Saturday we’ll have open for tasting some great wines from Puglia, Sicily and Campania. Places known for their indigenous grapes unique to their specific locale. The emphasis is on the fruit, with such varietals as Falangina, Negroamaro, Nero d’ Avola, and Aglianico showing their stuff. Come see what they have to offer.

2009 Vinosia, Falanghina, Beneventano, Campania $12

100% Falangina — Vinosia is young winery, started in 2003, by Mario and Luciano Ercolino, whose family founded Feudi di San Gregorio where Mario was the head winemaker. Falanghina gets its name from the fact that due to its the vines are tied to poles called ‘falanga’ to contain its expansive growth. The Vinosia is a full-bodied white wine with lots of fruit notes of peach, pear and melon balanced by a fresh acidity. 

2007 Cantele, Salice Salento Reserva, Puglia $12

85% Negroamaro, 15% Malvasia Nera — Cantele is a third generation, family run winery in the Salento region of Puglia specializing in local varietals. The Salice Salento Reserva is aged for 3 years in a mix of stainless tanks and oak barrels then rests in bottle 6 months before release. The wine is full bodied with lots of deep fruit flavors and notes of spice and bitter chocolate with a smooth and luscious finish.

2009 Feudo di Santa Tresa, Purato, Nero d’Avola, Sicily (Organic) $13

100% Nero d’Avola — The Purato is made from organic vineyards in Vittoria in the south eastern region of Sicily. The family has been growing for generations and uses all natural organic methods such as cover crops, organic manure and natural herbicides, allowing them to completely eliminate the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. The bottles and labels are all from recycled material. The wine is rich with big berry and cherry flavors balanced out by dry tannins and good acidity.

2009 Terredora di Paolo, Aglianico, Campania $15

100% Aglianico — Terredora is an estate winery run by members of the Mastroberardino family with vineyards all over Campania. Their Aglianico is aged in a combination of barrels and stainless steel tanks, striking a balance between fruit and tannins. It is a bright dark cherry red with spicy aromas of violets, red berries, black cherry and a slight meaty character with subtle oak undertones.

2009 Clos des Brusquières, CNdP $40

85% Grenache, 9% Syrah, 6% Mourvèdre

With only eight hectares of vines (40 year old on average) this miniscule, ultra-traditional estate produces tiny quantities of just one wine: no luxury cuvee, no specialty blend, just a stunningly pure and complex Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Owner Claude Courtil is the godson of none other than Henri Bonneau, one of the most legendary and revered producers in the region, and he learned everything he knows about winemaking from his godfather. Henri and Claude share a deeply held commitment to natural winemaking: manual vineyard work, traditional aging in large foudres, and bottling without intrusive fining and filtration.

The 2009 is loaded with dark fruit and spice. It is drinking great right now and will age nicely.

2009 Planal VDP L’Aude , Cuvée Marsellan

From Corbières, in the South of France comes this unique and delicious wine made from Marselan, a highbred cross between Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine hits your palate with full dark fruit that melts into long dry leathery tannins. Don’t let the VDP fool you. There is a lot going on here. And, it is only $9.