December Wines We Love, #1

December Wines We Love - Great for the Holidays!

Featuring Italian Wines from Winebow

& Mariner Beverages

Wines

Sparkling

Juve Cava (Spain) $15.99 – delicious! Brand-new to Maine!

Whites

Valle Reale Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2007 (Italy) $13.99 - limited wine in Maine. Just a few cases came to the state and I have most of them! Trebbiano is produced all over Italy. Not all Trebbiano is alike. This certainly isn't! This has rich, fragrant aromas. Aromas of citrus, white pepper and flowers. In the mouth this is zesty and crisp and pops! It's full-bodied and just fills your mouth! Well-balanced acidity. 100% Trebbiano. Stainless steel fermentation at cool temperatures to make sure the fruit is bright & fresh! I bought the only cases in Maine! Food pairing - poultry, sushi, shellfish, lobster and olive oil pasta dishes.

Zenato Pinot Grigio 2007 (Italy) $12.99 - Fabulous Pinot Grigio from one of our favorite winemakers and wineries – & our favorite importer of Italian wines! Aromas of tropical fruit (pineapple, cantaloupe, apricots) and minerals. Flavors of pineapple, minerals & lime. Refreshing and smooth, with a crisp, silky, dry & long finish. Aged 4 months before bottling and a few months more in the bottle before releasing to the market. Food pairing – lighter foods, grilled or roasted poultry or pork, white meat fish, shellfish, lobster, risotto dishes, many soups….drinks well on its own!

Westerland Celebration 2006 (South Africa) $10.99 - Blend of Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc.

Rosé

Valle Reale Vigne Nuove Cerasuolo Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Rose 2006 (Italy) $14.99 - The 4th wine from Valle Reale! An AWESOME Italian Rosé! Unique and delicious rosé that is different from your typical Provencal French rosés! Spicy, peppery and light-to-medium bodied. Not a fruit bomb - this has bright, fresh strawberry aromas and flavors coupled with flowers, earth and minerals. Just a gorgeous wine that is a beautiful salmon pink color and a pleasure to drink! 100% Montepulciano. Aged in stainless steel. Bottled young and meant to be drunk young! Food pairing - salmon, tuna, grilled chicken or pork, spicy Asian dishes, spicy Tex-Mex dishes. Drinks well sitting with friends! PERFECT, I mean PERFECT, with poultry! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Reds

Falesco Vitiano Sangiovese/Merlot/Cabernet 2006 (Italy) $11.99 - This is, plainly put, a TASTY wine! An absolutely GREAT value!!! Deep ruby red color. Rich, fresh fruit aromas and flavors. Spicy, peppery finish. Well-balanced fruit and acidity. Medium-bodied. Just a classic Italian! Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot blend (equal parts). Aged 3 months in Nevers oak. Food pairing – grilled meats, mushroom dishes, lasagna, spaghetti, roasts & flavorful aged cheese. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points, “…it’s almost too good to believe at this price.”

Di Majo Norante Sangiovese 2006 (Italy) $10.99 – Each time we taste this, it impresses us! Excellent wine! Great value! Aromas and flavors of red and dark berries and mint. Smooth and refreshing in the mouth with tons of fresh fruit. Light, fresh finish. Food pairing - Great compliment to anitpasta and grilled meat. It can really handle any foods you throw at it. Great game wine. A pleasure to just drink by itself. Aged 6 months in oak. Terrific value – drinks like a Chianti costing 2-3 times. Wine Spectator, “Top Values for Under $15”

Valle Real Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2005 (Italy) $19.99 - Valle Reale Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2005 (Italy) $19.99 - Excellent, excellent, smooth and lush wine from this family-owned winery! Aromas and flavors of dark berries, spices, smoke, licorice and more. Silky smooth tannins. Full-bodied, and still it is soft and smooth. Long, long finish. 100% Montelpulciano from this estate's oldest vineyards planted back in 1975. Hand-harvested in latter October. Aged 12 months in used French oak barriques. Bottle aged for 8-12 months. Food pairing – rich and hearty pasta dishes, roasted or grilled meats, lamb, beef, mushrooms, etc. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 88 points

Argiolas Costera Isola dei Nuraghi IGT 2006 (Sardinia, Italy) $17.99 - We just love this – it’s awesome! Wonderful flavors and aromas! This is a Sardinian Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Intense berry, spice, bacon fat, licorice and earth aromas. Nose carries through in the flavors. Hint of black pepper in the mouth. Dry. Medium-bodied. Well-balanced. 100% Cannonau (Grenache). Aged 6-8 months in French oak barriques. Single vineyard. 2009-2014 maturity. Food pairing - Goes well with beef, lamb, grilled meats, tomato-based dishes and truffles or mushrooms. Decant this – needs to breathe. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 90 points

Allegrini Palazzo della Torre 2004 and 2005 (Italy) $22.99 – I have some of both…..both are awesome! What a rich, soft, elegant, great-tasting wine! A SPECIAL wine! For Amarone lovers, w/o the Amarone price tag! Velvet in a glass. Rich, complex nose – ripe fruit and spicy oak. Mouth-filling wine, but soft feel. Smooth tannins balance the dark berry and cherry flavors. Powerful. Long finish. Single vineyard blend of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella & 5% Sangiovese. Food pairing - Great food wine! Rich meals – game, mushroom risotto, lamb & more. For a special treat – try with GOOD bittersweet chocolate! Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 89 points

Sacred Stone Master's Red Blend - $10.99 - California "field blend"

Westerland Celebration 2006 (South Africa) $10.99 - Blend of Pinotage and Cinsault.

La Dote Pinot Noir 2008 (Chile) $10.99 -

Thunder Stone Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon - $14.99 - Great value and great tasting California Cabernet!

Dessert

Trentadue Chocolate Amore Port (California) $26.99 - Merlot-based Port with real dark chocolate blended in it!