New Wines from Italy
I recently had the pleasure of trying some great new wines from Italy. The wines are being imported by a new distributor in New Jersey owned by Giacomo DiLisi. He has brought in some great wines from very small producers in Italy who are making high-quality wines that are farmed organically or biodynamically.
The first wine is LU CATARRATTO BY GAETANO DI CARLO (Corleone, Sicily): Lu is short for Luca, Gaetano’s son’s and father’s name, and Catarratto is the name of the grape, the most widely varietal planted in Sicily. Fermentation is done in stainless steel. This is a perfect summer white wine. It has a pale-yellow color with lots of crisp mineral notes and beautiful fruit. It is very fresh, clean, and persistent with a lasting intensity. The perfect accompaniment to raw fish, shellfish, pasta with clams, white meat, and cheese.
Next, three wines from Tenute Gorghi Tondi, in Sicily. This is a fourth-generation winery run by two sisters, Annamaria and Clara Sala. The estate surrounds a wildlife preserve with small lakes on one side and the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Nurtured by the sea breeze, the vines flourish, growing strong and abundant. The grapes are harvested in a noninvasive way without the addition of chemicals.
COSTE A PREOLA GRILLO: Coste a Preola is the name of the vineyard located closest to the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful Grillo has an elegant and intense nose, with distinct and complex varietal notes of tropical fruits, mint, pineapple, and white peach. This wine has excellent balance, is rich and fragrant with lively acidity. A bright, crisp, and clean wine, with aromas and salty flavors of the sea. Pair with fish soups, baked fish, raw fish, and shellfish. (Serve at 46-50F)
NERO D’AVOLA: Made from 100% Nero d’Avola, this organically grown wine has a bright ruby red color, with hints of violet, black cherry, and wild berries. It is rich, intense, soft, well-balanced, with excellent persistence. An excellent pairing with grilled red meats, game, truffle dishes, spicy and seasoned cheeses. (Serve at 61-64F)
DUME FRAPPATO: This is a 100% organic and natural wine. Frappato is one of the most famous varietals of Sicily. A light ruby red wine with intense fruit notes of blackberry, raspberry, and pomegranate, quite complex and fragrant. The wine is very fresh velvety and juicy. It is refreshing with a light chill. Pair with eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, or oily fish. (Serve at 53-57F)
Some other new wines from Italy you should know about:
IL VINO DI ERIKA SANGIOVESE TOSCANA (Tuscany): Made from 100% Sangiovese grape with no fining and no filtering. Vinification is done as naturally as possible in order to keep the intrinsically characteristics of the fruit unaltered. This is a bright, beautiful ruby-colored wine. It opens with fruity notes of cherry, ripe plum, blueberries, and floral violet notes. Its taste is intense with good freshness and good persistence along with elegant tannins.
CASCINA SAN MICHELE BARBERA D’ASTI (Piedmont): A delicious Barbera with aromas of currant, fresh violet, red plums, and wild strawberries along with a slight earthy component. The mouthfeel is energetic and full, very fresh with crisp fruit and great balance.
LA VEDETTA BARBARESCO (Piedmont): 100% Nebbiolo grape. The eastern exposure of the Barbaresco vines gives this wine an elegant and refined nose and palate, with lots of dark spicy fruit, and well-integrated tannins.
It’s always exciting to find new and different wines made by small producers with an eye on quality and responsible farming and winemaking practices. I’m looking forward to trying the rest of the wines in this new and exciting portfolio.
Please drink responsibly!
