This Week’s Wine Tasting
Italian Wines
Regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Campania and Sicily
Importers include Rosenthal Wine Merchant, Indigenous Selections, and Regal Wine Imports
From Indigenous Selections website regarding the Indigenous Private Label wines– “The concept is simple, real wines made from some of Italy’s most interesting and extraordinary local grape varieties. Faithful to the philosophy, we embrace for all our wines, quality over quantity, always and without exceptions. The wines are personally selected by Giorgio Rivetti and the producers are small, family-owned vineyards with an expression of genuine character and terroir. This combination ensures that the wines convey their own identity and sense of place, using the same principles in the vineyards and cellars as all Indigenous Selections’ producers do: no chemicals, no herbicides, no pesticides.
The variety of options range from crisp, sparkling Prosecco to rich, peppery Nero d’Avola. The wines are an ideal choice for an aperitivo or happy hour as well as an accompaniment to any meal. The label design reflects the philosophy behind the wines; without the use of herbicides, the dandelion is the first flower that blooms in the vineyard.”
Indigenous Selections Langhe Bianco 2013– Piedmont, Italy. A blend of 80% Arneis and 20% Favorita. “Color: Light straw yellow. Bouquet: Green apples, apricots, peaches and jasmine that flow from the glass with notable purity and personality. Taste: Excellent peach/apricot scents accompanied by a touch of minerality, fresh, light to medium-bodied, and deliciously fruity.” Imported by Indigenous Selections. $15.99
From Rosenthal’s website– “The DeForville family emigrated to Piedmont from Belgium in 1848 and established themselves in the village of Barbaresco in 1860. Here, the family was instantly engaged in growing the Nebbiolo grape under the direction of Gioachino De Forville. He was succeeded by his son, Vincenzo, followed by Vincenzo’s nephew, Paolo and, then, the fourth generation is represented by Paolo’s daughter, Mafalda and her husband, Bruno Anfosso. Now, the fifth generation is in place: Valter and Paolo Anfosso, the two sons of Bruno and Mafalda. We are particularly proud to note that, along with the Ferrando family in the northern reaches of Piedmont, we have worked with the Anfosso-De Forville family since the very first moment of our engagement as importers of wine for the USA. Our first vintage together was 1978 and we have worked together every vintage since that time.”
DeForville Chardonnay 2013– Piedmont, Italy. “Also from the Ca del Buc vineyard site in Castagnole Lanze, the Chardonnay vines are now 30 years of age (as of 2011) having been planted in place of an old vineyard of Grignolino in the early 1980s. Vinified and aged exclusively in stainless steel, the Piemonte Chardonnay is brisk and clean but rather full-bodied as it naturally achieves 13% alcohol annually. The wine is bottled in the spring of the year following harvest then given several months of bottle age before being shipped to the USA. We import between 7200 and 9000 bottles per annum for the US market.” Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant. $16.99
From Rosenthal’s website– “Luigi Ferrando has long been the leading producer of wines from the Canavese region where his family’s winemaking tradition goes back to 1900. Like many of our producers, he has strong ties to his local region. His attachment and commitment run deep, and have led him to collaborate with other wine growers and academics. Together, they are responsible for discovering and preserving local grape varieties and traditions that might otherwise have been lost. Luigi’s sons, Roberto and Andrea, now work with him on the estate (Roberto) and in the family’s vinoteca (Andrea) located in the heart of the city of Ivrea, the commercial hub of the Canavese region. Thus, the continuation of the Ferrando tradition has been enabled.”
Luigi Ferrando Canavese Rosso “La Torrazza” 2012– Piedmont, Italy. “Produced predominantly from Nebbiolo with roughly 30% Barbera and a touch of a local variety known as “Neretta” (the “little black”), this lovely red wine, vinified in stainless steel and bottled 12 to 15 months after harvest, is full of wild berries (notably strawberry and raspberry), spice and a touch of warm earthiness. The tannins are delicate and fine which enables this wine to be consumed with pleasure in its youth. As always with Nebbiolo-based wines, harvest occurs usually in the early to mid-parts of October. Approximately 8000 bottles of this wine are produced annually and a major portion of the production is shipped under our care for sale in the US market.” Imported by Rosenthal Wine Merchant. $20.99
From Indigenous Selections website– “With our expertise and substantial presence in Piedmont and Tuscany our portfolio includes a thoughtful selection of the very best wineries from these regions, as well as from Campania, Sicily and Elba. Our portfolio currently includes: La Spinetta and Casanova della Spinetta, Contratto, BiancaVigna, Alice Bonaccorsi, Rocca del Principe, Malvirà, E. Pira by Chiara Boschis, Cocito, La Colombera and Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona.
These producers are true specialists and leaders of Italian winemaking in their respective regions. They share the INDIGENOUS passion for quality, character and authenticity. Through the practice of traditional farming and harvesting methods the wines produced exemplify the uniqueness of each grape variety. The portfolio is completed by a selection of indigenous private label wines. Each wine was hand selected by Giorgio Rivetti and offers an interesting, authentic Italian wine experience.”
La Spinetta– “Giorgio Rivetti’s magic touch with Moscato, Barbera, Nebbiolo and, more recently, Sangiovese, Colorino, Vermentino and Sangiovese Rose has taken the wine world by storm. He produces approachable yet age-worthy wines that command the attention of wine critics and consumers alike, year-in and year-out; their lushness, concentration, aromatics and length are unrivaled. Rivetti’s speedy ascent, from Moscato producer in the 1970’s, to venerated Barbaresco and Barolo vigneron today, is studded with success. The genius of La Spinetta encompasses a vast array of great wines, all boasting Giorgio Rivetti’s inimitably approachable and voluptuous style.”
La Spinetta Casanova Della Spinetta Il Nero di Casanova IGT 2010– Tuscany, Italy. 100% Sangiovese. “Intense ruby red. Bouquet: Super ripe aromas of black fruits, violet and mint. Taste: Densely rich, this magnificently structured Sangiovese is rounded with good grip and fine finish. It impressively offers fantastic value for money.” Imported by Indigenous Selections. $20.99
Poggionotte– “Following in the footsteps of our Great Grandfather Cristoforo Ciaccio who planted the first vineyards in 1860 and aged his wines in the cellar of the old farmhouse Fiuminello, the Di Giovanna family has continued to cultivate its vineyards with unwavering dedication and pride for generations.
In 1985, Aurelio Di Giovanna and his wife Barbara, initiated in-depth study of their mico-climates and soils. Following careful cloning and testing they identified the vines best suited for each vineyard. Each property was delineated into 5 unique vineyard sites: Miccina, Gerbino, and Paradiso at 350-480m above sea level in the village of Contessa Entellina (PA). The Fiuminello and San Giacomo vineyards flourish at 700-830m above sea level in the mountains surrounding the town of Sambuca di Sicilia (AG).
The Di Giovanna family is committed to organic practices in their vineyards and winery, preserving their land and history. All of their products are certified organic through Suolo e Salute SRL. Since 1997.”
Poggionotte Nero d’Avola 2012– Sicilia, Italy. 100% Nero d’Avola. Organic practices. Vineyard altitude: 450 meters. Yield: 50 hl/ha. A super Nero di Avola from the higher altitude vineyards above Sambuca di Sicilia. In this central Sicilian location at the Di Giovanna estate, ideal ripening conditions for Nero d’Avola are guaranteed by the high elevation of over 2000 feet. Cool, nighttime temperatures render unique levels of freshness paired with great maturity of the grape clusters, grown according to organic standards. Manual harvest. Stainless steel fermentation via selected yeast. Aged 3 months in stainless steel, 5 months in barrique and 6 months in bottle prior to release.” Imported by Regal Wine Imports. $15.99
Poderi Foglia– “The northern tip of the Campania is the extreme rural ‘Terre di Lavoro’ region. Considered a fortunate location, this fertile and sunny land is generous and offers a plentiful harvest. Around the village of Conca the Galluccio DOC is developing, bringing back to life some of the best vineyards known to the Romans. Here the owners of Vestini Campagano have decided to make a home to their research into campania varieties and identified the Galluccio as the most precious among all Campania winegrowing regions.
This recently acquired land has been replanted to 4 Campania varieties by the Barletta family, equipped by a very functional modern cellar and staffed with a young enthusiastic team under the guidance of Luigi and Amadeo Barletta.”
Poderi Foglia Aglianico 2013– Campania, Italy. “Varietal composition: 100% Aglianico. Appellation: IGT Roccamonfina. Production Area: Conca della Campania. Vineyard: Poderi Foglia. Vineyard practices: Organic. Plot characteristics: Volcanic soil, 200 meters, south facing. Fermenters: Temperature controlled stainless steel. Malolactic Fermentation:100% in stainless steel. Aging: 3 months second use barrique, 3 months bottle. Total Production: 340 cases. DESCRIPTION: A fresher styled, beautifully perfumed Aglianico from young vines in the Roccamonfina appellation in the northern Caserta province. TASTING NOTES: Hints of perfumed lilac and crushed red berries on the nose, with fruit forward tannins that reveal the smoky lava soils of the Roccamonfina appellation on the back palate.” $16.99