WineGuyMike attended a local wine tasting a couple of nights ago hosted at the La Grotta Bella by Worden’s Deli. This is a weekly tasting get together of locals enjoying wine and each others company. The cost of attending one of these tastings is $10.00 per person and they run from 5-8 in the evening.
I would recommend getting there early as the tasting is on a first come first serve basis. The bread and olive oil go first which they are not necessarily great about replenishing. The wine is plentiful though and ultimately that is what you are there for, so without further ado on to the wine review.
Wine # 1
Dolcetto d’Alba Tre Vigne 2008 DDOC
Dolcetto d'Alba Tre Vigne 2008 DDOC
Designation: Estate-bottled Dolcetto d’Alba DDOC
Region: Alba, Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Dolcetto d’Alba.
Winemaking: The wine is fermented in stainless steel at fairly cool temperatures to preserve Dolcetto’s black cherry, raspberry and blueberry fruit aromas. Prior to malolactic fermentation it settles to draw out the color and richness. The wine is then racked into different stainless steel tanks for natural clarification prior to bottling.
Aging: total aging of 6 months in Slovenian oak. Bottled unfiltered.
Description: Purple red color with a light blue hue, the Dolcetto has aromas of black cherry, raspberry and hint of blueberries and minerals. An unoaked wine, this medium bodied red has soft tannins, moderate acidity and good balance.
Food Pairings: Grilled vegetables and casual dishes such as pizza, deli sandwiches and light pasta dishes.
Alcohol: 13.17% Alc. by vol.
Total Acidity: 5.4 g/l
Total dry extract: 26.8 g/L
Bottles: 23,500 bottles
Price offering at tasting; Bottle $19.99, Case $230.00
Wine #2
Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne 2007
Barbera D'Asti Tre Vigne 2007 DDOC
Designation: estate-bottled Barbera d’Asti DDOC
Region: Asti, Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Barbera
Winemaking: the grapes are selected from young vineyards, approximately 10 years old, in Agliano d’Asti that are planted 4,800 plants per hectare with a yield of 39 hl/ha. The must is kept, for 12 days, in stainless steel tanks at 30-32°C.
Aging: at the end of the malolactic fermentation, the wine is moved into French oak barrels or Slavonian oak casks for 12 months, then into steel tanks 2 months before bottling. The wine is bottled unfiltered to retain complexity.
Description: ruby purple color with ripe red cherry aromas with hints of mineral and vanilla. A dry, medium bodied red wine with refreshing acidity (making it perfect to pair with food) and soft tannins, the Barbera d’Asti Tre Vigne is well balanced with good integration of oak, good complexity and a finish of more red cherries.
Food Pairings: antipasti, rich salads, grilled seasoned vegetables, hearty soups, pastas or with breaded veal, pork, chicken with light sauces
Alcohol: 14.58 % Alc. by vol.
Total Acidity: 5.9 g/L.
Total dry extract: 30.6 g/L.
Bottles: 60,580
Price offering at tasting; Bottle $$17.99, Case $205.00
Wine #3
Nebbiolo Perbacco 2006
Nebbiolo Perbacco 2006 DDOC
Designation: Estate-bottled, DDOC
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Winemaking: The grapes are selected from different vineyards of Nebbiolo for Barolo: from Scarrone, Bricco Boschis, Valletta in Castiglione Falletto, Fossa in Barolo and Ravera of Novello village. The average age of the vines is 35 years, and the plants per hectare are 4,500. All vineyards are vinified and aged separately. 18-21 days of alcoholic fermentation between 28°-35°. It follows the malolactic in stainless steel tank and barrels.
Aging: The first part of the ageing is done in barriques for 10 months ( only some cru wineyards ) and then in Slovenian oak casks for other 16 months. Before the last blending for the bottling of our Barolo Castiglione, we select the casks to use for our Nebbiolo Perbacco.
Description: fromPale ruby color with aromas of ripe cherries with hints of spice. With gripping tannins, fresh acidity, this Nebbiolo shows finesse, is well-balanced, integration and a lingering finish of rose petals.
Food Pairings: Hearty stew, wild game, roasted red meats and sharp, aged cheeses
Alcohol: 13.5% Alc. by vol
Total Acidity: 5.8g/l
Bottles: 70,000
Price offering at tasting; $17.99 Bottle, $205.00 Case
Wine #4
Barolo Castiglione 2005 DOCG
Barolo Castiglione 2005 DOCG
Designation: estate-bottled, Barolo DOCG
Region: Barolo, Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Winemaking: the grapes are selected from vineyards located in Castiglione Falletto, Monforte, Barolo and Novello where the vines are planed an average of 4,800 vines per hectare. The vines are 7 to 35 years old with yields of 38 hl/ha, grown using the Guyot system. After harvesting, the grapes are gently pressed. Fermentation in stainless steel occurs over 15 days, with daily cap submersion for extraction of flavor and color.
Aging: the wine is then aged for 24 months in casks. The wine was blended in stainless steel tanks 8 months before bottling. Unfiltered.
Description: pale ruby color with garnet hues and powerful aromas of rich, ripe cherries with intricate complexities of spice, tea leaves and rose petals. With strong, rich tannins, crisp acidity and masculine structure, this ageworthy Barolo shows incredible finesse with excellent balance, integration and a long, lingering finish.
Food Pairings: hearty stew, wild game, roasted red meats and sharp, aged cheeses.
Alcohol: 14.02% Alc. by vol.
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L.
Total dry extract: 27.8 g/L.
Bottles: 37,335 bottles
Price offering at tasting; $44.99 Bottle, $530.00 Case
This was a nice flight of wines, particularly if you like light to medium bodied dry red Italian wines. These are all wines I would enjoy now an not worry about aging. From my table to yours.
WineGuyMike