Featured Wines for May – 2011 Tamellini Soave, Veneto, Italy & 2010 G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmonte, Italy

2011 Tamellini Soave, Veneto, Italy             $17

Soave is the most famous white  “Demominazione Di Origine Contratollato” wine  in Italy. The DOC covers wines made from Garganega grapes grown on the hillsides east of Verona in the VEneto wine region. In 1998 Gaetano Tamellini felt his estate grown grapes were better than those being pooled together by the Soave Co-Op. He took the risk to join 20 other growers who have broken away and now bottle their own wines from their individual estates. Tamellini’s Soave is a great example of why he did this and has now succeeded. His wine is dry, fresh with a slight almond note at the end. The nose is fragrant, flowery and fruity. This is a great wine for warm weather entertaining and light meals on the patio. Great with mild-flavored fish and light pasta dishes. Around our area flounder and clams fit that bill. Alcohol: 12%

2010 G.D. Vajra Langhe Rosso, Piedmont, Italy      $14

Vajra Rosso is one of the gallery owner’s favorite reds. Customers who know this wine are pleased to find it on our shelves. This is a blend which for the wonderful 2010 harvest, Vajra used 80% Dolcetto, 15% Barbara and 5% blend of Freisa, Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir. This is  dark ruby in color.  The nose on this wine is earthy with red currants and black cherry. On the palate the cherry stands with black raspberry on first taste then the wine opens to be herbaceous. This is a wine that can be enjoyed when young yet it will hold for 5 years. The foods of the Piedmont region pair perfectly with this Rosso. Think about using this with antipasti, aged cheese and Italian salami or prosciutto. A great red meat or meat pasta wine. Alcohol: 13%