3 cases or more – $9 / bottle

It is the dog days of Summer, but we have something to beat the heat. This Saturday will be pouring an intriguing line up of Italian wines that will tantalize the brain and sooth the spirit. These are no common pizza wines. We have a crisp Tocai, A horsey Tuscan blend, a monkish Schiava and a sparling Bonarda. Come and get refreshed.

2010 Sferracavallo, Pinot Grigio, Umbria $10
This Pinot Gris comes from hillside vineyards with chalky limestone and volcanic soil that surround Orvietto. The wine is crisp, fresh with a good spicy note.

2011 Bastianich Friulano Adriatico $18
100% (Tocai) Friulano
Friuli-Venezia Giulia lies in the far northeast corner of Italy. Bastianich’s vineyards there sit in two distinct zones. The original vineyard in Buttrio/Premariacco is influenced by the warmth of the sea and is famous for producing wines of great power. The second property, in Cividale del Friuli, is influenced by the bora, or north wind. With cooler nights, the wines are much more aromatic. Both areas share similar soil, ponca, the crumbly sandstone gives the wines their signature mineral backbone. The Adriatico is medium bodied with ripe, luscious pear flavors carried by a refreshing mineral flavor and zesty, mouthwatering acidity.

2010 San Felice Cantrada $10
50% Merlot, 40% Sangiovesse, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
This red wine was created for the Contrade of Siena to be served at their traditional banquets during the days of the Palio (a yearly horse race). Fresh, and fruity, the Contrada is a robust Tuscan food wine with scents of ripe cherries and violet, soft tannins and big bright fruit combined with a balanced acidity.

2010 Kalterersee Auslese ( Schiava) Alto Adige $17
Schiava (also known as Trollinger, Vernatsch or Kalterersee)
Novacella is an Augustinian monastery founded in 1147. Today the monks still make wine to support the monastery. This Northern alpine Italian red is light and fresh with aromas reminiscent of red summer fruits and cherry; succulent, gentle and fruity on the palate with soft, unobtrusive tannins, mild but refreshing acidity and a typical hint of almond on the finish.

2010 Castekki du Luzzano Bonarda Oltrepo Pavese Frizante $20
100% Croatina (Bonarda)
This Bonarda Frizzante is a sparkling red wine familiar in the north of Italy. The estate lies on a hill that borders the regions of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy. The wine possesses plenty of fruit, intense aromas of raspberry and a dry palate of great elegance. Fresh and unusual.

This Saturday we are heading to the other end of the earth and exploring the wines of South Africa. The warm climate blended with cool breezes off the ocean come together to make for great grape growing. Each region excels in different varietals and we’ve found some excellent examples to show that off. Take a break from the Seafair frenzy and come tour the Cape.

2011 Badenhorst, Secateurs Chenin Blanc, Swartland $14
Badenhorst is a family estate in Swartland growing old bush vines that are bio dynamically farmed. The Chenin is full-bodied yet discreet and inviting, with herbal, floral and citrus flavors.

2011 Southern Right, Sauvignon Blanc Walker Bay

The estate is located only 3 kilometres from the Atlantic Ocean and the cool breezes that come in off the ocean make this the coolest region for wine production in South Africa. The blanc has full aromas of lime and gooseberry and a touch of mineral along with flavors of lemon and pineapple.

2011 Boekenhoutskloof, Wolftrap Red, Franschoek $10

65% Syrah, 32% Mourvedre & 3% Viognier

The wine gets its name from the early settlers in the Franschhoek valley (where the Boekenhoutskloof winery is located) who built Wolftraps. The only problem is, there have never actually ever been any wolves in or around the region. The reds were fermented using selected Rhone strain yeasts. French oak matured with Viognier blended prior to bottling. Egg white fined. The wine has a spicy profile with ripe black fruit and violets with soft tannins, good density and a hint of oak.

2009 Spice Route, Chakalaka, Swartland $20

37% Syrah, 21% Mourvedre, 18% Carignan, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Grenache and 4% Tannat

Swartland’s deep red soils sustain these unirrigated bush vines through the long warm summers. The harsh condition is tempered by cool Atlantic breezes rolling in overnight. The wine has initial smoky cloves and savory notes that give way to a plum and black cherry nose with hints of sweet oak spice.

2010 Fairview, Pinotage Paarl $15

The Fairview Pinotage is sourced from a number of different vineyards in the coastal region of Paarl. It is a classic example of this uniquely South African varietal. The wine is big and earthy with smoky aromas and lots of dark ripe fruit.