September 24, 2007

K Vintners Wine Dinner, Back Street Bistro

Wine Dinner
@
Back Street Bistro

Featuring winemaker, Charles Smith
Monday, Oct. 1st
reception @ 5:30 - dinner @ 6:00
11 Town Hall Plaza, Brunswick, ME

$65/person plus tax/gratuity
Please call (207) 725-4060 for reservations!


K Vintners is a relatively new Washington winery that we just love! Charles Smith, the winemaker is a little eccentric (actually, he's an entertaining iconoclast, especially when it comes to winemaking!).

"...K Vintners rocks with Washington Syrah." - Wine Spectator
"Top Ten Syrah in America" - Wine and Spirits
"These wines offer fascinating layers of richness" - San Francisco Chronicle

I've written about Charles (here's my description of my first encounter with Charles) and we've hosted a tasting featuring his wines! My second encounter with Charles was much calmer - he's a character and a really good guy!

Back Street Bistro is a wonderful restaurant. The food will be topnotch and so will the wines!

Doug Watts and Cat Oster, owners of SOPO (South Portland Wine Company) will also be on hand!

The Menu!

Reception
Selection of Cheese & Crackers, Fresh Fruit & Finger Foods
Charles Smith Wines "Holy Cow" Chardonnay

First Course
Selection of Autumn Terrines
Duck & Red Currant - Maine Lobster & Brie - Local Squash & Root Vegetable
K Vintners "Milbrandt" Syrah

Entree
Elk Wellington with Wild Mushroom Duxelles
Grilled Mushroom Demi-glace
Oven-roasted Red, Purple & Sweet Fingerling Potatoes
K Vintners "Cougar Hills" Syrah

Dessert
Brulee of Gingerbread Financier
Charles Smith Wines "Kung Fu Girl" Riesling

September 21, 2007

September Wine Tasting, Friday, Sept. 21st

It's time for our September Wine Tasting.

As always, the "in-store" tastings are free!

The theme is

Unusual Grapes
Unusual Blends


We are traveling the globe!

Sparkler

Gancia Prosecco Extra Dry (Italy) Reg. $16.99 Sale $13.99 - This is delicious! Jessica and I really enjoyed this when we tasted it last week! Wonderful bubbles and mouthfeel. Aromas of golden and green apples, pears and flowers. Flavors of fresh white fruit (apples, pears and white peaches). Crisp and refreshing! Food pairing - great as a cocktail wine. Nice with lighter foods and lighter desserts.

Whites

Salneval Albarinho 2006 (Spain) $12.99 - This is a delicious Spanish white. Many Albarinos are $15-17; this is a great value at $13! Wonderful aromas of fruit (apples, peaches, pears, lime), roses, ginger, mint and stony minerals. Flavors of pears, citrus, honey, plus minerals. It's medium-bodied and dry. With well-balanced acidity. Food pairing - Great paired with fresh Maine seafood!

Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc/Viognier 2006 (California) Reg. $14.99 Sale $13.99 - Pine Ridge is one of my favorite California wineries and this is one of my favorite white wines! This is refreshing, crisp and delicious! Aromas of honey, apricots, apples, pears and flowers. It's fresh and lively! Juicy! Flavors of melons, tangerines, pears. apples and a touch of sweetness. Nice acidity. Clean finish. 86% Chenin Blanc and 16% Viognier. 23,200 cases made. Food pairing - a picnic! Spicy Asian or Indian food. Crabcakes. Seafood. Food & Wine, "25 Best Wines for Summer"

Cave de Turckheim Vin d'Alsace Pinot Blanc 2004 (Alsace, France) Reg. $15.99 Sale $13.99 - I like this a lot! For lovers of Alsatian wines, Pinot Blanc is not that unusual! Most people I encounter have rarely tried a Pinot Blanc! Pinot Blanc is a close relative of Pinot Gris, which in turn is a close relative of Pinot Noir! Pinot Blancs have subtle aromas - they are not boldly aromatic. Subtle aromas of apples, pears and minerals. The flavors in this wine tend more to the minerally side with subtle fruit notes (apples and pears) and a hint of nuts (maybe almonds). Lively acidity. Crisp, zippy finish! Food pairing - smoked fish, shellfish, ham, Thanksgiving Dinner, poultry, etc.

Sepp Moser Gruner Veltiner Gebling Kremstal 2005 (Austria) $18.99 - This is Austria's flagship grape! This is an excellent Gruner Veltliner. It has a soft feel at the start - it's rich and soft! Flavors and aromas of peaches, apples, baking spices, minerals and it has the flavor and aroma for which the better Gruner Veltliners are known - white pepper! Nice acidity. Crisp finish that ends with a little white pepper! Stainless steel fermentation. 1,000 cases made. Gruner Veltiner is still little-known in the US (in fact, it is little known outside Austria!). The nearby Danube River plays a key role influencing the climate of this area. The Gebling vineyard dates to the late 13th century. Food pairing - Lobster and seafood. Seafood with rich sauces. Poultry with rich sauces. Sausages. Wine Spectator, 89 points

Reds

Cono Sur Cabernet Sauvignon Carmenere 2006 (Chile) $12.99 - This is a tasty red blend from Southern Chile. Aromas of wild berries, blueberries, blackberries, dark cherries and vanilla. Flavors of red and black fruit, baking spices, pepper, vanilla and earth. Nice mouthfeel. Aged in French oak barrels. Cono Sur is Spanish for the "Southern Cone," the shape of South America below the Tropic of Capricorn. Blend of 60& Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Carmenere. Carmenere is often called the "lost grape of Bordeaux." It disappeared from Bordeaux and the grapes in Chile were thought to be Merlot until DNA testing in the 1990's showed it to be Carmenere. Organically grown grapes. Food pairing - steak, lamb, kabobs, rich veggie meals.

Tommasi Poggio al Tufo Rompicollo 2005 (Tuscany, Italy) $15.99 - This is a wonderful red from Tuscany - a blend of 60% Sangiovese and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon! 4,200 cases made. Aromas of cherries, raspberries, leather, spices and roasted nuts. Flavors of dark cherries, plums, vanilla and toasty oak, Medium-bodied. Soft tannins. Long, clean & crisp finish. Food pairing - grilled or roasted meats, game, sauces based on meats and/or mushrooms, and rich, flavorful cheese. Decanter, 3 Stars, "Very Good"

Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap 2005 (South Africa) Reg. $10.99 Sale $9.99 - This wine pays tribute to the early pioneers on the Cape who built a "wolftrap." To date, no wolf, either real or mythical, has ever been seen in the valley! Boekenhoutskloof (be warned - this is probably the most annoying website I have visited in ages) produces wonderful old-world wines from South Africa! This wine is fantastic and a great value! Aromas of red berries, bacon, spice, plums and vanilla. Soft tannins. Flavors of mocha, dark and red berries, vanilla and plums. 65% Syrah, 19% Cinsault, 11% Mourvèdre and 5% Viognier. 10% unwooded, 90% fermented with French oak. Up to 8 months aging before blending. Fined and bottled. Food pairing - great everyday wine! Wonderful with roasted and grilled meats, stews and hearty vegetarian dishes!

Altano Duoro 2005 (Portugal) Reg. $9.99 Sale $8.99 - This is a great value and a wonderful wine. Since we opened this has been a favorite of ours vintage after vintage! Excellent fruit in the nose and mouth (raspberry, blueberry, cherry and spice). Good balance between fruit and acidity. A touch of classic Portuguese earthiness & rusticity. Made from traditional Port grapes - Touriga Francesca and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) - grown in the heart of the Douro Valley. Food pairing - Great with hearty foods such as beef or lamb stews and roasted meats.

Dessert

Castello del Poggio Brachetto Spumante (Piedmont, Italy) $19.99 - This is fabulous! Great with a chocolate dessert! It's not as powerfully sweet as many Brachettos I've tasted. It has those wonderful strawberry and raspberry aromas and flavors that are hallmarks of this traditional Piedmontese dessert wine! At the same time is has a softer and crisper mouthfeel! We love it! Food pairing - fruit tarts, cake and chocolate!

We'll also have 5 flavors of "Outrageous Shortbreads" to try with the different wines. We've sampled these at wine tastings before and they are always a hit! The owners, Mike and Sandra, are avid wine and shortbread nuts. They are also marine biologists - so they've put their love of food and wine and their scientific training and passion to work to pair up different flavors with different wines. Mike's suggestion - try each flavor shortbread with the different wines and see what you like! That said, Mike and Sandra are sending along tasting suggestions!

September 16, 2007

September 2007 6-pack/12-pack DEAL!

Several distributors have some great deals going on some wonderful wines they are trying to move to make room for new wines for the Fall!

So, I bought a bunch and have put together one of our great 6-pack/12-pack offers! I also included a few new wines I just tried that aren't at "clearance" prices - but, they taste GREAT and are excellent values as well.

Remember, you can buy just a bottle or 2!

Or, you can buy the 6-pack or 12-pack!

Or, you can mix-and-match as you want!

Just let me know via phone (865-3993) or e-mail!


The 6-pack

Reg. $80.94
Sale $61.94

That's over 23% off the regular price!

Belle Mare Vin de Pays des Collines de la Moure Picpoul-de-Pinet 2006 (France) Reg. $11.99 Sale $8.99 - This is a rocking good Picpoul-de-Pinet (that's the grape) from Southern France! Nice tropical fruit aromas. One of the cool things about Picpoul is that it has tons of tropical fruit in the flavors and a dry finish. This also has nice minerality on the finish. It's one of the outstanding values one of our favorite importers, Steven Berardi, ferrets out from the most obscure places! Food pairing - Picpoul is often referred to as Southern France's Muscadet - yes, this is an awesome wine with shellfish and seafood (especially mussels and oysters).

Belle Mare Vin de Pays des Collines de la Moure Rosé 2006 (France) Reg. $11.99 Sale $8.99 - It's still warm enough for a great tasting rosé! This has great minerality and subtle raspberry and strawberry aromas. Flavors of minerals, flowers, raspberries and strawberries. Nice length on the finish. 100% Grenache. Stainless steel fermentation. Another great find from importer Steven Berardi! Food pairing - grilled chicken, grilled pork, salads. Sitting outside and sipping on a nice Indian summer's day!

Grange des Rouquette Marsanne Viognier Vin de Pays d'Oc 2005 (France) Reg. $13.99 Sale $9.99 - Wonderful classic blend from the South of France! Aromas of white peaches, green apples, baking spices & flowers. Flavors of white peaches, apples, melons and nuts. This is juicy and smooth! Nice acidity and crisp, clean finish. Mostly Marsanne (about 70% and the rest is Viognier). Food pairing - veal, tuna, chicken, salads, wonderful with lots of appetizers. Drinks well as a cocktail wine. Jane MacQuitty, Top 100 Summer Wines, "The Times," June 2007

Vinha da Tapada Coelheiros Cabernet Sauvignon 2002 (Portugal) Reg. $14.99 Sale $11.99 - This is a beautiful "old world" red! This has good, soft rich fruit in the aromas and flavors. Aromas and flavors of red berries, green peppers, vanilla, earth, minerals and herbs. This has a nice back-end to it that is driven by an earthy, soft fruit quality. Long finish. Soft tannins. Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Castelão (also known as Periquita). Aged 6 months in 2nd year French oak barrels. Bottle aged before released from the winery. From the Alentejo region of Portugal. Food pairing - steak, lamb, beef, roasted and grilled chicken, pork tenderloin, "pork and clams" (a national dish in Portugal), mushroom dishes, etc.

Step Road Black Wing Shiraz 2005 (Australia) Reg. $13.99 Sale $11.99 - Wonderful Shiraz and a great value! Medium-bodied. Aromas of ripe berries, pepper & spice. Soft, supple, lush feel in the mouth. Flavors of dark berries and black cherries, chocolate and earth. Good balance b/t fruit, acidity and tannins. Rich and soft in the middle. Long finish. Aged 12-18 months in French & American oak. The winery attracts hawks to the area to deter the little birds that would eat all the grapes! Food Pairing - roasted and grilled meats. Drinks well on its own! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Loma Gorda Old Vine Garnacha Syrah 2005 (Almansa, Spain) Reg. 13.99 Sale $9.99 - At the regular price, this is a great value from Spain! Aromas of ripe red berries, cherries, plums, blackberries, herbs, vanilla and a little smoke. Nice ripe fruit flavors. Notes of peppery and baking spices. Nicely integrated tannins and acidity. Hints of toasty oak. Nice length on the finish. High altitude old vine Grenache (65%) and Syrah (35%) vineyards. From the little-known area of Almansa, southwest of Valencia, not far from the Mediterranean. From Aurelio Caestrero, owner of importer "Grapes of Spain" - one of my favorite Spanish importers. Aged 6 months in French and American oak barrels. Food pairing - drinks well withouth food! Great with grilled meats, pasta, lasagna, etc. Michael Franz, Wine Review Online, 88 points

The 12-pack


Reg. $182.88
Sale $145.88
10% Case Discount = $131.29

That's a 28% savings off the regular price!


Javier Sanz Rueda Villa Narcisa Verdejo 2006 (Spain) $13.99 - This wine is an absolute blast to drink - Verdejos are just tasty and fun! Rich, aromatic tropical fruit nose with citrus and mineral aromas. Crisp and intensely flavorful. Green apple, white peaches and melon fruit flavors. You might notice a bubble or two on your tongue. Nice acidity. Soft, rich feel. 100% Verdejo - "THE" white wine grape in Rueda. Stainless steel fermentation. Food pairing - Try with seafood, paella and lighter foods.

Bremerton Tamblyn Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz/Malbec/Merlot 2004 (Australia) $19.99 - A small, family-run winery that makes AWESOME wines in Langhore Creek! Rich, dark and red berry aromas and flavors. Distinctive Aussie pepper notes in the nose and flavors. Elegant, with deep rich flavors. An awesome Aussie blend - Cabernet (52%), Shiraz (30%), Malbec (12% and Merlot (6%). The grapes are 100% estate-grown. Deep, vibrant color. Food pairing - grilled and roasted meats, rich meals. Tastes great alone! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Classico 2004 (Italy) $14.99 - The classic red wine for everyday drinking in the Veneto. Aromas and flavors of red berries, dark berries, cherries, plums, herbs and spice. Moderately tannic with nice acidity. Has a little of that quintessential Italian "dustiness." This is fresh and bright. Nice length on the finish! 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. No barrel aging or fermentation. 1,100 cases made (the winery only makes 4,000 cases). Food pairing - Wonderful with chicken, duck, pork, spicy foods, tuna, salmon and more!

Vinansar Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo 2005 (Spain) Reg. $12.99 Sale $9.99 - Excellent red blend from Castille. Aromas and flavors of raspberries, red currants, strawberries and spices. Lots of spicy red fruits in the flavors. This is a fresh mouthful of wine that drinks easily. Soft, subtle tannins. Blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon & 50% Tempranillo. Estate-grown grapes. Stainless-steel fermentation and aged 4 months without oak. Cabernet and Tempranillo are fermented separately and blended after vinification. Food pairing - grilled chicken, hamburgers, pork tenderloin, lasagna, etc. Drinks well without food!

Petit Grealo Sero Costers del Segre Subzona Artesa 2002 (Spain) Reg. $17.99 Sale $9.99 - In many ways this reminds me of a Priorat - it's just not at a Priorat price! Wonderful wine that benefits from the bottle aging it has! Lots of dark berry and raspberry fruit aromas and flavors. Nice minerality in the flavors. Well-balanced acidity and tannins. Blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Fermented in stainless steal. Aged 12 months in stainless steel before bottling. Bottled unfiltered. Single Vineyard. Food pairing - great with steaks, burgers, lamb, grilled and roasted meats, mushroom dishes, etc.

Shannon Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (California) Reg. $21.99 Sale $15.99 - This is a wonderful California Cabernet! Aromas of dark berries, ripe black plums, hints of toasty oak, vanilla and baking spices. Flavors of blackberries, cassis, blueberries, baking spices, vanilla and herbs. Medium-bodied. Smooth. Nice wine. Long, pleasing finish. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Aged 9 months in French oak (20% new). Bottled Sept. 28th, 2006. 687 cases made. Food pairing - Drink with steak, beef, duck, rich mushroom dishes, etc.! Drinks great on its own!

September 9, 2007

The COOLEST wine in a LONG, LONG time!

The coolest wine I’ve tasted in a LONG time!

Clos Uroulat Jurançon 2004 (France) $33.99

From the wine’s name - Jurançon to the obscure and remote area in France that is its home to the history of the area and winemaking there to the aromas and flavors of this wine – I just love this entire story, wine and the winery and winemaker!

This just ROCKS!

This is a Vin Moelleux – it’s lush, round, soft with moderate sweetness and nice acidity. The color is a deep, beautiful golden yellow. Flavors of almonds and tropical fruit. It starts sweet and it finishes dry and crisp – that’s one of the things I love about it! It has this richness and fullness the entire time you are tasting it and smelling it. It lasts and lingers. You don’t rush through this wine! You savor it!

Even if you CLAIM to not like sweeter wines, I DARE you to not enjoy this wine!

I showed this as part of a tasting I donated to the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden fundraising auction. The tasting was over Labor Day Weekend. Doug from SOPO had brought this by earlier in the week. As soon as I tasted it, I knew I was taking this to the tasting with me! It was the runaway hit of the evening – and everyone there was saying, “I don’t usually like sweet wines, but I LOVE this;” or, they were asking, “Do you have more of that unusual wine from France?”

The French poet Colette loved this wine – “When I was a teenager, I met a passionate prince, imperious traitor, like any great seducer, the Jurançon.”

This winery and region in Pau in the Pyrénées mountains is nearly in Spain. This area introduced the “Appellation Controllee” system to France – this is the system that determines whether an area is worthy of having a named “appellation” and it holds winemakers to the production standards traditional to that area. In the 14th century, The Princes of Béarn and the parliament of Navarre also introduced the concept of “Cru” to winemaking by identifying and valuing specific vineyards sites as being superior. Legend has it that a drop of Jurançon Moelleux wine moistened the lips of infant Henry IV at his baptism in 1553.

Charles Hours is the winemaker and owner. I look at Charles and he is just a man I want to share a meal with and drink his wine with the food of his home! The grape is Petite Manseng. The grapes partially dry on the vine – the same as is done with Sauternes. They hand-harvest the grapes and it takes multiple passes through the vineyard to complete the harvest because they are looking for grapes of a specific ripeness. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels (25% new). The vines are Espalier-trained – this is a special trellising system – you need to see the picture in this link. They trellis the grapes in this fashion to minimize mold and rot.

The importer is Martine Saunier. She’s French-born. She is one of the best importers in the USA. Her family made wine in Burgundy. In 1979, after several years working for other importers, she created the first American wine importer owned and operated by a woman. Her portfolio is IMPRESSIVE! These are REAL wines that TASTE of a PLACE!

Food pairing - Goes grilled poultry, pork, smoked fish, freshwater fish, seafood & ham. Also goes well with spicy Asian fare, such as Thai food. This will pair well with paté. It drinks well on its own and it paired up well with chocolate-covered strawberries. Drinking this, I wanted to try it with a leg of lamb coated in rosemary! I think it'll work great!

Small Vineyards Imports, Italian Wine Tasting Recap!

Small Vineyards Imports
Italian Wine Tasting
Featuring winemaker, Lorenzo Gatteschi
Thursday, Sept. 6th, 5:30 – 7:00pm


This tasting was a blast!

To those of you who came to the tasting, thanks for coming and the positive feedback! If you didn’t come, you missed out! This was so cool and such fun! Great wines! Awesome, friendly guy who knows the wines talking about them! WOW! Great night!

Lorenzo Gatteschi, the importer and also a winemaker, was as charming and passionate as one would expect of an Italian. Like many Italians, he speaks with his hands! A lot! Lorenzo told me to not worry about not knowing Italian when I visit – he showed me how to talk with my hands – “I’m thirsty.” “I’m hungry.” “I’m sleepy.” He said if I know those and smile and am friendly, I’m good to go!

He knows the wines he imports like most parents know their children – and to Lorenzo, these wines and the people who make them are his family!

Small Vineyards is an importer that specializes in Italian wines. They only import Italian wines and they only work with small producers who own their own farms and wineries. Most of these wineries produce less than 4,000 cases in total each year.

Lorenzo Gatteschi’s family makes wine in Tuscany – Chianti Classico Riserva, a Super Tuscan (Merlot) and a “declassified” Sangiovese (the Chianti grape) – it’s declassified because the vines are too young to make Chianti Classico. Lorenzo is also the “public face” of Small Vineyards in the USA – he travels around and talks about the wines and tastes people on them. Lorenzo is 38-years old and he’s the first generation to leave this family town and work much of the year away from it.

Small Vineyards philosophy is a simple one – and it is one we wholeheartedly embrace! The best wines come from producers who care deeply about the wine and the vineyards. Small Vineyards Imports employs a cork-to-cork method - they are involved with the wine from before it goes into the bottle and until you open it – hence Tappo a Tappo (cork-to-cork).

These wines are brought to Maine by Mariner Beverages – one of the new, specialty distributors in Maine! Several of these wines are BRAND NEW to MAINE!

The Wines!

The Whites:

Marchetti Verdicchio dei Castello di Jesi 2005 $13.99 - This is one of the best Mediterranean whites under $15 I've ever tasted! Wonderful citrus and mineral flavors and aromas. This also has notes of green apples and tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity and loads of minerality throughout the wine. Picks up a little nuttiness (almonds?) on the finish. Long, crisp finish! Maurizio Marchetti is the winemaker - he's a passionate artist when it comes to wine and painting. His wife is a top-notch cardiologist, so Maurizio likes to say that she brings home the "pancetta" (bacon), which frees him to make wine and paint! In reality, Maurizio's great, great-grandfather was a highly successful spice trader years ago, buying all the land that Maurizio uses to farm. The good news is Maurizio feels little-to-no financial pressure when it comes to his wines - so, he only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). From "first-run" juice. The grapes are not "crushed" for this wine - the juice runs freely. 250-year-old estate. Bottled in the classic "amphora" shape that Verdicchio has made famous (oddly, this packaging is a modern invention). 2,100 cases made. Food pairing - seafood, shellfish, swordfish, etc. Great with poultry. Drinks well on its own, but this is really a food wine!

Le Rote Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2005 (Tuscany, Italy) $16.99 - One of the best Vernaccias I have tasted! Aromas and flavors of flowers, minerals, spice and citrus. This wine is big and lush. Most definitely, not a wimpy, watery white - this has some backbone to it! It's bright, fresh and vibrant....and it packs a little punch! Michelangelo once said of Vernaccia, it "tickles, licks, bites and stings." Vernaccia is THE classic white wine of Tuscany! It's the 1st wine in Italy to earn DOC status! Husband-and-wife team that produces a tiny amount of wine from 35-year-old vines. Fermented and aged in stainless steel.. Aged 3 months in the bottle. 1,000 cases made (the winery only makes 2,500 cases total). Food pairing - white fish, shellfish, salads. Definitely a perfect summer food wine!

The Reds:

Giuseppe Martorana

This is one of the few small, family-owned wineries in Sicily that bottles its own wine. It's in SW Sicily, near Agrigento. Giuseppe Martorana is the winemaker. Giuseppe's father has never left Sicily. Giuseppe spent 15 years with the Italian police - mostly in Florence protecting a famous judge during the Mafia trials - he witnessed firsthand the wine renaissance in Tuscany. He knew Sicily had the same potential - so he returned home to make wine. His father told him no one would ever care about his "modern" techniques...that this was just Sicilian wine....the day he told his father their wine was going to America, his father cried (tears of joy and respect for his son).

Martorana* Contrada Ragabo Nero d’Avola 2005 (Sicily, Italy) $9.99 - This is simply delicious, fun-to-drink and a great value! This just rips with aromas and flavors of fresh, ripe blueberries, black plums, black cherries and almonds. You also pick up a hint of rhubarb. Soft tannins. Well-balanced acidity. Dry finish that just smacks of dark berry fruit! When asked to describe his wine, Giuseppe said he wanted a wine that is easy to drink, that "when you are finished eating with your family, you notice 3 or 4 empty bottles on the table." Made from 70-year-old vines. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Aged 4 months in the bottle. "Green-harvesting" to lower the yield and improve the grapes. High-density planting in the vineyards to stress the vines and improve the grapes. 4,166 cases made. Food pairing - this is a perfect summer red! Great for grilling! Great for drinking on the deck or patio with friends!

Martorana* Nero d’Avola 2004 (Sicily, Italy) $17.99 - From the volcanic soils of Agrigento on the West coast of Sicily, comes one of the great grape varietals of the world. Nero d’Avola is an early ripening, full-bodied varietal with generous aromas of ripe plums, dark chocolate, berry cobbler, and almonds. The Martorana family has been making wine for three generations, and still hand-harvests in wicker baskets. The vines are from 30 - 90 years old, and Giuseppe Martorana harvests extremely low-yields, one of the lowest in the South of Italy. Thus, the wine has great mineral complexity and elegance. It has an appealing gentle cream to its mouth-feel. Ageworthy for 10 years-plus. Food pairing – roasted and grilled meats. Stews. Mushroom dishes.

Giuseppe Lonardi

This was a highlight of the most tasting. Tasting 3 distinctly different versions of Valpolicella!
  1. Classico
  2. Ripasso
  3. Amarone
This is a tiny winery in a village close to Verona, in the gorgeous hills of Valpolicella. The winery only makes 4,000 cases each year. We are tasting 3 of its wines.

Giuseppe Lonardi (Bepi to his wife) is a 4th generation winemaker. His wife, Marilena, runs a small bistro near the wine cellars. She makes a wonderful Amarone-infused risotto - according to Lorenzo this is the most INCREDIBLE dish EVER - 2 bottles of Amarone, 6 hours of stirring the risotto....then heaven in a bowl!

Bepi has a great toast, “Peccato gravissimo ē quello di stare senza vino e senza amante.” Translation: “It is a grave mistake to live without wine and a lover.”

His friends says the 3 most important things in Giuseppe’s life are food, wine and his wife. He laughs and says, “Not necessarily in that order!” We just don't know the order - only Bepi does!

Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Classico 2005 (Italy) $14.99 - The classic red wine for everyday drinking in the Veneto. Aromas and flavors of “dusty” red berries, dark berries, herbs and spice. Moderately tannic with nice acidity. 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. No barrel aging or fermentation. 1,100 cases made (the winery only makes 4,000 cases). Food pairing – Wonderful with chicken, duck, pork, spicy foods, tuna, salmon and more!

Giuseppe Lonardi Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2003 (Italy) $26.99 - One of the best Ripassos I’ve tasted! Wonderful focused aromas of blackberries, flowers and herbs. Flavors of bright, fresh dark berries, herbs, violets, and dark cherries. Great length on the finish. Fine-grained tannins. 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. Some of the grapes are dried and all of them are “passed over” the “lees” from a previous Amarone vintage – extracting the richness and lushness from that legendary wine’s “big” style, but leaving a wine that is more approachable at a younger age! Aged 6-10 months in Slavonian barriques and 3-6 months in the bottle. 1,800 cases made (the winery only makes 4,000 cases). Food pairing - Drink with a rich meal or just enjoy!

Giuseppe Lonardi Amarone 2001 (Veneto, Italy) $69.99 - This is one big, bold, powerful wine! Aromas and flavors dried dark fruit, chocolate, cedar and baking spices. Huge and voluptuous in the mouth. Just a massive mouthful of wine! As big as it is, this is well-balanced! Giuseppe Lonardi is a tiny winemaker. He and his wife own an inn and farm in the Veneto. And, he makes some of the best wine in the world! 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella & 5% Molinara. The grapes are dried for 100 days (losing 30-40% of their liquid). 100% Aged 24 months in 100% 2nd use oak barrels (50% barrique and 50% tonneaux). Aged 6-10 months in the bottle. 750 cases made. This will age for 30 years! Food pairing - lamb or steak. This is one wine that I'd rather have after dinner with a couple of friends and just linger over!

Lorenzo Gatteschi’s Wine

Podere Ciona Montegrossoli IGT 2004 (Tuscany, Italy) $16.99 – This is Sangiovese (the Chianti grape) with 5% Alicante Bouschet! Classic Italian red with aromas and flavors of red berries, some Provencal herbs, a little dust and a little earth. Well-balanced and integrated tannins and acidity. Eating a little chicken or beef with this wine really transformed the flavors and texure! I loved this!

They don’t make Chianti Classico Riserva from these vines because they are too young – otherwise this vineyard is smackdab in the middle of the Chianti Classico region and one day soon the vines will be old enough to produce their much more expensive Riserva. Right now, we are the fortunate The family makes less than 1,000 cases each year. Their vineyards are among the highest elevations in Chianti Classico in the hills of Montegrossi near Gaiole. Food pairing – poultry (chicken, turkey, duck), pork, mushroom risotto or pasta dishes. This is a perfect wine with Thanksgiving Dinner! So perfect, that I special ordered 4 cases of it for delivery in November!

Maurizio Marchetti

Marchetti* Rosso Conero 2004 (Marche, Italy) Reg. $18.99 Sale $17.99 - A wonderful wine from the Marche! Aromas & flavors of vanilla, dried berries - raspberries, cranberries & blackberries, dark plums, spices (pepper & baking), & dark, bittersweet chocolate. Well-balanced acidity & tannins. Full-bodied. Long, rich finish. 90% Montepulciano & 20% Sangiovese. Aged 18 months in older Slavonian oak barrels & 2 months in the bottle. 2,500 cases. Maurizio Marchetti is the winemaker - he's a passionate artist when it comes to wine and painting. His wife is a top-notch cardiologist, so Maurizio likes to say that she brings home the "pancetta" (bacon), which frees him to make wine and paint! In reality, Maurizio's great, great-grandfather was a highly successful spice trader years ago, buying all the land that Maurizio uses to farm. The good news is Maurizio feels little-to-no financial pressure when it comes to his wines - so, he only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). Food pairing - steaks, lamb, grilled meats, rich vegetarian dishes, etc.!

"Wines of the Month" Program

Wines of the Month!

A Great way to try different wines!

A perfect gift for someone!

Here are the basics of our "Wines of the Month" club.

You should join, if you are not a member. Why should you join?
  1. Try new wines you wouldn't otherwise taste.
  2. Learn about different winemaking regions and wineries.
  3. Have fun (after all, it's grape juice - the best way to learn and enjoy wine is to try new things!).
  4. Makes a great gift (maybe for yourself)!
  5. The more people we have at each level, the more likely we can bring wines into Maine that are not currently available!
  6. Earn a discount on ALL wine purchases! (10% off on all wine purchases - non-members still get a 10% case discount; 15% off on all full case - same wine purchases; 15% off on all of our 12-pack mixed case offers!).

We have Three Tiers or price levels for our Wines of the Month Club.

You may sign up for one, two or all three tiers - OR, you may sign up for reds only, whites only or just one wine - whatever works for you!....and you may change your choice each month!!!)....we want you to try new wines and we want to make this easy for you. So, you tell us what you want to do!

These will be interesting, tasty, unusual wines that you won't find everywhere and they'll represent great values! Some months, we'll offer an optional bottle or 2 or 3 (maybe a dessert wine or a sparkling wine or a dry rose). You don't need to buy the optional bottle(s).

At each Tier (price level), we'll pick 2 wines for you - 1 white & 1 red.

  • Tier 1 - $9-15/bottle
  • Tier 2 - $16-24/bottle
  • Tier 3 - $25-50/bottle

Again, you can select from this list and choose what you want each month....or choose to take nothing in that month.If you are from "away," we will hold these wines for when you return to Maine.

Maine has a quirky law - we must pay for wine the moment it arrives in the store - so, we ask that you give us a credit card number to bill for your "Wines of the Month." We don't bill it until Sunday evening of the 1st weekend in the month - and we never bill it until you have told us what you want.

That's it. It's pretty simple. I guarantee you'll taste some interesting wines!

Eric

September Wines of the Month - 2007

It's time for the....

September Wines of the month!

If you are wondering about the details of our wine of the month club, scroll down to find the particular post on our blog....or e-mail me.

Being a member of our “Wines of the Month” program provides the following benefits:
  1. earns you a 10% discount on all wine purchases (if you are not a member, you still get a 10% discount on case purchases - 12 bottles of wine; mixed or full).
  2. “Wines of the Month” members also get a 15% discount when buying a complete case (12 bottles of the same wine).
  3. 15% off on the "Mixed 12-pack" wines we offer!

September's Wines

We are working with David Joseph, owner of DaVine Wines. DaVine is one of the 2 newest, specialty distributors in Maine – we really love their wines and importers – a great note at this link on the value of paying attention to the importer!

Tier 1 - $9-15/bottle

We're off to Southern France (red) and Chile (white) this month. What they have in common is that both are made by masterful French winemakers.

The White:

Viña William Fèvre La Misión del Clarillo Chardonnay 2005 (Chile) $11.99 – Can you imagine selling off Grand and Premier Cru vineyards in Chablis in the 1990's and searching the world for better winemaking areas? Well, that is just what William Fèvre did!

This is a beautiful wine! Aromas and flavors of pears, white peaches, green apples, melons, pineapple, minerals and hints of smoke. It has a round, smooth mouthfeel. Nice length on the crisp finish. The hint of smoke is characteristic of some vines from the Pirque area in the Maipo Valley. Unoaked Chardonnay – fermented and aged in stainless steel. Food pairing – seafood, poultry, dishes with a cream sauce. Drinks well without food.

At the end of the 18th century, French missionaries arrived in Chile. They settled near the Clarillo River, in the Maipo Valley. They discovered that the area had great potential for winemaking.

William Fèvre has been one of the most important Chablis Grand Cru producers of the last 30 years! In the 1990's, he sold his holdings in Burgundy and moved his winemaking to Chile.

The La Misión Chardonnay vines are from the highest elevations in Pirque’s vineyards, smack dab in the middle of the Maipo Valley, about 2,000 feet above sea level. The altitude moderates the temperatures – Chardonnay is, after all, a grape that enjoys the cool climate of Burgundy! The grapes are pressed in the “Champagne” method - this involves gently pressing the grapes in entire bunches. Hand-harvested grapes. Fermented in stainless steel. Approximately 3,500 cases made.

The Red:

Domaine de la Mordorée Renaissance Merlot Marselan 2005 (France) $14.99 – Mordorée translates “woodcock” – this winery practices sustainable agriculture. The "woodcock" is their emblem and trademark because this wonderful gamebird is a symbol of well-preserved, almost wild areas....and it is a gamebird that takes perseverance and work and thought to bag. The Delorme brothers apply the same approach to making wine - bear in mind, they believe the best wines are made in the vineyard, not the winery, so they work their X's off in the vineyards!

This is a fabulous Southern French blend made from a grape many of us have never known – Marselan. Marselan is a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. This has a deep red color. Loads of blackberries, raspberries and flowers (violets) on the nose. In terms of flavors, this is rich and big and has the same red and dark berries from the aromas. Well-balanced tannins and acidity. Food pairing – most any grilled and/or red meats. Awesome with game birds! Rich mushroom dishes. Hearty stews.

Importer Fran Kysela says this is “arguably the top estate in his Portfolio.” Domaine de la Mordorée is in the town of Tavel, in the Southern Rhône Valley. It’s owned and operated by the brothers Christophe and Fabrice Delorme. They farm by “culture raisonnée,” which is very close to organic farming (they only intervene in the vineyard when necessary – think of it as going to the doctor when you have strep throat or a broken bone).

Tier 2 - $16-24/bottle

We’re off to the Italian peninsula and the island of Sardinia. Many of you have heard me talk about the importance of the importer. To me, it’s a critical aspect in terms of any wine. I’ll let a couple of wine writers make their comments on the same subject!

These wines are imported by John Given. Robin Garr, of Wine Lover’s Page, writes about John Given, “is a New York-based importer who's earned my strong trust with a narrow focus on just that sort of thing: All Italian, all the time, cherry-picking a few very good producers who've escaped the attention of larger importers. He's never failed me yet.”

"The list of noteworthy Italian wine importers is a long one, but some of the important names to remember are ....John Given Wines." Joseph Bastianich & David Lynch, Vino Italiano

John Given, the importer has this to say about his wines, ““As someone who really loves wine, what I look for are wines that not only taste good, but, whenever possible, are interesting as well,” he said. “Put those two qualities together -- along with the right price -- and wine can become something more than just a beverage, but something fun! That’s what I want my wines to be.”

The White:

Cantina di Marrubiu “Anei” Vermentino di Sardegna 2006 (Sardinia, Italy) $17.99 – I’ve fallen in love with the Vermentino grape over the last 3 years and this is a classic version of Vermentino! It has a beautiful straw yellow color. Aromas of lemons, citrus, tropical fruit, almonds and fresh clean salty sea air! It’s dry, crisp, clean and fresh. The flavors mirror the aromas. Crisp, soft texture. Nice length on the finish. Crisp acidity balances the wine. “Anei” means sand in the western Sardinian dialect and the name pays tribute to the sandy soil that helps make this wine so distinctive. Stainless steel fermentation. 916 cases made. Food pairing – shellfish, fish and lighter poultry dishes. Drink young! Nice cocktail wine!

The Red:

Strade del Sole Varrone Lazio Rosso 2000 (Italy) $22.99 – This is a unique blend from a tiny family-owned winery. This wine is truly “old school” Italian. It may even be “old school” Roman! When drinking this, I picture myself drinking with the Caesars and Flavians, Livy, even Spartacus!

Aromas and flavors of dark berries, anise and licorice. Additional aromas of baking spices and flowers. Classic Italian dustiness. At the same time, this red wine has some notes I just can't place (they keep changing and evolving), but I LIKE 'EM!

60% Sangiovese Nobile and 40% Tor De’ Passeri. Aged 6 months in oak barriques. From Lazio (near Rome). This estate was founded in 1704 by Paolo Cugini. It is still run by the Cugini family (7th generation – Alessandro and Antonio Cugini). This winery is located south of Rome in the Castelli Romani area. Antonio has dedicated his life to rediscovering ancient Roman vines that disappeared centuries ago – Tor de’ Passeri is one such vine. 1,250 cases made. Food pairing – steak, duck, lamb, rich mushroom dishes, etc.

Tier 3 - $25-50/bottle

Wills Domain
Margaret River, Western Australia

Wills Domain is a tiny producer in the highly regarded, but little known Margaret River area in Western Australia. Darren & Michelle Haunold own the winery. Bruce Dukes is the winemaker.

Darren Haunold is unusual in the wine world. He is a paraplegic – at age 13, he had an unfortunate accident – he fell off the family’s roof and he’s been in a wheelchair ever since. He spends hours each day in his vineyards and winery. He’s always positive and upbeat. Being a winemaker is a physically demanding job – Darren’s wife says he is so active and positive and effective that she often forgets he is in a wheelchair.

"Darren Haunold doesn't let the fact that he's been a paraplegic since the age of 13 hold him back - whether he's pruning the vines from his wheelchair or working at the sparkling new Cellar Door with his wife, Michelle, Haunold's zest for life & enthusiasm for his wines are infectious."
Gourmet Traveller Magazine 2006

The White:

Wills Domain Semillon 2002 (Australia) $32.99 – This is a unique and fabulous Australian White! Beautiful golden yellow color. Aromas of gooseberries, toast, lemons, limes, butter, cream, minerals & subtle hints of oak. Medium-bodied with a lot of elegance and a lot going on! Flavors of apples, apple pie spices, peaches, gooseberries, lemons and limes. Bright, crisp acidity. This will age well through 2014. Food pairing – seafood, lobster, chicken, pasta dishes, spicy foods – the wine’s acidity will slice through the heat and cleanse your palate.
James Halliday, 96 points, Australian Wine Companion (Halliday is Australia’s most prominent wine writer).

The Red:

Wills Domain Shiraz 2004 (Australia) $31.99 – Wonderful, big Aussie red that shows signs of being both an Aussie wine and one with Old World Syrah characteristics. This big Aussie Shiraz has flavors and aromas of dark fruit, red fruit, smoked meats, baking spices, earth and vanilla. It has refreshing acidity and loads of flavors! The tannins are there, but not too big – so either lay this down for a little while or pair it up with a big meal! Lots of big, dark rich fruit in the wine! Long finish. You can lay this down for a few years – or you can drink it now! Food pairings – beef, steak, lamb, roasted meats and grilled meats, bold mushroom dishes, etc.

The Others:

Domaine de la Mordorée Renaissance Merlot Marselan Rosé 2006 (France) $14.99 – Mordorée translates “woodcock.” A tasty rosé blend made in part from an obscure grape – Marselan. Marselan is a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache. This is a rich and full-bodied rosé! Aromas and flavors of strawberries, flowers, raspberries and a little pepper. It’ll certainly hold up to the richer and heartier foods we’ll be eating as the weather cools – at the same time, when you are tossing some chicken or salmon on the grill, reach for this! Food pairing – poultry, pork, spicy Asian foods. This will pair well with Thanksgiving Dinner. Drinks well as a cocktail wine!

Importer Fran Kysela says this is “arguably the top estate in his Portfolio.” Domaine de la Mordorée is in the town of Tavel, in the Southern Rhône Valley. It’s owned and operated by the brothers Christophe and Fabrice Delorme. They farm by “culture raisonnée,” which is very close to organic farming (they only intervene in the vineyard when necessary – think of it as going to the doctor when you have strep throat or a broken bone).

The coolest wine I’ve tasted in a LONG time!

Clos Uroulat Jurançon 2004 (France) $33.99

From the wine’s name - Jurançon to the obscure and remote area in France that is its home to the history of the area and winemaking there to the aromas and flavors of this wine – I just love this entire story, wine and the winery and winemaker!

This just ROCKS!

This is a Vin Moelleux – it’s lush, round, soft with moderate sweetness and nice acidity. The color is a deep, beautiful golden yellow. Flavors of almonds and tropical fruit. It starts sweet and it finishes dry and crisp – that’s one of the things I love about it! It has this richness and fullness the entire time you are tasting it and smelling it. It lasts and lingers. You don’t rush through this wine! You savor it!

Even if you CLAIM to not like sweeter wines, I DARE you to not enjoy this wine!

I showed this as part of a tasting I donated to the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (if you don't know this botanical garden in Boothbay, you must! We support this each year by being members and donating a wine tasting) fundraising auction. The tasting was over Labor Day Weekend. Doug from SOPO had brought this by earlier in the week. As soon as I tasted it, I knew I was taking this to the tasting with me! It was the runaway hit of the evening – and everyone there was saying, “I don’t usually like sweet wines, but I LOVE this;” or, they were asking, “Do you have more of that unusual wine from France?”

The French poet Colette loved this wine – “When I was a teenager, I met a passionate prince, imperious traitor, like any great seducer, the Jurançon.”

This winery and region in Pau in the Pyrénées mountains is nearly in Spain. This area introduced the “Appellation Controllee” system to France – this is the system that determines whether an area is worthy of having a named “appellation” and it holds winemakers to the production standards traditional to that area. In the 14th century, The Princes of Béarn and the parliament of Navarre also introduced the concept of “Cru” to winemaking by identifying and valuing specific vineyards sites as being superior. Legend has it that a drop of Jurançon Moelleux wine moistened the lips of infant Henry IV at his baptism in 1553.

Charles Hours is the winemaker and owner. Look at this guy! I'd love to sit down at a table with him and enjoy his wines and the food of the area! The grape is Petite Manseng. The grapes partially dry on the vine – the same as is done with Sauternes or Amarone, etc. They hand-harvest the grapes and it takes multiple passes through the vineyard to complete the harvest because they are looking for grapes of a specific ripeness. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels (25% new). The vines are Espalier-trained – this is a special trellising system – you need to see the picture in this link. Look at the middle of the page. They trellis the grapes in this fashion to minimize mold and rot.

Food pairing - Goes crab cakes, Beef Wellington, grilled poultry, pork, smoked fish, freshwater fish, seafood & ham. Also goes well with spicy Asian fare, such as Thai food. Spicy mustard sauce. This will pair well with paté. It drinks well on its own and it paired up well with chocolate-covered strawberries.

September 3, 2007

Small Vineyards, Italian Wine Tasting

Small Vineyards Imports
Italian Wine Tasting
Featuring winemaker, Lorenzo Gatteschi

Thursday, Sept. 6th
5:30 - 7:00pm
Hilton Garden Inn, 5 Park Street, Freeport

$10/person to taste a flight of these wonderful wines
Please call the store (865-3993) to register and reserve a place!

Remember, this is not a seminar. You may come at any time between 5:30 and 7:00pm.

Small Vineyards is an importer that specializes in Italian wines. They only import Italian wines and they only work with small producers who own their own farms and wineries. Most of these wineries produce less than 8,000 cases in total each year.

One of the winemakers, Lorenzo Gatteschi, will be here. His family makes wine in Tuscany - both Chianti Classico Riserva and a Super Tuscan. Lorenzo is also the "public face" of Small Vineyards in the USA - he travels around and talks about the wines and tastes people on them. He's both passionate and knows his wines! Lorenzo is 38-years old and he's the first generation to leave this family town and work much of the year away from it.

I was at a tasting with Lorenzo in May. He puts on a good show. He speaks English extremely well - with a great Italian accent! He knows his stuff and he loves sharing his wines and the wines in the Small Vineyards portfolio with others!

Small Vineyards' philosophy is a simple one - and it is one we wholeheartedly embrace! The best wines come from producers who care deeply about the wine and the vineyards. They employ a cork-to-cork method - they are involved with the wine from before it goes into the bottle and until you open it - hence Tappo a Tappo (cork-to-cork).

These wines are brought to Maine by Mariner Beverages! Several of these wines are BRAND NEW to MAINE!

The Wines!

Whites - we'll taste more than 2 whites. I don't know everything Lorenzo is bringing with him.

These are the ones I KNOW we are tasting; Lorenzo will have some wines with him that are brand-new to Maine

Marchetti Verdicchio dei Castello di Jesi 2005 (Marche, Italy) $13.99 - This is one of the best Mediterranean whites under $15 I've ever tasted! Wonderful citrus and mineral flavors and aromas. This also has notes of green apples and tropical fruits. Vibrant acidity and loads of minerality throughout the wine. Picks up a little nuttiness (almonds?) on the finish. Long, crisp finish! Maurizio Marchetti is the winemaker - he's a passionate artist when it comes to wine and painting. His wife is a top-notch cardiologist, so Maurizio likes to say that she brings home the "pancetta" (bacon), which frees him to make wine and paint! In reality, Maurizio's great, great-grandfather was a highly successful spice trader years ago, buying all the land that Maurizio uses to farm. The good news is Maurizio feels little-to-no financial pressure when it comes to his wines - so, he only uses the best grapes (most years he gets no more than 1/2 a bottle from a single vine). From "first-run" juice. The grapes are not "crushed" for this wine - the juice runs freely. 250-year-old estate. Bottled in the classic "amphora" shape that Verdicchio has made famous (oddly, this packaging is a modern invention). 2,100 cases made. Food pairing - seafood, shellfish, swordfish, etc. Great with poultry. Drinks well on its own, but this is really a food wine!

Le Rote Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2005 (Tuscany, Italy) $16.99 - One of the best Vernaccias I have tasted! Aromas and flavors of flowers, minerals, spice and citrus. This wine is big and lush. Most definitely, not a wimpy, watery white - this has some backbone to it! It's bright, fresh and vibrant....and it packs a little punch! Michelangelo once said of Vernaccia, it "tickles, licks, bites and stings." Vernaccia is THE classic white wine of Tuscany! It's the 1st wine in Italy to earn DOC status! Husband-and-wife team that produces a tiny amount of wine from 35-year-old vines. Fermented and aged in stainless steel.. Aged 3 months in the bottle. 1,000 cases made (the winery only makes 2,500 cases total). Food pairing - white fish, shellfish, salads. Definitely a perfect summer food wine!

Reds - we'll taste more than 4 reds. I don't know everything Lorenzo is bringing with him.

These are the ones I KNOW we are tasting; Lorenzo will have some wines with him that are brand-new to Maine

Martorana* Contrada Ragabo Nero d'Avola 2005 (Sicily, Italy) $9.99 - This is simply delicious, fun-to-drink and a great value! This just rips with aromas and flavors of fresh, ripe blueberries, black plums, black cherries and almonds. You also pick up a hint of rhubarb. Soft tannins. Well-balanced acidity. Dry finish that just smacks of dark berry fruit! This is one of the few small, family-owned wineries in Sicily that bottles its own wine. It's in SW Sicily, near Agrigento. Giuseppe Martorana is the winemaker. Contrada Ragabo is a bright, bold Nero d'Avola from a man who only makes Nero d'Avola (the king of red wine grapes in Sicily). When asked to describe his wine, Giuseppe said he wanted a wine that is easy to drink, that "when you are finished eating with your family, you notice 3 or 4 empty bottles on the table." Giuseppe's father has never left Sicily. Giuseppe spent 15 years with the Italian police - mostly in Florence protecting a famous judge during the Mafia trials - he witnessed firsthand the wine renaissance in Tuscany. He knew Sicily had the same potential - so he returned home to make wine. His father told him no one would ever care about his "modern" techniques...that this was just Sicilian wine....the day he told his father their wine was going to America, his father cried (tears of joy and respect for his son). Made from 70-year-old vines. Stainless steel fermentation and aging. Aged 4 months in the bottle. "Green-harvesting" to lower the yield and improve the grapes. High-density planting in the vineyards to stress the vines and improve the grapes. 4,166 cases made. Food pairing - this is a perfect summer red! Great for grilling! Great for drinking on the deck or patio with friends!

Giuseppe Lonardi

This is a tiny winery in a village close to Verona, in the gorgeous hills of Valpolicella. The winery only makes 4,000 cases each year. We are tasting 3 of its wines.

Giuseppe Lonardi (Bepi to his wife) is a 4th generation winemaker. His wife, Marilena, runs a small bistro near the wine cellars. She makes a wonderful Amarone-infused risotto according to Lorenzo.

Bepi has a great toast, "Peccato gravissimo ē quello di stare senza vino e senza amante." Translation: "It is a grave mistake to live without wine and a lover."

His friends says the 3 most important things in Giuseppe's life are food, wine and his wife. He laughs and says, "Not necessarily in that order!"

Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Classico 2005 (Veneto, Italy) $14.99 - The classic red wine for everyday drinking in the Veneto. Aromas and flavors of "dusty" red berries, dark berries, herbs and spice. Moderately tannic with nice acidity. 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. No barrel aging or fermentation. 1,100 cases made (the winery only makes 4,000 cases). Food pairing - Wonderful with chicken, duck, pork, spicy foods, tuna, salmon and more!

Giuseppe Lonardi Ripassa Valpolicella Superiore 2003 (Veneto, Italy) $26.99 - One of the best Ripassos I've tasted! Wonderful focused aromas of blackberries, flowers and herbs. Flavors of bright, fresh dark berries, herbs, violets, and dark cherries. Great length on the finish. Fine-grained tannins. 75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. Aged 6-10 months in Slavonian barriques and 3-6 months in the bottle. 1,800 cases made (the winery only makes 4,000 cases). Food pairing - Drink with a rich meal or just enjoy!
Giuseppe Lonardi Amarone 2001 (Veneto, Italy) $69.99 - This is one big, bold, powerful wine! Aromas and flavors dried dark fruit, chocolate, cedar and baking spices. Huge and voluptuous in the mouth. Just a massive mouthful of wine! As big as it is, this is well-balanced! Giuseppe Lonardi is a tiny winemaker. He and his wife own an inn and farm in the Veneto. And, he makes some of the best wine in the world! 100% Valpolicella (75% Corvina, 20% Rondinella & 5% Molinara). The grapes are dried for 100 days (losing 30-40% of their liquid). Aged 24 months in 100% 2nd use oak barrels (50% barrique and 50% tonneaux). Aged 6-10 months in the bottle. 750 cases made. This will age for 30 years! Food pairing - lamb or steak. This is one wine that I'd rather have after dinner with a couple of friends and just linger over!

Podere Ciona (Tuscany, Italy) - Lorenzo Gatteschi makes 2 wines - a Chianti Classico and a Super Tuscan. I don't know which ones he is bringing to taste! We'll see. The family makes less than 1,000 cases each year. Their vineyards are among the highest elevations in Chianti Classico in the hills of Montegrossi near Gaiole.