2009 Monchiero Langhe Nebbiolo
The Italian viticultural area known as the "Langhe" is situated in north-western Italy in the province of Piedmonte, at the foot of the Alps. It is here you will find some of Italy's most noble red wines made from the variety known as Nebbiolo. Nebbiolo (from the word 'nebbia', which means fog) is king of the Langhe and produces wines that are lightly colored, highly tannic, and which offer scents of tar and roses.
This Langhe Nebbiolo is a great entry to the category which includes Barolo, Barbaresco, Gattinara, and a few others. Although those wines fetch much higher prices, the Nebbiolo from Monchiero will offer an expression of Nebbiolo without breaking the bank.
Light, bright ruby red color. Straightforward fruity aromas of cherry, plum, strawberry, and red flowers. A bit more depth and grip than the light color and bouncy, fruity nose would lead you to expect. The acid is strong, and noticeable tannin makes this a very food-frinedly wine. Clingy flavors of dark cherry and some roasted herbal resin.
Try it with Venison, roasted meats, pasta with a strong meat sauce, beef casseroles, and salami. $15.99
Luciana Cordioli Amarone della Valpolicella 'Classico'
Amarone is one of Italy's most noble wines. Hailing from the northern Veneto region, Amarone is produced with the Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grape varieties. The grapes are harvested ripe in the first two weeks of October and allowed to dry, traditionally on straw mats. This process is called appassimento or rasinate (to dry and shrivel) in Italian. This causes an intense concentration of the remaining sugars and flavours.
Wine Enthusiast magazine awarded this wine 89 points and had this to say:
"Young and sprightly, this bright Amarone delivers fresh notes of berry fruit, exotic spice and cola. The quality of the nose is very clean and polished, and the wine boasts sweet flavors backed by impressive intensity. Although it's ready to drink now, the wine will show even better after 2010." $54.99
Villa M 'Rosso'
Another Blair Taylor import, this is made from the Brachetto grape and is the red cousin to everyone's favorite Italian dessert wine, Moscato. If you enjoy Moscato, you'll fall in love with Villa M!
Hand-picked Brachetto grapes are rushed into the wine press to preserve their fresh and vibrant flavors. The result is a markedly sweet red with a bubbly effervescence that leaves your palate longing for more.
Grab a bottle of Villa M along with some strawberries and whipped cream and you just might end up like Mickey Rourke and Kim Bassinger in '91/2 Weeks!' $16.99
