Submitted by Wine Reviews from the Wine School
While the Wine School’s Hardy Boys wre laying waste to Spain’s porcine population yours truly was engaged in exhaustive research concerning patterns of wine consumption among Italians. Specifically, what will they be drinking as the solstice creeps over the Apennines.
My unscientific poll among winemakers, barristas, resterateurs and enoteca proprietors traversed Tuscany, meandered along the Adriatic from Rimini to Pescara, and wound through the hinterlands of Abruzzo to Rome….and yielded no consensus. Nor did a perusal of lists in a dozen or so wine bars, most of which were representative of their particular region. Which left personal observation and casual conversation as the most fruitful methods. Italians will talk wine as long as it doesn’t interfere with actually drinking the wine.
Generally speaking, they favor red wines and imbibe them year round, especially in Tuscany. They will, however, substitute lowered alcohol, less heat inducing whites as July and August descend on the peninsula So…some white wines that were shared and discussed along the way..usually accompanied by cuisine typical of the area (shocking, I know…food and wine in Italy). Whether Giovanni will be emptying these bottles or not, I certainly intend to.
Castello delle Sale 2006 “Conte delle Vipara”, Umbria IGT…..intensely fruuity and aromatic Sauvignon with a tad of Chardonnay that adds style and structure without sacrificing liveliness.
Santa Barbara 2007 “Pignocco”, Castelli di Jesi DOC….single vineyard, varietally correct Verdicchio. Not overwhelming or intense, but has definitive flavors of lemon backed by minerality and that tell tale bitter almond finish.
Careglio 2006 Arneis, Roero DOC….Fruits laced with honey - peaches, apple, pear. Textbook Roero lime and citrus blossoms highlighting the grape’s best qualities.
Cantine Sirch 2007 Ribolla Gialla, Collio DOC…Lively and youthful with spices, citrus, herbs carrying the fruit, all of it backed by mineral freshness.
San Filippo Fanti 2006 “Macchiarelle”, Sant’Antimo Bianco DOC…Trebbiano, soft and unassuming, the taste as bright as the yellow-verdant color, all summer flowers and young herbs.
Piero Mancini 2007 “Cucaione”, Vermentino di Gallura DOCG…Tropical fruit and Sardinian “macchia”, typical aromatics and good acidity. Clean and crisp, maintains the fruit throughout on a background of saline minerals and native flowers.
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