International Wine Club - November 2012
Learn the finer points to many of our Wine of the Month Club. Our club wines are expertly researched and selected for quality, value and uniqueness and every one has an interesting history. Here are some of the wines we are offering this month:
Quinta del Rosa - Portugal
2008 Vale da Clara Red Douro DOC
The Bergqvist family have been in the wine business since 1815 when they started making port. Starting in the early 1990's, the family again became a pioneer by taking red wine production in the Douro region seriously. The result was many awards and accolades along with being supplied to many prestigious restaurants and wine stores around the world. For the last five years, the Bergqvist family has also been making their Vale da Clara wine by buying carefully selected grapes from nearby properties. The wine is distinctly different as it is designed and produced to appeal to the American palate (less oak with more fruit). The 2008 Vale da Clara is made from traditional Portuguese grapes of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz. The wine carries a deep red color. This wine smells sweet and fresh. It has aromas ripe red fruits, with a jammy and spicy character. On the palate it is soft and rich, with a well-balanced smooth tannic structure. The finish is nice and elegant. This wine is ready for drinking. It should be served at room temperature and is ideal with meat, poultry and pasta dishes.
Tenuta Ca'Bolani - Italy
2009 Refosco Friuli DOC Aquileia
The Ca’ Bolani estate is at Cervignano del Friuli within the district of Aquileia, whose wines were already held in high esteem at the Imperial court during Roman times. Their characteristically intense personality stems from the area’s strong sunlight, from the proximity of the sea, from the zone’s soils and from its exclusive microclimate. Its history dates back to the 16th century, during the Serenissima, when it was the property of the noble Bolani family, whose major exponent was Count Domenico, Procurator of the Venetian Republic in Friuli. As the area is only a short distance from the coast, breezes blowing in from the nearby sea mitigate the continental climate. The average temperatures and the heat index are the same as those found in Europe’s most famous viticultural zones: the area of Aquileia comes within the so-called Alpha climatic zone, which also includes the Maremma and Bordeaux. The clayish soil veined with gravel is alluvial in origin and allows for good natural drainage. Moreover, the stones present in the surface of the soil encourage better ripening of the grapes thanks to their reflection of sunlight and their ability to retain heat. This 2009 offering is made from 100% estate grown Refosco. After fermentation, the wine was aged for six months in oak casks prior to bottling. The finished wines pours a dark ruby red color in the glass. It offers pleasing aromas of red berries, blackberries and plums along with subtle notes of violets and spices. In the mouth this structured yet juicy wine delivers waves of black fruits along with gentle tannins and a pleasing crispness. Drink now through 2015. It will pair well with stewed and broiled meats and mature cheese.
Scoprire - Italy
2011 Trebbiano Del Rubicone IGT
Trebbiano is a white grape which originated in Italy but has successfully migrated to other European wine regions such as Bulgaria, Portugal and particularly France: known as Ugni Blanc. There are also New World plantings in Argentina and Australia, where it was most likely introduced by Italian migrants. Despite being the most widely used white wine grape variety in the world's two most famous and prolific wine-producing nations (France and Italy), Trebbiano remains relatively unknown to most wine consumers. This is because in France it is used primarily for brandy production, and in Italy as a blending component rarely cited on labels. Scoprire is one of the few wineries producing a Trebbiano labeled wine and it does so in a way to showcase all of its luster. This 2011 vintage is made from 100% Trebbiano from vineyards near the Adriatic coast then fermented in stainless steel. Straw yellow in color this is vibrant quaffing wine with clean aromas reminiscent of the sea including green apple and flowers. It is crisp and fruity on the palate with flavors of grapefruit and a hint of herbs. Serve chilled as an aperitif or with lighter fare such as shell fish, grilled fish, sautéed chicken, fettuccine Alfredo, or salads. Drink now through 2014.
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