent compliment to grilled red meats, game,poutlry dishes andlighter cuisine like roast loin of pork and sauteed vegetables.
2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Piane di Maggio $8.95
Italy, AbruzzoVarietal: Montepulciano.
Vinification:Steel tanks.
Notes: Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Piane di Maggio shows an intense ruby red color and nuances of purple red, little transparency. The nose denotes intense, clean and pleasing aromas that start with hints of black cherry, plum and blackberry followed by aromas of violet, blueberry and carob. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a tannic attack and however balanced by alcohol, good body, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of black cherry and plum.
Serving Temperature: 61 F to 65 F
Food Pairing: Sauteed meat, Stewed meat with mushrooms, Fresh Cheeses
2005 Avignonesi Rosso $15.95
Italy, TuscanyVarietal:40% Prugnolo Gentile, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot.
Vinification:9 months in barriques and oak barrels. Refinement in bottles: 6 months.
Notes: Iintense ruby red in colour with a bouquet reminiscent of wild fruits, spices and grass; the taste is round and harmonious. it is an outstanding wine, rich in smooth tannins and full-bodied; the ideal complement to even the heartiest dishes.
Serving Temperature: 61 F to 65 F
Pairing: Stewed meat with mushrooms, Roasted meat, Hard cheese, Pasta with spicy tomato sauce or a Pepperoni Pizza.
2006 Tommasi, Poggio Al Tufo, "Rompicollo" Red $16.95
Italy, TuscanyVarietal: Sangiovese 60%, Cabernet Sauvignon 40%.
Vinification:10 days fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks; 12 months maturation in Slavonian oaks 65Hl.
Notes: Deep ruby in colour, the Rompicollo is a well structured, soft and velvety wine. Poggio al Tufo is a young estate that benefits from more than a century of Tommasi winemaker expertise. Poggio al Tufo produces wines with great character, personality and class: modern wines made using ancient grapes which exhibit the strong and generous nature of the Tuscan land and the Tommasi style: rich, refined taste and pleasing finish.
"A good amount of cherry and blackcurrant aromas. The perfumed palate is youthful yet shows some deep complexity with good depth of ripe fruit and length." Decanter Magazine, Three Stars.
Very good everyday wine. Plum on the taste as well as on the nose. One can taste the slavonian oak nicely, clearly a Tuscan wine. Color is intense ruby red, fragrance of intense bouquet of mature red berries and fruits. Well balanced with good structure and nice length with fruity flavors.
Serving Temperature: 61 F to 65 F
Pairing: Italian pasta with red meat sauce, white meats, fresh cheeses
