We turned our back to cook the turkey and a slew of Italian wines slipped in the door. Good thing they fit nicely into holiday parties and dinners.
Contrdi Castaldi, Franciacorta Brut $20
80% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Nero, 10% Pinot Bianco
A fresh, creamy sparkling with attractive aromas of dried apple, lemon zest, honey and candied walnuts. Sharp acidity, balanced by a creamy mousse with lovely almond character on the finish.
Cantina di Sorbara, Lambrusco Salamino $13
Made from Salamino grapes (yes little salamis). Beautiful freshness here with freshly soaked blueberries, elderberries, spearmint and rosemary. Dry, balanced and medium-bodied, drawing on a fine thread of bubbles and precise, cutting acidity.
2016 Lunelli, Pietragrande Trentino Bianco $13
85% Chardonnay, 15% Sauvignon Blanc
From Northern Italy, aromas of white flowers, apples and pears and hints of aromatic herbs. It is lively, refreshing and tangy; mouth-filling, rounded fruit on the front palate gives way to appealing citrus-like notes and mineral hints on the finish.
Was $18 Now $13
2019 Cantina Colterenzio, Alto Adige Gewürztraminer $19
Enticing aroma of tropical fruit, cloves and cinnamon. It only takes one sniff to know this is not only going to be good but also offer a lot of different layers. The wine tastes thick, luscious and complex. It’s somewhat sweet but carries it remarkably well thanks to plenty of acidity. Citrus and tropical fruit, baking spice, minerality and more await as you sip. It ends dry, with lingering spice and tart fruit.
2017 La Spinetta, Il Nero di Casanova $18
100% Sangiovese
Aromas of wild cherry, black currant and sweet plum. On the palate, this wine offers silky tannins and a fruity chewy finish as well as lots of cherry with elegant richness. A funky and intense wine.
2016 Campo a Matteo, Chianti Reserva $15
80% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, 10% Ciliegiolo
A Reserva at normalie pricing. Savory, full-bodied, black cherries and berries. The supple mouth feel and focused taste of cherry flavors make our Chianti a pleasant and traditional Tuscan wine
2018 San Felice, Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva $20
Sangiovese
This Reserva represents the perfect blend of the traditional and the modern. It spends some 24 months in oak, with about 20% in small barriques, and one year in the bottle. Black cherries with summer black truffles and dark wood on the nose. A medium-to full-bodied red with medium, round tannins and lovely fruit. It firm and flavorful.
2018 Cesari, Jústo $14
60% Corvina, 40% Merlot
This wine is an appassimento style wine – the grapes are dried for a short period of time – about 20 days. Notes of ripe fruit and cherry are evident. A bold structure, yet with a smooth and velvety mouthfeel.
2018 Ronchi di Pietro L’Ánime de Nestre Tiare $20
Schioppettino
A rescued indigenous varietal from Friuli. Wild berry bouquet, including wild blackberry, raspberry and blueberry. Round and warm taste, full-bodied and with elegant tannicity.