Prinicipiano Alta Langa Leonardo Extra Brut 2016
Bubbles and summer sipping poolside – care to join me? 🇮🇹 Alta Langa DOCG, located in Piedmont, Northern Italy produces beautiful Italian Sparkling wines made in the Metodo Classico (traditional method) – be it white or rosé from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It can be either 100% of either varietal or a blend. The style can range from brut nature to extra dry. It has to be aged for a minimum of 30 months on the lees. The altitude of the region along with cooler temperatures come into play to contribute to the linear, lively acidity and expressive sparkling. 🥂Ferdinando Principiano Alta Langa Leonardo Extra Brut 2016 Alta Langa, Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹 Ferdinando Principiano is a young winemaker who inherited the family’s estate. In a short period of time, he turned it all around to be all natural winemaking & biodiversity, focused on high quality, terroir driven wines that speak to the tradition of the region. He produces phenomenal reds as well as sparkling wine. These vineyards are located at an altitude of about 750 meters (2,470 feet). This particular Extra Brut sparkling is produced according to the SoloUva method (without added sugars to promote second fermentation). 🍇 Blend of 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay ➡️Minimum 42 months lees ageing 🥂5 000 bottles produced 🥂Pours in the glass a pale lemon color 🥂Sip and you are met with a bouquet of citrus, floral, flinty minerality, ripe green apples with crispy toast. 🥂Sip and the subtle sweetness dances along with the fine, persistent bubbles. The energetic acidity compliments the fine, persistent bubbles. It has a fresh edge to it of crisp green apple, lemon curd, tart cherry, honeysuckle, smoke, golden toast, pastry, honey that gracefully finishes on almonds and flinty minerality that just lingers and lingers. It’s freshly feminine in it’s expressive minerality, pure fruit and an energetic vibrance. Paired with my version of a Seafood Board – tarragon tuna rillette, citrus poached shrimp and local smoked peppered salmon. Perfection 🥂
Domaine Zafeirakis Limniona Rosé
Greek rosé? Absolutely! Domaine Zagerakis is 4th generation winemaking family, steeped in family tradition. The talented winemaker Christos Zafeirakis not only rescued the Limniona varietal from extinction (usually found in field blends with Xinomavro), he is 100% dedicated to the restoration of indigenous Greek varietals. Not an easy task as you can imagine! For those of you who have never heard of Limniona, it originates from Thessaly – specifically in the Karditsa and Tyrnavos areas. It’s either made as a red or rosé. On the nose it is rich, very expressive, with red fruit, herbs & minerality. The palate has a great line, with a firm but not aggressive medium tannins (for the reds) and medium bodied. It is always very balanced by the bright acidity. Domaine Zafeirakis Limniona Rosé 2019 Tyrnavos, Greece 100% Limniona Certified Organic The grapes undergo a cold pre-fermentation maceration for 8 hours and fermentation of the first must at 15°C. Pours into the glass a rich, vibrant watermelon color. Swirl and the fragrant, fresh cranberry and strawberry aromas hit you with savory sage, rosemary, ash and white blossom. Sip and the dry, medium bodied rosé is fresh and silky in texture. Lively high acidity accompanies the bright flavors of pomegranate, strawberry, cranberry, blood orange, peach, hibiscus, smokey minerality, and finishes on savory undertones of mint, sage and rosemary. It goes without saying this wine is ultra-food friendly – try a Red Snapper Crudo with lemon zest and olive oil, crab cakes with basil aioli or wood oven Prosciutto Pizza Bianca with a spinach almond and strawberry salad as I did. Have you ever tried a Greek Rosé before? If yes, which one?
Valle Las Nencias Rosé 2020
Valle Las Nencias Rosé 2020 La Consulta, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina 🍇 100% Malbec Altitude 600m (1,300 feet) 14.9%abv A family forged in wine – Multigenerational winemaking family that are not only united by blood, but also effort and love in each task performed. the Las Nencias valley Is located at 3000 m above sea level, with the backdrop view of Marmolejo glacier and the Andes mountains. The valley gets its names from the beautiful wild growing purple- blue “nencias”flowers that scatter the valley. Pours into the glass a soft salmon pink color Swirl and delicate aromas of raspberry, strawberry, white peach, violets and minerals. Sip and minerality jumps out at you to say Heeellloooo, followed crisp acidity and a hum of rhubarb, watermelon, raspberries and violets. It’s a refreshing, medium bodied wine, perfect for a day by the pool. Not a pool pounder mine you at 14.9% abv 😉 but balanced none the less. This Rosé can be enjoyed as an aperitif with soft cheeses and roasted almonds, or with grilled herb chicken or fish. A special thanks to for this lovely Argentina Rosé
Fiano di Avellino
Fiano is a grape that has been in Southern Italy for hundreds of years (13th century). The name ‘Fiano” comes from a place named Appia near Avelinno where the grape comes from. The main region in Campania is Fiano di Avellino DOCG. Fiano likes lees ageing which adds texture, flavor and weight to the wine. Fiano thrives in the volcanic soils of the Apennine Mountains. Terroir has a big impact style of Fiano which range from taut and minerally intense to nutty and rich. Fiano is a wine that can age beautifully. Ciro Picariello Ciro 906 Fiano di Avellino, Italy 2018 A cult producer of serious, age worthy whites. The winery was founded in 1997 by husband and wife team, their first vintage under their own label was not until 2004. Their 12 hectares of vineyards owe their minerality to the volcanic soils and some of the highest altitudes in Campania. This is their flagship white is at 650 meters in elevation and is their oldest vines planted in 1990. This wine is not produced every year, only in colder vintages (more acidity). Use of ambient yeasts, no filtering or fining. It sits on the lees for 12 months on in stainless steel followed at least another 12 months in the bottle before release. Fun Fact: 906 is the number of this parcel on the official Avellino map. 3500 bottles, it’s only produced in the best & coolest vintages. Pours in the glass a medium lemon color with green tinge Swirl and be delighted by aromas of honeysuckle, lemon, pink grapefruit zest, green apple, hay, flinty minerals, melon and white peach. Sip and the prickly acid hits you first, followed by ripe flavors of honeydew melon, orange zest, lemon, green apple, hay, yeast, nectarine, honey, hazelnut skins and finishes on flinty fennel vegetal note. It is a medium bodied wine that has a great freshness, complexity and layered character. Not to mention at 12.5% abv is a great summer white. Pair with scallop carpaccio with lemon oil drizzle, grilled mackerel, charred cctopus salad or pasta with peas and lentils. It’s best with well structured dishes.
Greco di Tuffo
Last but not least varietal on our virtual Campania, Southern Italy tour. Greco, an ancient variety and one of Italy’s most well known wines, grows in many places throughout Campania, but the crème de la crème Greco di Tufo DOCG. It is also found in other regions such as Puglia, Tuscany and Lazio. It often gets confused with Greco Bianco from Calabria but they are completely different. “Tufo” is named for the volcanic tuff rock that dominates the earth in which it thrives. The region’s volcanic soils, an abundance of sunshine and coastal Mediterranean breezes all contribute to the bright flavor, full body, delicately aromatic, herbal, apricot, racy, minerals. Greco is less aromatic than Fiano but has a stronger personality – it’s chalky minerality, citric and memorable in it’s structure. I Favati Greco di Tufo DOCG “Terrantica” 100% Greco di Tufo 12.5% Cantine I Favati’s story began in the early 1900s. As many wineries do, it began by producing wine for close family and friends in the traditional way. “The passion and artisanal traditions of those ancestors continue to thrive today. “ Their production is on a small scale as their focus is on quality, not quantity. Elevation at 500 meters (1,580 feet) above sea level the 2 hectares of 6-7 year old vines were grown on clay-limestone soils and harvested in the traditional method. Macerated on the lees and fermented in cool stainless steel tanks. Pours into the glass a straw yellow color. Swirl and delicate bouquet of apple, citrus, honey, yellow blossoms, apricot kernel, flint and almonds tickle your nose. Sip and you are met with both a palate coating creaminess in texture, dry wine with a brisk acidity. The fuller bodied wine carries flavors of honey, lemon peel, stone fruit, herbal fresh cut grass, ripe mango, hyacinth flowers and finishes on lingering flinty minerality. Pair with white pizza of wild porcini mushrooms, fried calamari, Butter Poached Scallops, Brandade de Morue or grilled lemon and olive oil Corvina white fish.
Stachlburg Vinschgauer Blauburgunder
Italy’s Alpine beauty of a wine region, the mountainous glacial valley of Northern Italy region of Trentino-Alto Adige is located just south of Austria. It is made up of 2 separate regions – Trentino and Alto Adige (a.k.a. Südtirol). The regions are heavily influenced by Austrian-Italian cultures. Alto Adige is quite tiny at only 13,000 acres but the region varies enough to have 7 distinct growing sub-regions. Vineyards in Alto Adige creep up the sides of glacial valleys in horizontal rows. Stachlburg Vinschgauer Blauburgunder 2016 Alto Adige Südtirol DOC, Italy Baron Sigmund von Kripp founded the Stachlburg wine estate in 1990 whereby he first planted with Pinot Noir (Blauburgunder) and Chardonnay. The castle itself is family owned since 1547. Steepest terraced vineyards at 650 meters, Vinschgau can only be reached by foot and the grapes are brought down by ropeway – hence only hand picked. Climate is sunny and dry in summer, best conditions for picky Pinot Noir – sustainably made and farmed. Vinified in steel tanks at controlled temperature, then ages for 18 months in small oak barriques with a small amount new. 4000 bottles were produced. Can be aged for 6 -8 years 12% abv Pours in the glass a pale ruby red color with garnet rim. Swirl and elegant wild red berries, forest floor, wet leaves, earthy, smoke and cloves, cured meat (bacon) and leather. Sip and fresh (medium+/high) acidity envelops the soft medium tannins while the lively flavors of cranberry, raspberry, cherry,rose petal cloves wet leaves forest floor earthy milk chocolate vanilla tobacco medium+ acid medium – soft tannins medium+ finish. It has elegance, depth and complexity. It just envelopes you like a silk scarf or a warm hug. Pairing with roasted salmon with bacon & farro risotto, lobster ravioli, wild mushroom & goat cheese pizza.
Aia dei Colombi Falanghina
Falanghina is the queen in Southern Italy. It is predominantly found in Campania and the star white of the region. There is a little grown in Puglia and Abruzzo regions of Italy. Falanghina arrived on the shores surrounding the Bay of Naples roughly 2,800 years ago with settlers from Thessaly in ancient Greece. Named for the Greek word “falango” referring to the stake used to train the vines. Aia dei Colombi Falanghina 2019 Falanghina del Sannio DOC Campania, Italy The Pascale family come from a long line of viticulturists. The 20 hectare Azienda Agricola Aia dei Colombi was founded in 2002. Located east of Naples in the chalky, limestone & clay hills of Campania. They bring their passion and knowledge previous generations. Their goal is to grow grapes and produce wines that truly and uniquely express the inherent terroir of the vineyard sites. The estate produces Falanghina, Fiano, and Aglianico. Farming methods follow the traditional with minimal to zero intervention – no or little use of chemicals, hand harvested, use of ambient yeasts. This particular wine was cool fermented in stainless steel for 5-6 months in order to preserve the freshness and aromatics. Pour into the glass pale lemon color Swirl and the fragrance of freshly picked ripe peaches & nectarines jump out of the glass along with lemon, pear, minerals and honeysuckle. Sip and the creamy, slightly oily textured wine with a fresh, lively weighted acidity and medium bodied wine. The flavors of peach, nectarine, apricot kernel, orange peel, lemon, pear, grass, honeysuckle, hazelnut, almond, brioche & honey finishes on a shiny mineral note. This is an intriguing type of wine – it has freshness, good acidity and excellent harmony. I for one fell in love with it at first taste. If you are a fan of Chardonnay this is one to give a try. I paired it with a Seafood Stew (local clams, shrimp, tomato broth topped with fried garlic, lemon zest, toasted panko crumbs & parsley) – this is a wine that shines with seafood.
Legendary Lapierre & Raisins Gaulois 2020
Gamay is Beaujolais and Beaujolais is Gamay. Located south of Burgundy, it creates a range of styles of Gamay from the newly released Beaujolais nouveau to the gorgeously ageable Cru’s. Unfortunately the regions nouveau style gave the region a bad rap in the 80s for it’s overproduction. Thanks to the Gang of Four (Marcel Lapierre, Jean Foillard, Jean Paul Thévenet and Guy Breton) the regions reputation was changed. They were the forward thinking winemakers, the revolutionary rebels who not only changed winemaking but promoted quality – less is more mentality. No more herbicides or pesticides, “natural wine” focused on old vines with lower yields = higher quality fruit. They let the grapes stay longer on the vine to develop the flavors in order to create a more structured wine. They only used the healthiest grapes and avoiding adding any sulfur, if none at all. They took a stand. They wanted change. They forever changed the perception of Beaujolais. You can’t argue with that now an you 😉 INFO: What is carbonic maceration? Beaujolais wines are made in the traditional fashion using carbonic maceration – gravity helps the fermentation happens naturally. Using whole clusters of berries which are stacked on top of each other in a sealed tank, The high levels of CO2 starts the fermentation inside the berry. The bottom berries get gently crushed due to the weight from above and provides a wine with light color, little tannins and a very approachable fruity wine. The winds are light, fresh fruit, heat of a tad spice and earthiness Marcel LaPierre Raisins Gaulois 2020 Vins de Pays, France Raisins Gaulois was the brain child the late Marcel Lapierre’s son & daughter, Mathieu & Camille. Raisins Gaulois translates to “Gaillic Grapes” which is a clever play on words by Lapierre. It’s more or less the French equivalent to shit happens, deal with it. The label itself is a giggle cartoon that reminds me of the Just for Laughs comedy festival in Montreal, Canada. The grapes are from young vines mostly within the Morgon appellation with some Beaujolais AOC. There is no “Vin de Pay Beaujolais” designation in the region therefor it has to be labelled “Vin de Pays France.” The grapes undergo typical semi-carbonic maceration without the addition of SO2, for 4-6 days. This wine is as “natural” as it gets. Their aim was to make an approachable and affordable wine that EVERYONE will enjoy. The result is a juicy red-loaded fruit wine with bright, playful fruit is low in alcohol and delightfully refreshing. Pours into the glass a spectacular, bright, jeweled ruby color with a violet rim. Swirl and pretty notes of tart red and black fruits, violets and wet earth embody the glass. Sip and let the good times roll. Bright fruit flavors of strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, cherry, bubblegum, banana, wet stone and finishes on a hum of cinnamon. It has bright acidity and light tannins. It’s a silky, aromatic and juicy unadulterated pleasure of a wine. The is a wonderful introduction to the domaine’s wines. It was made to be a fun, carefree quaffing wine. It’s as they say a “glou-glou” wine. You can’t NOT love this wine – I dare you to try and not love it. This wine begs for a slight chill and to be served alongside charcuterie, cheeses, picnics or just about anything involving fun.
Southern Italian Whites
What is your go to summer white wine/varietal? Albariño? Pinot Grigio? Sauvignon Blanc? I have been looking back through the glass in Campania and thoroughly enjoying Southern Italian White varietals. Campania brings visions of Mount Vesuvius, the Amalfi Coast and the ancient city of Pompeii. It is also one of the most varied regions in terms of topography and soils. The same volcanic soils that create unbelievable San Marzano tomato (hello Pizza Margherita that I have tried to recreate unsuccessfully back home) and squeaky, beautiful buffalo mozzarella, also produces incredibly diverse wines. Most people would “assume” that because the wines are from Southern Italy that they will be rich in flavor and full bodied. It’s quite the opposite – they are bursting with freshness and simply thirst quenchingly delicious. The wines really allows you to taste and learn about each terroir through the glass. Quick summary: Campania is the shin of Italy’s boot. Campania loosely translates to “happy land” in Latin. The region has strong a very long history dating back to the 12th century BC to both wine and vine and is one of Italy’s very oldest wine regions. The Greeks, Romans and Byzantines ancient empires all left their mark on this region. This region has an abundance of sunshine, long growing season, volcanic soils and coastal breezes – all of which encourage a bright acidity in the fruit. The top red varietal is Agliancio (big and bold) and the top white varietals in Campania are Falanghina, Fiano and Greco: Falanghina: zesty minerality with apricot kernel, honey, lemon, orange blossom and almonds notes. Fiano: green apple, pear, white blossom, orange zest and hazelnut notes Greco: brisk minerality, citrus, stone fruit, delicate herbal and yellow flowers, They all have in common – they all thrive in Campania, they all have fresh flavors, have a great acid structure, very good food pairing wine and so affordable! Who is thirsty and ready to jump on board to discover Campania?
Domaines Bunan Bandol Mas de la Rouviere Rosé
Bandol is the most revered appellation in the Provence. Mouvèdre shines in this region thanks to the coastal proximity, mediterranean climate. Provence’s leader in concentrated, big and bold age-worthy red wines as well as aromatic rosé Domaines Bunan Bandol Mas de la Rouviere Rosé 2020 Founded in 1961, Paul and Pierre Bunan, men steeped in winemaking history of the the Mediterranean, fell in love with an estate in the Bandol.The wines of the Bunan domaines are farmed organically and all hand harvested. es, that’s how much they love their vines and what they do. Blend: Mourvèdre 40%, Grenache 30%, Cinsault 30% Pours in the glass a beautiful medium salmon color. Swirl and you are hit with a bang of aromas – rose petals, watermelon, strawberry, red currant, peach and fresh wild anise. Sip and you are transported to Bandal – the medium bodied rosé has a vibranthigh acidity. The flavors are fresh and bright with nice depth – gooseberry, grapefruit, rose petals, strawberry, redcurrant and cranberry leads to fleshy ripe peach, fresh-cut watermelon, grass, lemon, melon, apple, finishing with a distinctive, salty minerality and slight bitter finish of herbs – wild lavender, rosemary, fennel, pepper, thyme & mint. I have to say this wine blew me away in it’s depth, complexity and longevity. It was just stunning from beginning to end. The wine has an edge to it which I loved. Pair with black olive tapenade & goat cheese crostini, grilled eggplant, grilled lamb burgers, roast chicken with herbs de Provence (lavender, basil, mint, rosemary, tarragon and thyme) or Lebanese or moroccan cuisines.