Wine of the Weel-Tenuta Castigliioni Chianti 2018-$23.99 -An inspired merging of art and wine

 Wine of the Week-Tenuta Castiglioni Chianti 2018-$23.99 an inspired merging of art and wine

By Dwight Casimere

The statue of Dante at Plaza Erbe in Verona, Italy-photo by Dwight Casimere

Dwight Casimere with Lamberto Frescobaldi-President Frescobaldi Vineyards

Tenuta Castiglioni Chianti 2018

Florence is the center of art and culture in Italy. It is also the heart of its most treasured wine region, Tuscany. As such, two names stand out. The great author, Dante Alighieri, known to all as simply Dante, and Frescobaldi, the proud wine family that has been producing great wine for more than seven centuries. 

When Dante wrote his epic poem Divine Comedy in 1300, which opens with its eerily prescient first chapter, Inferno, the Frescobaldi’s had already been producing wine at its first estate, Tenuta Castiglioni.

Immersed in Tuscany’s Chianti Colli Fiorentini zone, near Florence, the ancient estate, Tenuta Castiglioni, produces a wine of great charm and finesse.

With its intense color, rich fruit flavors and superb structure, it is a marvel that Tenuta Castiglioni Chianti sells for a mere $24.

Combined strengths of indigenous Sangiovese, the King of Italian grapes, and the international varietal Merlot, Tenuta Castiglioni presents a wine that has strength of character combined with an elegance of execution.

With the approach of an all-Italian National Day, Dantedi (the Day of Dante) on Friday, March 25th, a day dedicated to all things Dante Alighieri, Frescobaldi’s Tenuta Castiglioni is the perfect wine, to honor the legacy of Dante and his beloved Tuscany. For those unable to make the trip to its sunny hillsides, they need only lift a glass of Tenuta Castiglioni Chianti 2018 to celebrate.

Grown in clay and limestone soil on the slopes of Val di Pesa on old vines, the wine benefits from the richness of the weather and soil. Gentle breezes from the Tyrrhenian Sea and the richness of the soil create a symbiosis that is exultant.

With its ruby red color and vibrant nose of fresh cut violets, Tenuta Castiglioni Chianti 2018 is flavorful, yet restrained. It opens with aromas of ripe red cherries and wild berries and transitions gracefully into spicy notes that tingle the palate. Careful aging in oak barrels caresses the heady blend notes of shaved cinnamon, nutmeg and clove, with hints of licorice and sage. Aged in oak barrels for a full year before resting in the bottle for two months, this is an exquisite wine, intended to partner with your very best meal.

I paired it with a Prime New York Strip that I had aged myself, then marinated overnight with Pink Himalayan Salt, crushed Rainbow Peppercorns and Fresh Oregano before slathering it with Extra Virgin Olive Oil. 

Slow Roasting over low-burning coals to just the plus side of rare and then served with a blanket of caramelized onions and wild mushrooms and a side of Brussels Sprouts crisped in dark Modena Balsamic, it was meal that would have changed Dante’s focus from Down Under to Paradise!

Years Best California Chardonnay is Gary Farrell 2018 Russian River Selection Chardonnay-$35

Gary Farrell winemaker Theresa Heredia samples new wine from the barrel

 

Wine of the Week-Dry Creek 2019 Fume Blanc-$18.99

 

Dry Creek Founder David Stare

David Stare in 1972

Wine of the Week: White Cliff Pinot Noir-2019-$20 The perfect wine for Fall

Wine of the Week: White Cliff Pinot Noir 2019-$20

Marlborough New Zealand

By Dwight Casimere 

Fall is here. Time for colorful squashes, pumpkin and the ubiquitous pumpkin pie and myriad recipes made from this versatile squash. It’s also time to break out your Grandmother and Mother’s recipes for filling casseroles, hearty stews and sumptuous soups. We’ve got Turkey to look forward to and all of the requisite savory side dishes. Lamb, including succulent lamb chops, luxurious Leg of Lamb and any number of lamb tagines and curries come to mind. For the more adventurous, there plenty of game meat to be had; duck, pheasant, venison and rabbit, and don’t forget Wild Mushrooms.

 

Pinot Noir is the choice of wine that automatically comes to mind. It has just that medium-bodied heft, with soft tannins and lots of ripe red berry fruit flavor with just a hint of spiced that makes it perfect with all of the flavors of fall. Unfortunately, Pinot Noir is considered wine with attitude- finicky and unpredictable. The 2004 RomCom “Sideways” promulgated a lot of that negative PR. Contrary to common belief; Pinot Noir is one of the most satisfying and versatile wines to be had. In the hands of a skilled craftsman, it can be a testament to the winemaker’s art. French Burgundy wines are made from the Pinot Noir grape. They are among the most expensive and most coveted wines in the world. The names are legendary: Romanee-Conti, Domaine Leroy, Henri Jayer, Domaine Leflaive and Domaine Armand Rousseau, among others.

 

A delightfully fruity and casual Pinot Noir comes fro Marlborough New Zealand. White Cliff Pinot Noir 2019 is a comfortably priced $20, bargain basement for a good Pinot Noir. Check all the boxes on the flavor card, and White Cliff delivers on all fronts.

 

Named after the 100-foot high white cliffs that bordered the original property, White Cliff has been producing high-quality wines of exceptional value that are designed for everyday enjoyment.

 

Of their new releases, they are most proud of their 2019 White Cliff Pinot Noir ($20). The 2019 vintage is one of the best we’ve seen in decades,” reports winemaker Kel Dixon. “My viticulture team has access to grapes from our four sub-regions, which ensures superior quality.”

 

The best way to serve the wine is lightly chilled and then allowed to breath in the decanter or in the glass for a bit, to allow the ripe fruit flavors to unfold. What emerges are some delicious flavors of candied cherries and wild raspberries.

 

I drank the wine with a Prime Aged Steak doused in a homemade deconstructed version of the Churrasco sauce served in the Argentinian steak houses. Mine consisted of a combination of crushed mint, parsley and garlic and a splash of olive oil, with a few hot chili flakes thrown in for good measure. You can eliminate the red pepper flakes if you’re sensitive to heat. This wine loves spicy dishes, like Asian stir-fries or Kung Pao Chicken. On the European side, almost anything made with fresh sage or rosemary and French, Spanish or Portuguese sausages take on new when paired with this wine.

 

With White Cliff 2019 Pinot Noir, the first sensation that hits you is the smell of fresh cut flowers, almost like fresh long-stemmed roses. The test is refreshing and bracing with a slight tingle from the bright acidity. Add to that some side notes of baking spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and a dash of star anise. The flavor is seductive, long lasting and delicious. I recommend a case or two to enjoy now and right through the Holidays.

 

 

 

Wine(s) of the Week Gary Farrell 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir-$45 Gary Farrell 2016 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley-$55

 

Wine(s) of the Week

 

Gary Farrell 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir-$45

Gary Farrell 2016 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley-$55

 

The “terroir” speaks volumes for the wine

Gary Farrell Russian River Valley Pinot Noirs with Roast Mint and Tangerine Duck with

Savory multi-colored carrots and mini-potatoes Below: Theresa Heredia, Gary Farrell Winemaker

The two Pinot Noirs are vastly different in taste, profile

 

By Dwight Casimere

 

The French are famous for creating words that do more than simply describe an object, an emotion or a place. They use words that embody a concept. Such a word is one commonly used in the wine industry, terroir. It means more than simply the ground that the wine grapes are grown in or the weather conditions under which they are developed. Rather, terroir refers to the time, the place and, yes, the season, the culture and, perhaps, even the mood of the person making the wine. It is a word that is all encompassing, as is the experience of drinking wine.

 

 

It with this idea in mind, that I began my conversation with Gary Farrell Vineyards’ tasting salon manger and estate sommelier Kevin Patterson, regarding the estate’s latest releases, 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir, which retails for $45 and 2017 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, which is $55. While made at the same winery and from the same grape, the two wines are quite distinct from one another and imbued with their own characteristics. They are perfect examples that illustrate the meaning of the term I used earlier…terroir.

 

“Every bottle of wine is a story of time and place,” said Kevin Patterson. “The story of our 2017 vintage is that it arrived in a very hot year, thus we had a very early harvest. Our winemaker, Theresa Heredia picked all of our grapes over Labor Day Weekend. The temperatures were in excess of 133 degrees, but we were able to get 95% of our fruit at the brix (level of sweetness) that we were looking for.

 

“What we do for all of our wines is simple. We treat all of our wines as if they were intended to be single vineyard wines, whether or not it is bottled as such. In the winemaking process, we ask ourselves, “Is this wine that we’re tasting from the barrel going to be part of an orchestra, or is it a soloist?”

 

Pointing specifically to the Gary Farrell 2017 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir ($45), as an example, Patterson elaborated, “This is definitely an orchestra. There’s something in this wine for everyone. It is certainly one of our most popular because of it. If you’re a person who likes wine with more fruit characteristics, there’s an aspect of fruit in this wine for you. If you prefer something that’s savory, with an earthy spice to it, this wine has some of that too. It’s a wine that’s typical of the Russian River Valley. Its something that you can simply sit with, relax and enjoy. One of the things I like to have with this wine is a Mushroom Pizza. It brings out the earthiness of the wine and there’s just enough of that smoky spice to bring out the flavors in both. “

 

Patterson said that when he’s in the tasting room, he tries to direct his guests toward food pairings that emphasize the wine. “When you’re pairing wine with food, you want to combine it with dishes that enhance the wine, not dominate it. You want the wine to be noticed first.”

 

In that regard, Gary Farrell wines tend to be lower in alcohol than most reds (11-14.5%), and to have a more restrained acidity. “One of the things that defines Gary Farrell wines is that they have more natural acidity.  The acidity begins to soften as the wines open up in the glass.”

 

Gary Farrell Russian River Selection Pinot Noir starts out with pronounced fruit notes of red cherries and raspberries, so typical for pinots from the area. “The fruit gives way to more savory characteristics, like tealeaf, and holiday spices like clove and cinnamon. There’s even some star anise and a little black pepper. This wine really takes you an a journey through the meal, because it starts to open up, you get more of those savory notes.” Looking forward to the fall season and the holidays ahead, Patterson offered; “Roast Duck would be delicious with this wine, for sure!”

 

Gary Farrell 2016 Hallberg Vineyard Pinto Noir ($55) is sui generis (a thing apart or in a class of its own). Although it is made from Russian River Valley Pinot Noir grapes, its characteristics are specific to the vineyard in which they are grown.

“You see that often in wine,” Patterson elaborated. A wine can be made from the same grape, even from neighboring vineyards, and they will be almost completely different.” Such is the case of the Hallberg Pinot Noir. Kirk Lokka, an industry veteran with a reputation for meticulous acumen, manages the vineyard. Named for its previous owners, Hallberg Vineyard is nestled in the Green Valley sub-appellation, known for its refreshing daytime breezes.  A strong marine influence brings the cool early morning fog that allows the fruit greater ‘hang time,’ giving the deep, dark fruit flavors, silky tannins and an earthiness that you can almost feel.

 

“Kirk is first and foremost an amazing farmer who knows this vineyard well. The vineyard is ‘dry farmed,’ which means there is no irrigation. Kirk hasn’t irrigated those vines since 2007. So the vines have that classic struggle that we in the winemaking business all look for. The vineyard has rich, sandy loam soil, and the roots have to really dig down past 15 feet to the water table to find nourishment. That brings about more complexity and greater flavor concentration.

 

“Concentration is really the story at Hallberg. More savory qualities and darker fruits; like black cherry, plum, come through.  There’s also a hint of dark tealeaf and dried flowers. On the back end, there’s almost a kind of minty freshness, a menthol quality, if you will, that is very refreshing. All those subtleties come through when the wine spends time in the glass or in the decanter. In fact, this wine rewards you with time.”

 

Patterson says his experiences with wine have taught him to broaden his perspective of the industry. “ I have had influencers and teachers over the years who have set me on a completely different path, such that I am always a student who has learned to look at wine in a totally jaydifferent way. Wine is not unlike art, or a landscape or a painting. It has depth, dimension and color. Wine is a way of experiencing flavor and life in a totally unique way. No two wines are exactly alike and no two vineyards will give you the exact same kind of wine. That’s why wine is never boring. There’s always something new.”

 

Gary Farrell Winery has introduced a series of virtual tasting experiences allowing wine lovers to enjoy wine at home with guidance from the winery’s estate sommeliers. Three different online tasting options bring the Gary Farrell Tasting Salon experience to customers who can’t visit in person.

To learn more about Gary Farrell wines and their unique portfolio, visit garyfarrellwinery.com.

 

 

 

 

WINE OF THE WEEK: JUAN GIL MONASTRELL HONORO VERA ORGANIC RED 2018-$10

 

Wine of the Week: Juan Gil Monastrell Honoro Vera Organic Red Wine 2018-$10

 Wine of the Week: Juan Gil Monastrell Honoro Vera Organic Red Wine 2018-$10

 

By Dwight Casimere

 

What wine goes best with BBQ, Pizza or a good, juicy hamburger (made with organic grass feed beef, of course). The answer is simple- Juan Gil Monastrell Honoro Vera Organic Red Wine 2018. At just $10 a bottle, it is a surprisingly rich and satisfying wine.

 

Juan Gil is one of the premiere Spanish producers, and this beauty, made from indigenous Monastrell grapes, otherwise known as Mourvedre, is from the southern region of Jumilla, Spain, where the grape has been grown for centuries.

 

Grown in the mountains high above the Mediterranean Sea, in sandy, stony limestone soils, the grapes must struggle to find moisture. They receive very little rainfall, in spite of their proximity to marine influence.

 

Harvested by hand, the grapes are then vinified in stainless steel tanks for two weeks at very low temperature. Then Honoro Vera Organic 2018 is kept refrigerated until bottling. This process gives the wine a very fresh, fruity taste that makes it a great companion with hearty dishes.

 

This young wine is unoaked. That means that only the vibrant fresh fruit flavors of the Monastrell grape shine through. The Gil family has another winery, Bodega Ateca, which produces some really pleasant wines in the DO Calatayud bearing the same name, Honoro Vera. For more on Juan Gil wines visit bodegasjuangil.com/en/.

 

WINES OF THE WEEK-THE WINES OF MOSCATO D'ASTI ON ZOOM

 INTERNATIONAL ZOOM CONFERENCE PRESENTED BY IEEM MONDAY AUG 31

WINE (s) OF THE WEEK- THE WINES OF MOSCATO D’ASTI IN ITALY

-Compo Moncalvina Moscato D’Asti-$18.99

-Michele Chiarlo – $19.99 (half bottle)

-La Caudrina – $10.99

-Marenco Scrapona– $20.99

-I Vignaioli Santo Stefano/Ceretto – $15.99 half bottle

The Moscato d'Asti Zoom conference by IEEM

Some of the Wines of Moscato d'Asti that were presented

 

 By Dwight Casimere

 

Moscato is most likely the first wine that many people experience in life either at a wedding reception or other family gathering, as a gift, or on a first date. As one wine writer surmised, “it’s the gateway drug of the wine industry and, fortunately, one that we just can’t stop drinking.”

 

That fact was brought out with uncompromising clarity in a recent Zoom conference with five producers from the Moscato D’ Asti DOCG coordinated by IEEM (International Event and Exhibition Management), the agency specializing in marketing, organizing and managing events, exhibitions and public relations for the wine industry.

 

Featured in the panel were Jeffrey Porter, Founder of Sip Trip Italy, who served as Moderator along with the producers of five wines from the region. Present via Zoom were Giacomo Pondini – Director of Consorzio d’Asti. Participating wine producers included Luigi Coppo - Coppo 1892, Marco Dogliotti – La Caudrina, Gianpiero Scavino – I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano/Ceretto,  Andrea Costa –Marenco and Stefano Chiarlo – Michele Chiarlo.

 

All of the wines were from the Moscato d’Asti, a wine region in northwest Italy, produced primarily in the province of Asti. The wine is also produced in the smaller nearby provinces of Alessandria and Cuneo.

 

Located in the Montferrat of Piedmont, it is an area dotted with Medieval castles and steep hillside vineyards, most of which can only be navigated on foot. The ancient Tower of Montferrat looms over the region like an ancient sentinel guarding its storied treasures and dark secrets.

 

Winemaking goes back to the time of the ancient Romans, who called the area Apiana.

 

“The word for bees in Italian is Ah-pay (ape),” proffered Luigi Coppo of Coppo 1892.  “The grape that is now called Muscato Bianco was first planted in the 12^th Century. In Latin language, it was called Muscatellum. The region was called Ape (bees) because the bees would hover on top of the grape clusters because of their unique aroma.”

 

Moscato bianco is the grape from which Moscato d’ Asti is made. It is one of the oldest grapes grown in the area. The sweet, low alcohol wine (usually around 5% alcohol) was originally reserved for the workers to refresh themselves during their midday meals or for just after the workday was done. The low alcohol wine could be had at any time of day without slowing the pace of the workers. Moscato d’Asti was also the wine of choice for the traditionally long, multicourse evening meals. The wine both cleansed the palate and stimulated the appetite for dessert.

 

The tasting session was a revelation. Although the wines were made from one grape, those from each of the five producers were distinct. The tasting proved the versatility of Moscato d’Asti and its ability to be paired with a diverse array of cuisines, from soft cheeses, to seafood, pastas and spicy dishes. The choice is as widely varied as your imagination will allow.

 

One of the journalists who participated in the conference was wine and travel writer Julia Coney of JuliaConey.com. She recalled our media trip to the Langhe in December, 2018. We were hosted by Eduardo Vilarino Gancia-owner of the Gancia Castle at Canelli. There, we had a marvelous luncheon overlooking the valley. It consisted of Gancia Moscato d’Asti Secco and housemade 23 egg-yolk pasta covered in shaved white Truffles, which were offered at the height of Truffle Season. It remains to this day, the most exquisite meal I’ve ever had. Simple. But oh, so elegant! More on Gancia and its place in the Moscato firmament later.

 

“Moscato d’ Asti is the most widely consumed sweet wine in the world,” Coppo emphasized. “The DOCG is also one of the largest and most diverse in the world. Moscato d’Asti is not only consumed as a dessert wine, it is also an everyday wine.”

 

As moderator Jeffrey Porter exclaimed, “The 20^th century marked the triumph of Moscato d’Asti.”

 

Moscato’s popularity began to soar in the 1990s and continued to do so into the Millenium. From 2011 to 2014, Moscato d’Asti sales in the U.S. increased 73%. Consumers under the age of 45 have been the motivating force behind the sales increase that has hovered around a 10-15% increase each year.

 

The reason is simple. The wines are both approachable and affordable. Inexplicably, the wine has also become the darling of hip-hop culture, with Trey Songz and Drake referring to Moscato in their 2009 hit “I Invented Sex.” Granted, Moscato d’Asti has been credited with sparking many a romance, but I’m not quite sure that its producers had that in mind when they started out!

 

Coppo Moncalvina 2019 ($18.99) is the winery’s flagship wine. “Moncalvina is the name of our countryside home in St.  Antonio. It is an important place in (the subzone)  Canelli. Only 22 of the 52 townships can carry the denomination Moscato DOCG and we are located in one of them.”

 

The history of Coppo and Moncalvina extends well into antiquity.  “The estate was founded by my great-grandfather in 1892. We have remained true to his search for a wine with balance and freshness and just the right acidity. Mint and herbal notes are characteristic of that side of Canelli. That makes it a more serious wine, intended for food.”

 

“It’s a much more visceral, emotional experience,” moderator Porter chimed in. “It’s not just cookies and dessert!”

 

La Cadrina from Romano Dogliotti ($10.99) was next. “My father was one of the first of the small growers to bottle his own wine,” said Marco Dogliotti. “Our wine is really in demand, especially during the Holidays. The secret is to stop the fermentation at just the right time and maintain very cool temperatures to maintain the freshness. The wine develops a floral profile, with flavors of ripe peach.”

 

Gaining the coveted DOCG denomination is no mean feat. “The wine goes before a panel of experts before it can receive DOCG.”

 

Stefano Chiarlo of Michele Chiarlo suggested we savor in concert his marvelous sweet wine Nivole. At $19.99 the half bottle, it was the priciest of all of the day’s offerings. It certainly outweighed its price point in flavor and value. “I consider this the ‘sorbet’ of wines,” Stefano beamed. “It is difficult to produce a wine like this that has just the right balance of flavor and texture.

 

The great and legendary Michael Broadbent, Director of Christie’s in London and Master of Wine’s President, declared Michele Chiarlo “the Best dessert wine in the world. Nivole is constantly the best.”

 

After the grapes are harvested by hand, the grapes are softly whole-pressed and fermented at controlled temperature to achieve an alcohol content of 5%. A part of the natural carbon dioxide that is developed is ‘entrapped,’ giving the wine a delicate effervescence. A process of micro-filtration gives the wine clarity and purity, evident in its brilliant straw yellow color and delicate floral aromas. Creamy and fragrant with a refreshing finish, this is one to savor after a satisfying meal.

 

Giacomo Pondini-Director of Consorzio d’Asti described the next participant, Marenco Scrapona ($20.99) as ”the cherry on the cake,” both for the quality of the wine and its location in a World Heritage Site. Winemaker Andrea Costa spoke of “the beauty of the hills” and the commitment of the winery to “protect the connection between the territory and man in
Piemonte.”

 

Marenco Scrapona is blended from Moscato grapes that are selected through a traditional technique that has been used for decades. It is an aromatic wine, with the perfume of the Moscato grape and a mouth nurturing blend of ripe fruit flavors including white peaches, a touch of tangerine and Asian pear with notes of brioche toast and a hint of mint.

 

Marenco Scrapona is equally at home with a Spicy Tuna Roll, a zippy seafood gumbo or a frothy, creamy Zabaglione. A rarity among white wines, it is capable of aging for up to two years revealing even more of its kaleidoscopic complexity.

Julia Coney of JuliaConey.com and Melissa Richter-Look East/Lifestyle Asia-Thailand

23 Egg Pasta woth Shaved White Truffle

Dwight Casimere (r) with Eduardo Vilarino Gancia-Owner, Gancia Wines

The Gancia Castle at Canelli

Moscato a UNESCO treasure

 

“The Moscato grape plays an important role in the UNESCO story,” Andrea Costa explained.  “There’s so much history in wine and Marenco Scrapona wine is a big part of it.”

 

Costa also had a surprise for the gathering. “You are the first to see our new label. The wine inside is still the same, but the label has changed.”

 

In charting the preeminence of the Moscato grape, Costa referenced the work of legendary winemaker Carlo Gancia in Turin, considered the father of Italian sparkling wine. “Carlo Gancia turned the wine world on its head in 1865, when he took all of that study he did in Champagne and after 15 years of trials and error, he began the production of the first commercial sparkling wine on a large scale.” Premium Asti DOCG is still produced using the same method today.

 

Gianpiero Scavino of I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano/Ceretto- Piemonte ($15.99 half bottle) concluded the conference. Thanks to winemakers and vineyard owners Bruno and Marcello Ceretto, along with Giancarlo Scavino, who founded I Vignaioli di Santo Stefano (The Winemakers of Saint Stephens or Santo Stefano in Italian). 

 

The Ceretto brothers founded the winery in 1976 in the actual birthplace of their father, Riccardo. With the passing of Giancarlo Scavino in 1995, his sons Gianpiero and Andrea took the reigns.

 

Careful and painstaking pruning, bunch thinning and sorting, all done by hand, during the harvest, are the cornerstones of the work in the vineyard. Further decanting, fining and filtration are done at the minimum to enhance the aromatic quality of the wine.

 

The image of the wine, with the designer label and bottle by one of Italy’s most celebrated designers, Giacomo Bersanetti, created in 1987, further sets this wine in a class by itself.

 

“One grape. Five wines. Five producers. Yet, each wine is singular and poignant,” moderator Jeffrey Porter concluded. It was a fittingly evocative statement that perfectly defined the sentiment of the afternoon. For more information on Moscato d’Asti, visit astidocg.it.