Italia
The staff will occasionally joke that we carry too much Italian wine. But the thing about Italy is that it isn’t just one country, it’s twenty. Each region has its own cuisine, its own dialect, and its own wine. We currently have wine from sixteen of the twenty Italian regions from Val d’Aosta to Sardinia. Every wine represents its province perfectly. When customers approach us, revealing they prefer Italian wines because they’re ‘drier’ or ‘fuller bodied’ we do bristle. There is no way to generalize a country whose wines are so diverse in style, flavor, and place.
This week I’ve selected a few wines that I think best represent their region. You’ll notice a lot of new names along with some old favorites, but each one is the perfect ambassador of flavor. I dare you to try something new!
In celebration of one of our favorite countries, this week’s tasting at Wine Press Fenway will feature four Italian wines that we know you’ll love. So be sure to stop by this Thursday, March 31st at 5:30 p.m.
See you there!
Val d’Aosta
Grosjean Frères, Vallee d'Aoste Pinot Noir - $27.99
This wine is bright and clean but evokes so much umami on the palate. This is one of our new favorite Pinots. If you think you know Pinot Noir, you have so much to learn. Give it a swirl and see if you can sniff out the green onion.
Veneto
Tenuta Chevalier, Rocchetto - $34.99
The Veneto is known for Prosecco, but it is so much more. If you’re a fan of Amarone but need a bottle that’s a little easier on your wallet, this Corvina is for you. It is absolutely perfect. We don’t know what else to say. We love their Amarone and Valpolicella, but the Rochetto is something special. Blackberry preserves and a wisp of vanilla. This wine is just sexy.
Honorable mentions
Sassara, Coconar Orange Vini delle Morene - $27.99
Scaia, Rosato - $14.99
Friuli-Venezia_Giulia
Ronchi di Cialla, Ribolla Nera - $29.99
One of Colin’s favorites… There’s more to Friuli than Pinot Grigio. This wine is full of roasted tomatillo, funky red currant, and the perfect amount of grip. It’s a beautiful wine that deserves to be savored.
Tuscany
Paterna, Vignanova - $49.99
It’s difficult to choose something Tuscan and not land on Sangiovese. Perhaps because it surprised me do I think it’s so special. I don’t normally reach for full bodied, ripe wines that see extended time in oak. But there is something seriously seductive about this wine. It’s a lush, smooth expression of Sangiovese. Ditch your super-Tuscans and over-blown Napa Cabs for this chic, full-bodied wine full of plum preserves, tobacco, and vanilla.
Honorable mentions
Agricola I Forestieri, Girotondo Rosso - $31.99
Giovanna Madonia, "KA" Sangiovese - $14.99
Abruzzo
Q500, Passerina - $27.99
Other vintages have been juicy and fruit forward, but the new vintage of this Passerina is chic and textured. Plenty of acidity and savory goodness to stand up to your favorite cheeses. The staff is going to be drinking this one all summer long.
Lazio
Monastero Suore Cistercensi, Coenobium Bianco - $24.99
We have to thank the Cistercian nuns for this one. Under their watchful eyes they’ve created a wine that is clean, savory, and so refreshing. High acid, honeydew, and a little white mushroom on the finish has me thinking they should spend a little more time in the winery.
Puglia
GaraGino, Malvasia - $34.99
This Malvasia is stunning. It's a mouthful of sunshine, brimming with salinity, and quite rich considering how light the grape tends to be. If you haven’t jumped on the orange wine (aka skin-contact white) train, this is the one to start with. But I warn you, it may be difficult to move on to anything else.
Sicily
Gurrieri, Grillo - $23.99
Who else thought I was going Frappato? Think again. Grillo is one of those lesser known grapes that deserves all the attention it can get. If you typically reach for Chenin Blanc or Chardonnay, I highly recommend you get yourself a bottle of this Grillo and have your eyes opened. It’s gorgeous. Soft and floral on the nose, beautiful acidity on the palate. Round and silky with a long finish that is slightly picante. Too sophisticated for its own good.
Honorable mention
Lamoresca, Rosso - $37.99
Piedmont
Francesco Brigatti, Maria Vespolina - $22.99
When you think Piedmont, I’m sure you think Nebbiolo. While I would never shun my favorite grape, I certainly can’t keep my eyes closed to all that’s out there. Colline Novaresi has just as much to offer as the Langhe. This Vespolina is bright, tense, and dry. This wine is beautifully floral with a little cherry pie in the background. An absolute slam dunk.
Honorable mentions
Iuli, Umberta Barbera - $21.99
Nervi, Gattinara - $64.99
Trentino-Alto-Adige
Glassier, Gewürztraminer - $29.99
While Gewürztraminer can be tough to get right, a really good one is unlike anything else. From Glassier we get beautiful Gewürztraminer full of honeysuckle.This wine is clean, smooth, and intense. Too many Gewürztraminers struggle to find balance. They overwhelm you with aroma and disappoint you upon sipping. Not this one. Its acidity and flavor exist in perfect harmony and its long, dry finish only make you want more.
One of Aaron’s favorites
Marchese Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, Vette Sauvignon Blanc - $26.99
Emilia Romagna
Cantina Della Volta, Trentasei - $31.99
If you think you need to buy Champagne to enjoy decent sparkling wine, you are sorely mistaken. And this isn’t your inky Lambrusco meant for pizza. This is gorgeous Lambrusco rosé and the driest of the dry bubbles. Strawberries and sandcastles all day long. As far as we’re concerned, Cantina della Volta can do no wrong.
Honorable mentions
La Tollara, Ortrugo Frizzante - $15.99
La Sabbiona, Albana - $19.99
Marche
Anno Uno, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico - $19.99
If you haven’t tried this Verdicchio yet, I’m not sure you can call yourself a real fan of the Wine Press. We have converted so many lovers of Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc into devotees of Verdicchio. And no wonder… White nectarine, raw almonds, fleur de sel. This Verdicchio is silky, fresh, and full of acidity.
Umbria
Leonardo Bussoletti, Colle Ozio Grechetto - $19.99
Who else thought they knew what they were going to see in this category? While I would never abandon our beloved Freghino, this Grechetto is worth talking about. With an earthy, mushroomy nose it’s ready to stand up to your pasta and all the Parmigiano you can grate. It has an incredibly soft, sandstony dry finish this I just can’t get over. It is savory, mineral driven, and way too good.
Honorable mention
Conestabile della Staffa, LiquidO' - $23.99
Campania
Cantine Rao, Silva Rubra - $24.99
This wine is perfectly balanced. Fresh but meaty, and sticky on your palate. Notes of vanilla bean and blackberry don't hurt either. A killer blend of Aglianico, Casavecchia, and Pallagrello Nero that you won’t see anywhere else. Except maybe at my house…
Honorable mentions
Vigne Guadagno, Contrada Sant'Aniello, Fiano di Avellino - $35.99
Casa di Baal, Marialonga - $24.99
Calabria
Creta Paglia, Sciccu - $24.99
Is it summer yet? This is quite possibly one of our favorite orange wines. Sticky, sparky, and full of dried sage and apricots. Tangy and totally refreshing. And keep an eye out for her funkier sibling, the Folk.
Sardinia
Cantina, Lilliu, Dicciosu - $34.99
I daresay Grenache might give Nebbiolo a run for his money this year. This bold expression of Cannonau reminds me why I love wine. When acidity, texture, fruit, and warmth coalesce, the result is a wine with the ability to change your mood. Try a bottle and see if you don't agree.
Honorable mention
Cardedu, Astili Rosso - $23.99
