Last Week's Tasting Notes

Inama Soave Classico ($15.99)
From the producer: 
"Light yellow colour. Elegant nose of sweet field flowers: camomile, elderflower, iris. Mineral on the palate with sweet almond on the finish.
RECOMMENDED COMBINATION: Risotto and white fish, raw fish, salads."

From me:
Soave is a style of dry white wine from Veneto in northeastern Italy. It is 100% Garganega, which the Romans introduced to the area, and which is closely related to Greca, a Sicilian grape. The wine is aromatic, with floral overtones, and though not as crisp as Pinot Grigio, it is much more delicate. Fermentation and aging take place in stainless steel, so there is no oakiness, but malolactic fermentation gives the wine an elegant smoothness. This is one of the lesser known Italian wines that I hope more people will discover.

Carpineto Dogajolo Rosato ($10.99)
From the producer:
"The name Dogajolo was invented by Carpineto’s founders, derived from the Italian word doga, meaning “stave” — the narrow strips of wood used to form oak casks. Carpineto Dogajolo Rosato shows vibrant floral aromas of rose and myrtle meet hints of fruit, like apples, currants, and sour cherries. Fermented on the lees in stainless steel, this is a refreshing wine with an invigorating acidity and a clean finish."

From me:
This wine is downright gorgeous. It is 100% Sangiovese, so it has a delicious fruitiness on the palate, but it is balanced with a slightly tart acidity. It pairs well spicy dishes, pizza, cheeses, cured meat, and grilled fish. It is very versatile, and it's a pleasure to sip on a warm day.

Villa Pozzi Nero D'Avola ($7.99)
From the producer:
"Seductively reveals aromas of blackberry liqueur, white flowers, vanilla and a hint of figs; opulent, full-bodied, with great intensity; delicious on its own or the perfect companion for steak, lamb and roasted meats."

From me:
I love Villa Pozzi wines. They offer good quality for a very low price, and they are delicious for everyday drinking. Nero D'Avola is indigenous to Italy, and more specifically to Sicily, where it is the best known of the red grapes. It produces a full-bodied wine with very little tannin. In style it reminds me of a Shiraz or a Malbec: bold and meaty, but smooth on the palate. This was the first Nero I ever tried, and it made me fall in love with the varietal.