Tag Archives: Italy

Wine of the Week 2/27 – 3/5

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Pieter Cruythoff Chenin Blanc 2010 $5.95
Chenin Blanc is the perfect every day wine that offers uncomplicated quality for the novice and connoisseur alike. Packed with upfront melon fruit, the nose charms with an abundance of guava and gooseberries as well as the signature hint of honey. The palate follows through with fruit flavors balanced by a crisp acid to ensure a fresh and fruity style of wine.
Enjoy well-chilled as a lovely crisp glass on its own but ideal for al fresco dining and with light summer fare. Beautiful with salads, anti pasti and seafood.

Grapes: 100% Chenin Blanc
Region: South Africa

Resonata Nero d’Avola 2009 $6.95
Dense ruby red with violet reflections.
Lush and ripe bouquet full of mulberries, blackberries and spice. Harmonious and well balanced with good berry fruit in a spicy background.
Food paring: Excellent with lamb, grilled and barbecued meats, dishes with olives or capers and seasoned cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Nero d’Avola
Region: Sicilia, Italy

Wine of the Week 2/13 – 2/19

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Yalumba Unwooded Chardonnay 2009 $9.95
Pale straw with light green hues, the Yalumba Y Series Unwooded Chardonnay displays aromas of honeydew melon and nashi pear, with hints of grapefruit and pineapple. The palate is silky with flavors of ripe nectarines, guava and grapefruit with a fresh acid finish. Serve with Thai chicken salad or gnocchi with sautéed prawns and a burnt butter sauce.

Grapes: 100% Chardonnay
Region: Australia

Monte Antico Toscana Super Tuscan 2006 $13.95
#61 on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009 – According to James Suckling on his WineSpectator.com blog: I came across an incredible value in my office in Tuscany today. Tasting a range of wines from $10 to $25 with Neil and Maria Empson of Empson & Co., I found some excellent wines. But what was the most impressive for the money was the Monte Antico 2006. Its suggested retail is $11, and it could sell for less (like here). And it is in the market now. Granted, I have not tasted it blind yet. But it’s in the very good to outstanding range. The wine is 75 percent Sangiovese, 15 percent Merlot and 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon. It is made from 25-year-old vines minimum, mostly from Pisa, Maremma and Chianti Classico areas. Of course, the quality of the 2006 vintage in Tuscany shined through on this wine. This is a superb Sangiovese year. The aromatic quality of Sangiovese is mind-blowing for most wines from Tuscany. The 2006 Monte Antico has beautiful plums, berries and fresh acidity.
-90 points Wine Spectator

Grapes: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot
Region: Toscana, Italy

Wine of the Week 1/23 – 1/29

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Coi Soave 2009 $5.95
Medium yellow color, delicate bouquet of exotic fruits, peach and flowers. Pleasant smooth taste, velvety aftertaste and white fruit flavors. Pairs well with pasta dishes, horse d’oeuvre, fish, fruits and peanuts.

Grapes: 70% Garganega, 20% Trebbiano di Soave and 10% Chardonnay.
Region: Italy

Cueva de las Manos Reserve Malbec 2009 $9.95
“Two winners from Argentina include the 2009 Malbec Reserve, a 100% Malbec aged 12 months in a combination of French and American oak. Copious aromas of chocolate, blueberries, blackberries, tar, and spice box jump from the glass of this inky/ruby/purple-tinged wine. Ripe, succulent, and loaded with fruit with silky tannins and a long finish, it will not make old bones, but for drinking over the next 2-3 years, this is a heck-of-a bargain. ”
– Wine Advocate (Aug. 2010), 90 pts

Grapes: Malbec
Region: Mendoza, Argentina

Wine of the Week 1/16 – 1/23

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Yalumba Y Series Riesling 2008 $9.95
Pale green hues, this wine has a spice and aromatic profile showing feijoa, lemongrass, rose petals and tropical fruit. Long, fine and refreshing, the Yalumba Y Series Riesling shows grapefruit flavours with balanced mineral acidity and fruit sweetness. This leads to a long lingering flavour and persistence on the palate.

Gentle processing of the grapes, and the use of only the clearest juice, followed by a cool even fermentation, ensures that the fresh flavours of the variety are preserved in the final wine.

Grapes: Riesling
Region: South Australia

Luna Nuda Chianti 2006 $8.95
Luna Nuda Chianti DOCG is produced on the Tuscan hills in the zone of the Chianti region located around Florence with a blend of Sangiovese and Canaiolo grapes. Following careful grape selection and maceration of the must over the grape skins for 10 to 12 days, an advanced constant temperature fermentation technique is applied, yielding a pleasant, full bodied wine that keeps its distinctive fruitiness for an extensive period of time.

  • Nose: fruity with aromas of ripe red fruit and an elegant note of spice.
  • Palate: fresh, savory and well balanced, it has a good structure.
  • New world flare with respect for the old world tradition.
  • A very modern take on an ancient wine.

Grapes: Sangiovese, Canaiolo
Region: Chianti, Italy

Wine of the Week 04/04 – 4/10

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Chateau Bonnet Entre-Deux-Mers 2008 $11.95
Overview: The vast 300-acre estate of Château Bonnet in the heart of the Entre-deux-Mers produces a deliciously reliable, good value wine every year. This brand-new 2008 shows some lively yellow fruits as well as a strong citrus element. It has vibrantly fresh, pure fruit and is ready to drink now, but can age for a year.. 88 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Mascadelle
Region: Bordeaux – France

Miracoli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2008 $9.95
Overview: Pink-crimson color. Lovely nose is imbued with fresh strawberry, pomegranate and almond aromas. Fresh and juicy on the palate, with flavors similar to the aromas and lots of bright acidity to keep it brisk and long on the lightweight finish. The perfect complement with Italian spaghetti, grilled meats, and seasoned cheeses.

Grapes: 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Region: Abruzzo – Italy

Wine of the Week 03/28 – 04/03

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Taliano Birbet NV Brachetto d’Acqui $14.95
Overview: Similar to Bracchetto, this is a pinkish-red slightly sparkling wine that’s sweet, but in this case, the sugar is capably balanced by a sense of minerality. Slightly floral and earthy, with flavors of dust-covered black cherries. 88 pts. Wine Enthusiast

Grapes: 100% Brachetto
Region: Piedmont – Italy

Marcato Lessini Brut NV Sparkling $12.95
Overview: Straw yellow colour. unique sparkling of the delicates yeasty, bready notes. flavors of yellow fruits and hints of vanilla. At the palate present medium body and roundness with a delicious freshness on the finish. .

Grapes: 85% Durello, 10% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir
Region: Alpone Valley – Italy

Wine of the Week 02/7 – 02/13

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Trattoria Busa Alla Torre Da Lele 2008 $7.95

Overview: A Venetian favorite! It is crisp and dry, rich and spicy with hints of peach and honey…perfect with salads, pasta, chicken and fish! Musaragno is an organic wine estate near Venice, Italy.

Grapes: 100% Pinot Grigio
Region: Lison Pramaggiore – Italy

Reserve Grand Veneur Cotes Du Rhone 2008 $11.95

Overview: Purple-tinged garnet color. Aromas of fresh berries (wild raspberry, blackcurrant, blackberry) and spices. The palate is full-flavored, with silky-smooth tannins. The finish offers notes of licorice and pepper.

Grapes: 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah
Region: Rhone Valley, Bordeaux – France