Aglianico del Taburno DOCG

March 10, 2020

Aglianico del Taburno is a red wine from Compania grown in volcanic soil in southern Italy.

Aglianico makes well structured wines that can age. It is a wine similar to Barolo with its high amount of tannins and with it’s good acidity.

The wine that got my attention is the Fontanavecchia 2010 Aglianico del Taburno Vigna Cataratte Riserva.  The wine is floral on the nose with red cherries. There is that sense of soil with its minerality coming from the vineyard’s volcanic soils. The wine is fully structured with its strong tannins and balanced with it’s high acidity.

MyFavoriteWineIs of the FontanaVecchia Aglianico is all three of these.

The 2010 Aglianico del Taburno Vigna Cataratte Riserva is a 2 Glass award winning wine from Gambero Rosso Trebicchieri 2020.

Fontanavecchia Aglianico del Turbano vigna Cataratte Riserva

Barbaresco Wine Basics

February 12, 2020

Barrbaresco wine is a wine made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes.

Barbaresco wine is made in the entire region of Barbaresco, Neive and Trieso and part of the townships of Alba (San Rocco Seno d’Elvio)

You can look at these wines as a limited production wine. Only 7,200 bottles can be made per hectare.

The Barbaresco wine ages for 26 months from the first of November of the year after the harvest. Nine of the twenty six months must be in wood barrels. Wines with the name Riserva must have been cellared for at least fifty months starting from the first of November of the year after the harvest.

Here are some Barbarescos that you do not want to miss out on.

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Wine

February 25, 2020

Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo wine is a hearty rosé wine from Abruzzo, Italy.

Abruzzo is located between the Adriatic Sea and the massifs of Gran Sasso d’Italia and Majella, This region accounts for 6% of Italy’s wine production with red wine comprising 60% of its output. The predominant grapes grown are the Montepulciano (red) and Trebbiano (white) grapes, The Montepulciano grape is also used for the traditional Cerasuolo, a hearty rosé.

This rosé is so imortant to the region that in October 2010 a separate DOC (PDO) named Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo wine was established exclusively for the rosé wines. These wines were formerly labeled as Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Cerasuolo.

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Wine

Below are 6 good examples of these rosé wines.

This above picture shows that wine making styles are the difference here. The most obvious difference can be in the color. However, what they all share in common is that they are all made with 100% Montepulciano grape variety. The color is a cherry with various shades. All of them are filled with brightness and cherries in the aroma. In the mouth, you find red fruits of cherries and strawberries, maybe a bitter almond note along with enough tannin to make this an all food friendly wine but with a balance of acidity. All of the wines finish with freshness. I am including the alcohol level to show the variations that can be found.

Tenute Barone di Valforte Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2019

100% Montepulciano 12.5 % alcohol

Terzini Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2018

100% Montepulciano 14 % alcohol

Tenuta Terraviva Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Giusi 2018

100% Montepulciano 12.5%

Tenuta I Fauri – Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Baldovino 2018

100% Montepulciano 13.5%

Torre dei Beati Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-ae 2018

100% Montepulciano 13.5%

Masciarell- Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Villa Gemma 2018

100% Montepulciano 13% alcohol

Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo – The Power in a Name


My Favorite Win IS from this selection is the 2018 Tore dei Beati Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Rosa-ae.

Barolo a Place and a Wine

February 5, 2020

Barolo is a place and a wine from Italy.

What do you do when you walk into a room that has over 200 wine producers from Italy presenting their Barolo and Barbaresco wines?

That is easy, you start tasting. But now the difficult part,which wine do I like better than the other. Is there a favorite wine in the room?

Some educational background first.

The wines are made all from 100% Nebbiolo.

Barolo is a wine but it also a municipality in the Province of Cuneo in the Italian region of Piedmont.

Barolo is produced in Barolo, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d’Alba and part of the municipalities of La Morrra, Novello, Montforte d’Alba Roddi and Cherasco.

Barolo wine to some can be seen as pricey. Some of the strict guidelines that the wines are made within are:

  • The maximum production is 7,200 bottles per hectare.
  • The wine needs to age a minimum of 38 months from the first of November of the year after harvest. At least 18 months must be in wooden barrels.
  • When the wine is called a Riserva, the wine has been in the producer’s cellar for 5 years starting from the November 1st of the year after the harvest

Favorite Wines Tasted

With so much to choose from to taste MyFavoriteWineIS Barolo. Here are some of the wines that caught my attention.

Our favorite Baberesco wines will follow.

  • Ellena Giuseppe 2012 Riserva Barolo
  • Ellena Giuseppe 2016 Barolo
  • Carlo Revello and Figli 2011 Barolo Giachini
  • Anna Maria Abbona 2014 Bricco San Pietro Barolo
  • Deltetto 2012 Bussia Barolo
  • Gigi Rosso 2013 Arione Sori Dell’Ulivo Riserva Barolo
  • Conterno 2013 Francia Barolo
  • Massolino 2011 Vigna Rionda Serralunga d Alba Riserva
  • Essenze 2015 Barolo di Serralunga d Alba Vite Colte
  • Enrico Serafino 2015 Barolo Serralunga d Alba
  • Palladino 2013 Riserva San Bernardo Serralunga d Alba
  • Contadin Bricco Maiolica del Comune di Diano d’ Alba Barolo
  • Elio Altare 2013 Barolo Riserva Cerretta
  • Fratelli Revello 2013 Barolo Cerretta
  • Davide Fregonese 2016 Barolo Cerretta
  • Fratelli Ferrero 2015 Bricco Manzoni Barolo
  • Fratelli Ferrero 2013 Conca Barolo
  • Cascina Del Monastero 2013 Bricco Luciani Barolo
  • Luciano Sandrone 2012 Barolo Cannubi Boschis
  • Silvano Bolmida 2013 Bussia Riserva
  • Sobrero Pernanno 2013 Riserva Barolo
  • Tenuta Carretta 2013 Barolo Cannubi
  • Viberti 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Delle Viole
  • Casetta Case Nere 2010 Barolo
  • Beni Di Batasiolo 2011 Boscareto Barolo

Gruet Sparkling Wine Ages

February 9, 2020

Gruet Sparkling Wine is from New Mexico in the United States.

I found this bottle of Gruet sparkling wine Brut buried in my cellar. I thought I found a bottle to be used for cooking. Instead I found that this non vintage Gruet sparkling wine brut aged very well. This bottle must be at least 15 years old. This wine is 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir.

Bling tasting I would not estimate this to be a domestic sparkling wine.

This bottle of Gruet Sparkling Wine Brut was dark golden in color. Small bubbles zipping to the top of the glass on the first day. Aromatic.Soft notes of caramel, with ripe fruits. On the palate the caramel is like a caramel apple along with delicate nuttiness. Refreshing. It was great with Manchego cheese and just by itself.

On the second day of the bottle being opened , the last glass was even more aromatic. The bubbles got tired though.

Gruet Sparkling Wine Brut Ages

2016 Ivica Pilizota – Plavina from Croatia

December 6, 2019

2016 Ivica Pilizota Plavina is from Dalmatia, Croatia. The wine is made from 100% of the Plavina grape.

Plavina can also be called Plavka or Plajka. This is a grape varietal indigenous to Croatia. Plavina is grown in the wine region of Dalmatia. Dalmatia is a narrow area of land on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea.

In tasting this 2016 Ivica Pilizota Plavina wine, freshness is your first impression. There are raspberries and some earthiness along with a gentle tannic structure. Although not as refined as in a burgundy red wine. Cool climate Pinot Noir like even though from a warmer climate area and comes in at 13% alcohol. 2016

Adding this, 2016 Ivica Pilizota Plavina to our value wine list at an average retail price of $14.

2016 Ivica Pilizota Plavina Wine from Croatia

Distributed by VINUM USA and can be found locally in the USA.

Domaine Mussy Pommard Epenots

May 28, 2019

Domaine Mussy estate farms 6 hectares and about two thirds are Premier Cru vineyards. This 1990 is a Premier Cru from the appellation of Pommard Epenots.

As we can see in this image, the wine is showing it age with fading along its edges and having a brilliant brickish color.

This 1990 Domaine Mussy Pommard Epenots Premier Crus is perfumey on the nose. There are mushrooms, strawberry and other red fruits and a tinge of a minty note. On the palate there is strawberry jammyness, earthyness and dried fruits. On the finish we notice some gently melting tannins in its short finish.

Drinking well now.


Barton and Guestier Tourmaline Rosé Wine

March 10, 2019

Barton and Guestier has launched it new Côtes de Provence Rosé wine.

The Tourmaline is a blend of 50% Grenache, 30% Cinsault and 20% Syrah. This wine replaces the Passeport Côtes de Provence.

The Barton and Guestier wine making site for this wine is in Vidauban which is near St. Tropez. This is a rose wine that offers lots of ripe red berry fruits with an island refreshing finish.

They have also made the wine bottle to be a stand out. The bottle is not sealed with a cork nor a screw top. The enclosure is a glass top.

Barton and Guestier Tourmaline Rose wine

Tre Bicchieri Amarone

March 3, 2019

Tre Bicchieri Amarone from Pietro Zardini got my attention at the 2019 Tre Bicchieri tasting.

My Favorite Tre Bicchieri Amarone wine is the 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Leone Zardini Riserva . This is an Amarone Riserva that is so enjoyable today.

You can produce a Chardonnay in the United States or France but you can only make an Amarone della Valpolicella in Italy.

2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Leone Zardini Riserva

The grapes in this 2011 Amarone della Valpolicella Leone Zardini Riserva are 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara grapes.

The wine is rich on the nose with dried cherries and spices. At 16% alcohol, the wine on the palate is full bodied. There are ripe dried cherries with cocoa and raisin notes. It all comes together so beautifully.

Before we are able to enjoy this Tre Bicchieri bottle of wine, the grapes first goes through four months of natural drying. Then the wine is aged in clay pots and barrels for four years.

Tre Bicchieri Amarone for sure.

Tre Bicchieri Amarone Riserva Pietro Zardini
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