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| SEVEN ITALIAN WINE THIS MONTH ON THE TOP WINES MEDIA&PRESS |
US PRESS
In a bid to “drink adventurously” Eric Asimov, writing in the New York Times, this week picked out 20 winter wines for under $20. Included in his round up is this “fragrant” 2012 white from Sicily.
He said: “The reds from Mount Etna in Sicily get most of the attention, but the whites are fascinating.
“This one, from Destro, made of both Carricante and Catarratto, is provocatively fragrant, with an almost resinous, lemon balsam aroma.
“The wine blossoms as it warms in the glass, becoming pleasantly savoury.
“It will get even better with another year of age.”
He said: “The reds from Mount Etna in Sicily get most of the attention, but the whites are fascinating.
“This one, from Destro, made of both Carricante and Catarratto, is provocatively fragrant, with an almost resinous, lemon balsam aroma.
“The wine blossoms as it warms in the glass, becoming pleasantly savoury.
“It will get even better with another year of age.”
Cordero di Montezemolo Nebbiolo 2012
Special contributor Rebecca Murphy chose this Nebbiolo as her wine of the week, writing in the Dallas News.
She said: “The Langhe wine region is in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, sharing a border with France.
“You won’t find tomato sauces here. Instead, the area’s cuisine is studded with truffles, wild mushrooms and egg-rich, hand-cut pasta.
“This is also the land of the Nebbiolo grape, the sole star of two of Italy’s greatest wines, Barolo and Barbaresco.
“These wines usually carry prices that many people would consider only for special occasions, if at all, so a Langhe Nebbiolo of this quality is a welcome find.
“This is an intense wine with dusty, ripe, black fruit aromas and flavours redolent with dried rose petals and smoke. In the mouth, the fruit is intensified by Nebbiolo’s decisive acidity and sturdy tannins.
“Enjoy it with a lamb roast or a wild mushroom risotto.”
She said: “The Langhe wine region is in Piedmont in northwestern Italy, sharing a border with France.
“You won’t find tomato sauces here. Instead, the area’s cuisine is studded with truffles, wild mushrooms and egg-rich, hand-cut pasta.
“This is also the land of the Nebbiolo grape, the sole star of two of Italy’s greatest wines, Barolo and Barbaresco.
“These wines usually carry prices that many people would consider only for special occasions, if at all, so a Langhe Nebbiolo of this quality is a welcome find.
“This is an intense wine with dusty, ripe, black fruit aromas and flavours redolent with dried rose petals and smoke. In the mouth, the fruit is intensified by Nebbiolo’s decisive acidity and sturdy tannins.
“Enjoy it with a lamb roast or a wild mushroom risotto.”
Cusumano Noà 2010
This Sicilian red was recommended by Beppi Crosariol’s writing in The Globe and Mail this week.
He said: Noà (the stress is on the “a” in Italian) refers to the biblical Noah, who became a vintner after the flood.
“This lovely Sicilian red is made from the indigenous nero d’Avola (40 per cent) along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Serious juice from an island known for value, it’s rich with flavours of plum jam, cherry and dark chocolate.
“The mouthfeel alternates between smooth and juicy, with fresh acidity and a chewy-tannin finish.
“Great for hearty red meats or simply on its own.”
He said: Noà (the stress is on the “a” in Italian) refers to the biblical Noah, who became a vintner after the flood.
“This lovely Sicilian red is made from the indigenous nero d’Avola (40 per cent) along with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Serious juice from an island known for value, it’s rich with flavours of plum jam, cherry and dark chocolate.
“The mouthfeel alternates between smooth and juicy, with fresh acidity and a chewy-tannin finish.
“Great for hearty red meats or simply on its own.”
2011 David Sterza Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso
Virblia also recommended this “vibrant” 2011 David Sterza from Italy as her ‘wine of the week’, calling it a “wonderful everyday wine for less than $20.”
She said: “From the David Sterza winery in the village of Fumane outside Valpolicella comes this vibrant Valpolicella Classico Ripasso. When Sterza inherited the family estate in 1998, he opted not to sell the grapes, as his family had done for generations, but to make and bottle his own wine. Good move: Sterza is producing terrific Amarone and Valpolicella, both great values.
“Amarone almost demands an important occasion. Valpolicella does not. It’s a wonderful everyday wine for less than $20. Fresh and vivid, it tastes of ripe dark berries, earth and smoke. Lovely drinking now, with a wild mushroom risotto, roasted guinea hen or duck, grilled sausages or braised meats.”
Price: About $18
She said: “From the David Sterza winery in the village of Fumane outside Valpolicella comes this vibrant Valpolicella Classico Ripasso. When Sterza inherited the family estate in 1998, he opted not to sell the grapes, as his family had done for generations, but to make and bottle his own wine. Good move: Sterza is producing terrific Amarone and Valpolicella, both great values.
“Amarone almost demands an important occasion. Valpolicella does not. It’s a wonderful everyday wine for less than $20. Fresh and vivid, it tastes of ripe dark berries, earth and smoke. Lovely drinking now, with a wild mushroom risotto, roasted guinea hen or duck, grilled sausages or braised meats.”
Price: About $18
UK PRESS
Also getting Juke’s vote was this 2010 Italian Barbera.
He said: “Knotted Vine is a new merchant on my radar with a penchant for finely-crafted, artisan wines.
“This Barbera is a perfect example of a great value, medium-weight, juicy, cherry-themed Piemontese red with trademark tang and liquorice notes that make the palate zing.”
Price: £10.00, Knotted Vine, tel. 07710 598340 and hello@theknottedvine.com.
He said: “Knotted Vine is a new merchant on my radar with a penchant for finely-crafted, artisan wines.
“This Barbera is a perfect example of a great value, medium-weight, juicy, cherry-themed Piemontese red with trademark tang and liquorice notes that make the palate zing.”
Price: £10.00, Knotted Vine, tel. 07710 598340 and hello@theknottedvine.com.
Araldica Moscato D’Asti 2012
If the excesses of winter are still lurking over you then this week’s selections by Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent, are perfect. His picks include three of the best low alcohol wines, perfect for keeping up a New Year detox.
Of this Moscato D’Asti he said: “Now is the time to discover the sweetish, very slightly sparkling Moscato wines of Italy (Australia also does some decent ones) that are perfect as an aperitif or to accompany cakes and fruit tarts.
“Zingy, fresh flavours of apricots and pears and a lovely clean finish.”
Price: £8.49, Virgin Wines
Of this Moscato D’Asti he said: “Now is the time to discover the sweetish, very slightly sparkling Moscato wines of Italy (Australia also does some decent ones) that are perfect as an aperitif or to accompany cakes and fruit tarts.
“Zingy, fresh flavours of apricots and pears and a lovely clean finish.”
Price: £8.49, Virgin Wines
ASIAN PRESS
Tommasi Poggio Al Tufo Rompicollo 2011
Wai Xin writing on his blog The Blabber singled out this Italian red.
He said: “Pronounced sweet ripe black cherries with dark fruits undertone.
“Velvety structure with excellent bright fresh acidity.
“Very enjoyable and delightful, sufficiently ripe on nose and balance on the palate.” PRESS
He said: “Pronounced sweet ripe black cherries with dark fruits undertone.
“Velvety structure with excellent bright fresh acidity.
“Very enjoyable and delightful, sufficiently ripe on nose and balance on the palate.” PRESS
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