SEVEN ITALIAN WINE THIS MONTH ON THE TOP WINES MEDIA&PRESS
Made from a blend of Greco Bianco and Coda di Volpe, Gil Lempert-Schwarz, writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, recommended this Italian white with aromas of pear and honeydew melon and “lovely floral white fruits” with no hint of wood or oak.
He said: “It is a bone-dry mouthful of juicy white wine with very different characteristics than say Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc. You first get the apple-laced white fruit with superb acidity and excellent structure underneath, then there’s white currants, white cranberry juice, pomelo-like citrus notes, then steely minerality going through the mid-palate and just remarkable length on this white wine, which ends in a soft, but very dry note. Highly recommended white wine.”
Price: $4.99
Sandra Silfven, writing in the Detroit News, took a look at the wines of Tuscany this week showcasing three “classic and affordably priced” brands owned by Elisabetta Gnudi Angelini.
She described this Italian red blend from Chianti as having notes of “cooked Damson plum, spice, leather, tobacco with an infusion of smoky oak.”
She said: “It’s dense and intense with silky tannins and surprising softness. Wine Spectator awarded this wine 90 points. It’s a blend of 40% Sangiovese, with equal amounts of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. It was aged 18 months in small barrels. Think Super Tuscan – for twenty dollars?? What a great buy.”
Price: $20
Silfven also recommended this Rosso di Montalcino, which she said is often called “Baby Brunello” because of the younger age of the vines and less time in oak.
She said: “Rosso di Montalcino is more rustic, more tannic (and more affordable). This example from Caparzo is soft and elegant, with a bouquet of violets, raspberry and pomegranate. It’s aged 12 months in large Slavonian oak casks and a minimum of 10 months in bottle.”
Price: $18.99
Rebecca Murphy picked this “lightly bodied white” from the Italian region of Piedmont as her wine of the week writing for the Dallas News.
She said: “Yes, Gavi is a great seafood wine. It’s made from the Cortese grape, thought to be indigenous to this region. This one boasts lightly floral, citrus and green apple aromas and flavors, with a touch of chalk. It is light bodied with zesty acidity and a touch of savory bitterness in the finish.”
Price: $16 to $17
This “bright, lively, refreshing” Prosecco was recommended by Dennis Sodomka writing in the Augusta Chronicle who stated that while there are many brands on the market, Bolla Prosecco was “one of the best” he had tried.
He said: “The wine is a pale straw in the glass, almost colorless. There is some fruit in the nose, but taste is where the wine really delivers. It’s fresh and fruity, with peach, pear and melon flavors and a hint of citrus.
“A good balance of acidity gives this a crisp finish and a touch of minerality. There are no oak or yeasty tastes. Unlike some Proseccos, the bubbles last a long time, even when you pour the wine into a regular wine glass instead of Champagne flute.
The wine is made from 100 percent Glera grapes, which used to be called Prosecco, named after the town north of Venice where the vines are concentrated. It is speculated that the grapes were grown by Romans 2,000 years ago, but there is no proof of that.”
Price: $12 to 14
This medium-bodied Tuscan blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese was Gil Lempert-Schwarz’ top pick writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal this week.
He said: “On the nose: There are indicators that the famous Tuscan terroir from which this wine’s fruit is sourced shines through with powerful forward stewed red fruit dominated by ripe Morello cherries and cooked sloe fruit with underlying notes of leather, plums, earthy minerals, herbs and dried red flowers. The wine is mature and ready to drink now; some of the secondary so-called garrigue characters come through to prove that point.
“On the palate: It is a nicely ripe and mature mouthful of wine right off the bat with red cherries, rhubarb compote, pomegranate juice, slightly rustic undertones, but all nicely balanced. The midpalate and the supple cherry juice components confirm this with soft tannins and a nice lingering finish. It is medium-bodied in style and comes across as a highly drinkable wine.”
Price: $7.99
This “lean and expressive” Furore Bianco, a blend of Falanghina and Biancolella grapes, was recommended by Irene Virbila writing in the LA Times.
She said: “The 2013 Furore Bianco carries that scent of lemon leaves and jasmine. And with its beautiful minerality and considered coolness, this southern Italian white is a standout. A great value too. Take a sip and you want to be there on the beach, enjoying a bottle with grilled langoustine or fish. It’s a natural with chilled seafood platters, steamed mussels and clams. It pairs well with sushi and sashimi too.”
Price: $23 to $26
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