This week, our team selected three fantastic wines from Central Italy. Check what our sommelier Daniel Marcella has to say about them:
1)Abbia Nova Cesanese del Piglio Senza Vandalismi
Grape: Cesanese
Cherry, raspberry, spiced damson, mint and cardamom on the nose. Next to no tannin, supple ripe untarnished raspberry and loganberry fruit, lemon and rose. Refreshing and pure, forward and vigorous.
The “Senza Vandalismi Cesanese” is made from bunches picked a little early with slightly marked acidity. The vines are anywhere between 16 and 81 years old, lying between 350m to 550m, and are planted mainly on clays mixed with silt and sand over limestone.
The vines are picked by hand, and the grapes are crushed and fermented spontaneously (using naturally occurring yeasts). They must remain on the skins for 8 days before being racked off into stainless steel tanks to complete both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations. This wine is bottled during the Spring after the vintage.
Great pairing with charcuterie boards, pasta or pizzas!
2) Crociani Rosso di Montepulciano
In the heart of central Italy, Tuscany is one of the most prestigious and celebrated wine-growing regions in the world. These gently rolling hills are not only home to Italy`s culture and language but also to the grand wine estates of Chianti to the north and the more modest yet superb estates of Montalcino and Montepulciano in the south.
Sangiovese is the red grape variety that unites Tuscany`s wine-producing districts in its various distinct clones. However, the planting of international grape varieties, such as Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, has given rise to the world-renowned “Super Tuscan” wines.
Bright ruby red in colour and fully flavoured, Rosso di Montepulciano displays rich flavours of cherry and red berries, a soft gamey character combined with subtle oak. Supple tannins and a firm structure lead to a long, full-flavoured finish.
This is an ideal wine to accompany red meat, rich pasta dishes, game and strong cheeses.
3) I Giusti e Zanza Nemorino
Hailing from Tuscany comes a smart, organically-farmed Syrah with a splash of Sangiovese. Recently, Tuscan wine laws were relaxed to allow a minimum share of 60% Sangiovese (down from 70%) in any blend.
Ripeness is the key that brings forth an easy harmony on the palate, highlighting sweet earthy black fruits, black cherry, bramble, and sage with a light savouriness to close. Generous, rounded and long-lasting, it’s sometimes hard to see where Sangiovese ends, and Syrah begins. Or vice versa. Both work so well together!
Pair this wine with lamb shoulder, lamb cutlets, and BBQ, but also great with semi-hard to hard cheeses.
Have you tasted any of these?
Which one is your favourite?
If you’re curious about these wines, make sure you come and check them out at our boutique in Drummoyne!
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