THURSDAY NIGHT TASTING 6-8PM: SUMMER IN ITALY WITH GOLDEN VINES
Tonight will be a pleasure! You do not want to miss this! We've got wines from Italy and they all end in O! Fun to say and fun to drink! CATARATTO, PECORINO, GRECO, FRAPPATO! AND to make it even more fun, our old pal Anthony Lamonaca, the same guy who is traveling through Italy searching for these wines, is here to pour them! How lucky are we??? Plus cheese and bread.
CANTINE PEPI 2016 "GAMÈ" CATARATTO SICILY
The wines of Rosa Pepi and her daughter Erika come to life in Mazzarone in the area of Licodia Eubea, in the hills along the Dirillo river, in Southeast Sicily. DNA evidence shows Cataratto is probably an offspring of the northern Soave grape Garganega. Jed says this about the Gamè, "The Cataratto has a bright lemon flavor and a saline minerality - perfect for a hot summer day. It’s made for langostine or fried sardines, but that’s just because the Sicilians didn’t have fish tacos." $14!
COSTE DI BRENTA 2016 "ELISIO" PECORINO ABRUZZO
“Masseria Coste di Brenta” was established in 2004 in Lanciano by Augusto Tano and Anna Giovanna Di Ludovico. The property has been in Augusto’s family for many generations. It is situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Maiella mountains. Augusto and Anna came by to visit us earlier this year as we've been carrying their Montepulciano for years, when we tasted their Pecorino, we couldn't say no. Smooth, dry, with notes of wild flowers and citrus. Pair this Pecorino wine with some Pecorino cheese for a double PecorinO experience. $18!
COLLE DI SAN DOMENICO 2015 GRECO DI TUFO CAMPANIA
This estate is located in the Province of Avellino in the region of Campania. It is owned and managed since 1998 by Andrea Violano and he is assisted by his son Stefano who is also the winemaker. Greco is typically a big fat white with notes of apricots and almonds. Jed says this, "Greco is a very rich grape that historically makes textured, even luxurious wine. Some of the most luxurious are special-occasion wines that can cost a lot and demand certain pairings. What’s rare and fun is to find a more modest and lean expression of this singular Sicilian variety. More sand, more salt, all the texture - let’s leave the butter for the sweet corn and lobster." $19!
POGGIO DI BORTOLONE 2016 FRAPPATO VITTORIA SICILY
The Azienda Agricola Poggio di Bortolone was founded by the Cosenza Family at the end of the eighteenth century, immediately after Sicily’s transition out of feudalism and the annexation by mainland Italy. Since then it has been passed down from father to son. The land has been used for the cultivation of vines, olives, and wheat over many centuries and today the winery’s ancient wooden press and traditional oil mill are to be found amongst the relics of bygone days to remind visitors of their proud origins. Jed says, "Like many people, I find light Italian reds generally pretty thrilling. Frappato with all its strawberries and purple flowers is no exception, but with all that potpourri some can seem a little like your grandmother’s wine/perfume at the wrong moment. This lean beauty avoids that, displaying a taut energy instead. I think it’s the best Frappato in town." $23
