Let's taste some wines from Italy this Friday. Grapes like Nebbiolo. Frappato, Monica, Barbera and Schioppetino from the far north to the Island of Sicily. The reds are lighter in body and will be perfect in this week's heat!
The Flight 4 - 8pm $16 for 5 pours
Roncade Pinot Grigio 2024, Venezia $16 - Bright pale gold with deliciously inviting fleshy peach gusto, fresh citrus zeal and succulent pineapple appeal and a riveting fresh finish.
Alcesti Rosso Isola Sicily 2025 $15 - Nero D'Avola and Periconne. The taste of wine is young, light, fresh, harmonious, balanced, with a good structure and soft texture. Fresh, lively aroma of the wine is filled with tones of ripe red berries and fruits.
Cantina di Casteggio Barbera 2022, Lombardy $15 - The nose opens with intense perfume of black fruits — blackberry and blueberry — layered with tart cherry, violet, and a subtle earthy undertone. Anise and dried herbs emerge with time in the glass.
Luigi Giordano 2024 Vino Rosso, Piemonte $21 - This is 80% Nebbiolo co-fermented with 20% Arneis and aged briefly in stainless steel. The Arneis helps the aromas really pop with scents of ripe raspberry and strawberry fruit accented by notes of berry blossom, spice and leather. Juicy and fresh on the palate, with tangy-ripe berry and cherry fruit, baking spice, and summery floral flavors and nicely fine-grained tannins at the end. Looking like a darker rose,
Gebbia Frappato 2023 Sicily $21 - Only 6000 bottles made. Aged 8 months in concrete tanks. Light-bodied, fruity and floral, with aromas of black plum, blueberry and fig. Rich with flavor while still soft and vibrant, bursting with inky black plum, blueberry, fig and a dusting of lavender.
Bonus Wines
Cardedu Monica di Sardinia 2024 $26 - The local Monica grape is fermented with native yeasts in cavernous cement tanks under the house. A zingy light bodied red wine. Think spicy-underbrush, herbal notes, and just a touch of fruit. Toasted fregola pasta with small clams, canned sardines, meaty olives. Good with a slight chill.
i Clivi Schioppettino Venezia Guilia 2023 $33 - The color of the I Clivi Schioppettino is brilliant ruby red with a moderate transparency. The nose reveals scents of cherry and strawberry, with a slight peppery-spiciness. Medium in body, the i Clivi Schioppettino shows prominent acidity and a delicacy reminiscent of red-fruit pulp.
Winemaker Mario Zanusso's idea is to craft a red wine consistent with the character of Ribolla Gialla (Schioppettino is also known as Ribolla Nera). This red, therefore, plays on acidity, salinity, moderate alcohol (12.5%), with a seducing strawberry color and a touch of spicy, peppery notes under the nose.
Podere Ruggeri Corsini Barolo Bussia 2021 $60 - Intense ruby red. The nose reveals an intense and complex bouquet with fruity notes of cherry and plum, complemented by savoury hints of tobacco. Rich and elegant on the palate with well-integrated tannins and a refreshing acidity, long and persistent on the finish.
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