First Rosé of the Season (As Always - Tastings Are Free) 
The weather was great this weekend, so while I dined at Lupa I decided to tuck into my first rosé of the season. Don't get me wrong: I've tasted many in the past couple of months, but this was my first with a meal. And, it was just right. Refreshing, stood up to and complemented the food, and made me think of hot faraway places.
The wine I had, which we're offering at $13.75 instead of the normal price of $15.25 (compare to $40.00 at Lupa) today and tomorrow is (we'll be pouring it as well, or course):
Corte Gardoni Chiaretto Rosé 2011
A wonderfully light aromatic wine with thirst-quenching acidity, high-toned red fruit and and undercurrent of minerality and spicebox.
The Chiaretto comes from the Bardolino region of The Vento (north of Venice) in Italy and is made primarily from the very light-bodied, very aromatic Corvina grape with some Molinara and Rondinella mixed in. Some of you may notice that these are the grapes that make up the great Amarones of the region, but Amarone is made in a special way producing a very full-bodied, high alcohol wine. But, traditional Bardonlinos are quite the opposite of Amarones.
Click here to purchase so you don't miss out.
Seth
The Facts
 For more than 20 years, Gianni Piccoli of Corte Gardoni has been bucking the trend in Bardolino. While most producers in the appellation focus on higher yielding Rondinella, Molinara and international varieties like Merlot and Chardonnay, Piccoli does what few dare try. Corte Gardoni is largely focused on Corvina, the light, brilliantly spicy and aromatic variety that sits at the core of the greatest wine of the Veneto -- Amarone.
But Piccoli's expression of Corvina has little to do with Amarone. The light soil at Corte Gardoni provides Corvina with a more vibrant feel. Corvina is most similar to Pinot Noir, not more full-bodied grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel., which you might think if you've only tried Amarone. Piccoli goes for the traditional elegance in Corvina and leaves the the drying of Corvina grapes on straw mats to produce big wines to his neighbors in Valpolicella.
Most of the wine produced at the winery gets consumed locally, with only tiny amounts making it to the US.
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Downtown Cellars
212-406-9463
www.downtowncellars.com
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