August Featured Wines – Zeni Soave Doc Classico Vigne Alte & Bricco al Sole Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Italy

August 17, 2024 · by ·

When selecting wines to featured for our wine club, I look back to see where the wine club has “traveled” and what wines have sold after being introduced. Italian and French wines seem to be more frequently purchased. Most recently Castellani Chianti and Vermintino have been good sellers. This made me think about wines that are characteristic of the 20 regions in Italy. I have chosen a Soave from Veneto in north-east Italy bordering the Adriactic Sea and a Montepulciano D’Abruzzo from Abruzzo in east-central Italy.

2023 Zeni Soave Doc Classico Vigne Alte, Italy $15

This Soave reveals beautiful notes of elderberry , chamomile , green apple ,pear , small plums , chalk , lemon and white peach . The palate is elegant, fresh and delicious at the same time with a finish of beautiful bitterness. Enjoy with fish, risottos and caesar salad. Alcohol: 12.3%

2022 Bricco al Sole Montepulciano D’Abruzzo ,Italy $12

This Montepulciano’Abruzzo has an Intense aroma of dry fruits and flowers. Dry and savory with soft tannins & notes of dark cherry and red berry fruit. Pair with roasted and braised red meats, with poultry and savory dishes. Certified Organic. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,

May Featured Wines – Castellani Vermentino & Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy

May 7, 2024 · by ·

We are back to Italian wines in May. The Castellani Family has a history of winemaking for over 150 years. They continue to perfect the varietals that flourish in Tuscany. The Castellani Vermentino vineyards are close to the Mediterrean Coast where the grape is perfectly acclimated to the sea breezes and sunlight. 2022 Castellani Vermentino is our selection. There are few white grapes that do well in this part of Tuscany. The red is 2017 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva from the Chianti region of inland Tuscany. To be considered a Chianti, wines produced in this region have to meet certain conditions which are mandated by law. All Chiantis must have at least 70% Sangiovese. To be a Chianti Classico the wine must have 80% Sangiovese. Reserva means it has been aged for 24 months.

2022 Castellani Vermentino, Tuscany, Italy $16

In color this wine is straw yellow with light golden hues. The bouquet is complex with floral notes, white flowers, with stone and Mediterranean spices, sage, rosemary and mint. It is a full bodied and well-balanced wine. An easy white to pair with seafood and poultry. Alcohol: 12.5%

2017 Castellani Chianti Classico Reserva, Italy $16

This is a clear, medium ruby wine. There are notes of tart red cherry, raspberry, and red currant along with savory dried thyme, and earth. There are also notes of baking spices, and perhaps some cedar.This is a good wine with medium complexity of aromas and flavors.Of course, perfect of Italian food. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: , , ,

September Featured Wines – Cantine San Marzano, Edda Lei Salento Bianco & Terrilogio, Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

September 1, 2022 · by ·

We are moving into fall but September is still a month for entertaining and grilled meals. Our selected wines come from Puglia, also known as Apulia, a region called “the boot” of Southern Italy. This region produces 40% of Italy’s olive oil but some of the best values in Italian wine come from this sunny, dry region. Most Puglia wine is red, full-bodied and pairs well with a wide variety of foods but there are several indigenous white grapes grown in the region. Both wines meet the IGT (“Indicazione Geografica Tipica standard”) for production consistency for their appellation.

The white wine is Cantine San Marzano, Edda Lei Salento IGT Bianco (2020.) This wine is mainly Chardonnay with white native grapes, Moscatel, and Fiano. It comes from Salento. The red selection is Terrilogio, Primitivo, Puglia IGT (2021.) Primitivo is the same grape as California Zinfandel.

Cantine San Marzano, Edda Lei Salento Bianco, Puglia, Italy (2020) $18

This wine is mainly made from Chardonnay grapes with some Moscatel and Fiano added. It is an intense yellow straw color. There is a scent of peach, citrus and vanilla on the nose. In the mouth it is soft, warm, elegant, with a savory and toasted finish. The wine is suitable for accompanying fish starters and first courses, as well as fresh soft cheeses. Alcohol: 13.5.%

Terrilogio, Primitivo, Puglia, Italy (2021) $11

This Primitivo is deep ruby red. It is full-bodied with warm tannins. Bold flavors hint of tar, licorice and red berries. There is a delicious fruity finish typical of Zinfandels. The body and warmth compliment hot and spicy food. This wine may be enjoyed young but further aging in the bottle will enhance the wine’s richness. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , ,

Featured Wines for February

February 1, 2020 · by ·

2018 Santa Barbara, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy$14

Santa Barbara, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi perfectly captures the essence of the green, rolling hills of Italy’s Le Marche region, along the Adriatic coast directly east of Tuscany. The Verdicchio varietal itself has a little greenness, in both color and flavor as does this by Santa Barbara. It is aromatic, fleshy, dry, and savory. With aromas of apple and fresh flowers. it has chameleon-like qualities. Enjoy it year-round, day and night, without thinking too hard about food pairings.  Alcohol: 13%

2017 Azienda Agricola Evio Tintero, Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont, ltaly $14   

Azienda Agricola Evio Tintero, Langhe Nebbiolo is from Piedmont which sits on the borders of France and Spain at the foot of the Alps. In this vintage Langhe offers an impeccable balance of freshness, tannin, and mineral grit. This wine possesses the aromatics of the Nebbiolo grape used for of an aged Barolo but from young Nebbiolo fruit this wine is surprisingly dense with a savory, juicy mouthfeel and long finish. A great steak wine! Alcohol: 14%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

September Featured Wines – Cantina Del Taburno, 2017 Greco & 2015 Fidelis, Campania, Italy

September 1, 2019 · by ·

2017 Cantina del Taburno, Greco $16

This is a very concentrated wine. The aroma is complex, with dry apricot, citrus peel and honey notes. It is elegant with fruity, dry apricot, citrus peel and honey tones.This is full, fruity, warm, fresh and quite supple. This is a great pairing for risotto, pastas with cream sauces, chicken and salmon. Alcohol: 13%

2015 Cantina del Taburno, Sannio Aglianico Fidelis $15

Fidelis is 95% Sangiovese and 5% Merlot. It is a savory deep red with ruby reflections. It has an intense aroma with red fruit, tobacco and black pepper notes. In the mouth it is supple with well blended tannins that finishes with spicy notes. This pairs well with traditional Italian dishes with red sauce. Alcohol: 13.5%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , ,

January Featured Wines – 2017 Livon, Collio Pinot Grigio Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy & 2017 Piazzo, Piemonte Barbera Piedmont, Italy

January 1, 2019 · by ·

Livon, Collio Pinot Grigio 2017 ($16) from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy is straw yellow colored with slight ash grey reflections. It has a fragrant bouquet, recalling vanilla and lime flowers. On the palate it is strong with a long finish. This well-balanced wine is an enjoyable Pinot Grigio perfect for all seafood and rich creamy preparations. Alcohol: 12%

Piazzo, Piemonte Barbera 2017 ($12) from Piedmont, Italy is an intense, ruby red with garnet reflections. The nose blends with a combination of roses, jam, blackberries, and a touch of oak. On the palate it is well-rounded with red and dark fruits and a jammy cinnamon note and firm tannins. Serve with savory, hearty dishes. Alcohol: 14%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,

August Featured Wines – 2017 Donnafugata Lighea & 2017 Donnafugata Nero d’Avola, Sicily

August 1, 2018 · by ·

2017 Donnafugata Lighea, Sicily    $18

 

Zibibbo is a varietal also called Muscat of Alexandria which is originally from North Africa and was spread around the Mediterranean basin. With intense cultivation in the territories conquered by the Arabs it became as a table grape.This wine has a brilliant straw yellow color with greenish reflections. The nose offers a rich and fragrant bouquet with classic notes of orange blossom combined with citrus scents and nuances of Mediterranean pine. The nose is perfectly reflected on the palate, enlivened by a fresh mineral vein. Donnafugata suggests serving this with all types of oily fish, baked pasta in white sauce, fried fish. This is also a great summer aperitif. Alcohol: 12.5%

 

2017 Donnafugata Sherazade, Nero d’Avola, Sicily,   $19

This classic Sicilian wine  has a brilliant ruby red color with violet reflections. The nose offers a pleasantly fruity bouquet with fragrant notes of red plum and cherry, combined with light spicy scents. The palate is fleshy and perfectly reflects the bouquet revealing an extraordinary freshness. The well-integrated tannin, completes this fragrant and pleasant wine. The producer suggests serving it with fish soup, pizza or classic tomato spaghetti. This is a red you don’t expect, which is ideal as an aperitif. Alcohol: 13 %

 

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,

January Featured Wines – 2017 Livon, Collio Pinot Grigio Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy & 2017 Piazzo, Piemonte Barbera Piedmont, Italy

January 1, 2018 · by ·

Livon, Collio Pinot Grigio 2017 from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy is straw yellow colored with slight ash grey reflections. It has a fragrant bouquet, recalling vanilla and lime flowers. On the palate it is strong with a long finish. This well-balanced wine is an enjoyable Pinot Grigio perfect for all seafood and rich creamy preparations. Alcohol: 12%

Piazzo, Piemonte Barbera 2017 from Piedmont, Italy is an intense, ruby red with garnet reflections. The nose blends with a combination of roses, jam, blackberries, and a touch of oak. On the palate it is well-rounded with red and dark fruits and a jammy cinnamon note and firm tannins. Serve with savory, hearty dishes. Alcohol: 14%

Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged: , ,

December Featured Wines – 2016 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy & 2016 Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo, Abbruzzo, Italy

December 1, 2017 · by ·

2016 Sartarelli Verdicchio Classico dei Castelli di Jesi, Marche, Italy $15

This Verdicchio is light sunshine in a glass. It is a succulent wine with beautifully balance minerality and notes of citrus and mint. As typical with Verdicchio grapes there is a satisfying bitter almond finish. This wine is a perfect pairing for antipasti and creamy seafood pasta. Alcohol: 13%

 

2016 Valle Reale Montepulciano D’Abbruzzo, Abbruzzo, Italy  $14

This Montepulciano wine is bright ruby-red in color. This youthful red offers explosive aromas of blueberries, cherries, licorice, and sweet spices. On the palate, it is medium-bodied with plentiful acidity and a pleasant finish. This wine can be served before a meal, but it pairs well with meatballs, tomato sauces, eggplant parmigiana, and mushroom risotto. Alcohol: 13%

Filed Under: Wine · Tagged: , , , , ,

November Featured Artists – Lois & Kathryn Engberg

November 1, 2017 · by ·

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of our patrons will remember the first time we showed Katie Engberg along with her mother, Lois, and her grandmother, Barbara Beauchamp in 2013. Katie was then in her second year at Grand Central Academy in New York. Since graduating in 2016 she is now an instructor at this renown atelier school continuing to teach the classical traditions she learned under her mentor, Jacob Collins. In November Katie and Lois will be featured once again. This fall they returned from a stay in Lucca, Italy where Katie taught two drawing workshops and Lois enjoyed painting the beauty of the area.

This show will reinforce the influence art has on both mother and daughter. Katie will show her development as a talented figure artist and Lois will offer images from her stay in Italy along with her classic still life paintings.

Filed Under: Art · Tagged: , , , , ,
« Older Posts