- Italian White Wines Demystified -
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Can you believe this heat wave? After this last relentless winter, we deserve some ice cold white wine in the sunshine! We all love a great Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc on a patio, but if you're feeling like exploring something new — we urge you to dive into the world of Italian white wine. There is so much more than Pinot Grigio. |
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DeLille Cellars Wine Tasting Event |
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Thursday, April 20th, 6:30 p.m.
$30 ticket includes $20 credit towards DeLille wines!
Join us and expert Brian Maxwell, DeLille Winery, for an intimate journey through the history and wines of DeLille Cellars. DeLille Cellars pioneered Bordeaux-style blends in Washington State (both red and white), inspiring Robert Parker to proclaim DeLille Cellars the “Lafite Rothschild of Washington State.” Having totaled over 800 individual 90+ scores from leading critics, as well as holding the coveted position in the ‘Top 100’ Guides of Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast for both red and white wine, DeLille Cellars is a triumph of Columbia Valley.
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Italian White Wines We Love
So here is the thing — Italy grows over 500 grape varietals! There are SO many exquisite Italian white wines to explore. But luckily, the long journey of discovery is a delicious one. Today, we will explore a few of our most beloved.
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Vermentino
This light bodied white grape varietal is grown widely throughout the Mediterranean. In Italy, you will find this dry white wine made in Sardinia, Umbria, Tuscany, Piedmont, and more! Vermentino makes a fabulous alternative to Sauvignon Blanc because it's citrusy with fresh acidity, minerality, and has similarly elevated phenols which contribute to a slightly bitter finish. Sauvignon Blanc often tastes 'grassy' and Vermentino will often taste herbaceous. We love Agriolas Costamolino's Vermentino Di Sardegna for its bright green apple and citrus profile. Try Pala's 'Soprasole' Vermentino Di Sardegna for a fuller bodied style with notes of florality, lime, and a vegetal greenness. Traditional food pairings for Vermentino include bright seafood dishes, salads, and lighter pasta courses.
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Verdeca
Verdeca is a late ripening grape that flourishes in Southern and Central Italy, where it retains its acidity despite the warmth. This grape varietal is often mineral forward with "flinty" notes. Verdeca can be herbaceous at times, and sometimes rather neutral. BUT, when it's made with care Verdeca can be a magical and unique varietal. We love the Masseria Li Veli Verdeca, which is a fuller bodied style with notes of tropical & citrus fruits, spice, and abundant minerality. This makes an amazing alternative to Chardonnay. Produttori Di Manduria's 'Alice' Verdeca is an unbelievably delicious and unique Verdeca. This supple wine is floral and bursting with aromas and flavors of fresh pressed pear juice. Tried-and-true food pairings for Verdeca include clams, calamari, and fresh baked pastries like croissants.
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Verdicchio
Verdicchio is most often made in Central Italy's Le Marche and Tuscany regions. Verdicchio is a structured wine with great acidity, and is a fabulous wine to age in your cellar. It starts off fruity but develops aromas of honey and yellow fruit jams over time. A defining characteristic is its dry bitter, almond-y, finish. There is a greenness about Verdicchio that makes it a fun alternative to Gruner Veltliner. Andre Felici's Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi is a stunning Spring wine with notes of green apple, honeydew, lime and herbs. Brunori's 'Le Gemme' Verdicchio is a complex and intensely aromatic wine with notes of fennel, white peach and salty almonds. Try pairing Verdicchio with seafood risotto, prosciutto quiche, or with flavorful truffle dishes!
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Arneis
Arneis is the delicious white wine of the Piedmont region, and is commonly characterized by its fuller body, herbaceousness, fruity notes (pears, apricots, lemon), and a touch of savory nuttiness (almond, hazelnut). Because of the weight of Arneis, it makes a fun alternative to white Rhone varietals. The Angelo Negro Vino Bianco is an unfiltered Arneis — zesty and refreshing, this organic wine is robustly fruit forward and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. The Vietti Arneis is a refined, medium-bodied, white wine with fruit notes of citrus & melon balanced by florality, minerality, and a classic hint of almond. Arneis pairs wonderfully with poultry, creamy pasta dishes, and can also be used as a substitution in place of Pinot Grigio!
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Falanghina
Falanghina is an ancient varietal most often found in Southern Italy's Campania region where it thrives in the warm climate and porous volcanic soils. This wine has a subtle yet distinct aroma of pine, with additional notes of spice and minerality, citrus-blossom, apple and pear. The Terre Stregate 'Svelato' Falanghina is a fuller bodied style bursting with fruit notes of apricot and pineapple, with interesting layers of sage, minerality, and wildflowers. The Casa Setaro Falanghina is a rich, mineral-driven wine with notes of tropical fruits and aromatic herbs. Falanghina pairs perfectly with fried seafood, tinned fish courses, and tomato based pasta dishes.
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Cocktail Of The Week: The Uptown Royale
The Uptown Royale is a modern cocktail with classic roots. This came to be at New York cocktail lounge, Lion Lion by bar man Zachary Gelnaw-Rubin. It uses Rye, Averna, Orange Curacao and Champagne (or sparkling). This one interests me because it is using some heavy alcohol forward ingredients then is lightened up with the Champagne. I like all of that!
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INGREDIENTS
1oz Mitcher's Rye Whiskey
.75oz Averna
.25oz Pierre Dry Orange Curacao
Top Champagne or Sparkling Wine
INSTRUCTIONS: Add all ingredients (except Champagne) into a mixing glass, add ice, stir to dilute, strain into glass and top with Champagne. Garnish with an orange twist.
Cheers,
Nikola
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Friday Tasting Table
Friday, 04/14/23, 4 - 8 p.m.
Join Nick of New France Wine Company for a FREE wine tastings this Friday!
Get 10% off any of the wines you taste.
We will be tasting outside!!
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Staff Picks - What to Drink This Week
Try these special, staff-selected libations!
2020 Roterfaden & Rosswag Terraces Red - $18.99
Rarely do we think of red wines when we think of Germany and we hardly ever see wines from Wurttemberg- an obscure and overlooked area of Southern Germany which is mostly dominated by co-ops and farm mostly red grapes - which is why we are delighted to bring this little gem into the shop! A unique blend of Lemberger (Blaufränkisch) Trollinger (Schiava) Regent and Schwarzriesling (Pinot Meunier) that is organically farmed on steep, ancient stone terraces that overlook a 1000 year old amphitheater. In the glass it's all juicy red brambly fruit, allspice and black pepper. A perfect food companion, serve with a slight chill and fire up the grill!
-Angie
2022 Margins Counoise - $31.99
Margins is the winemaking endeavor of Megan Bell who has like many driven Californian vignerons invested in the unrepresented regions, varietals, and vineyards breathing life and vibrancy into the California wine scene. Megan, who is based in the Santa Cruz Mountains works closely with growers to convert to organic agriculture, revitalizing great vineyards. One of these growers is Ed Sattler who in 2009 planted Mourvedre and Counoise in his backyard at the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and as of 2021 it is completely organically farmed. Counoise is the perfect light red for Spring time enjoyment. The nose shows aromas of wild strawberry and the palate delivers delicious berry fruit with mild tannin and baking spice. This super crushable red is great with a chill and will pair well with grilled fare.
-Rob
Portage Darklines; English Mild - $11.99
So many beers today are a bit too extreme for me. Whether it's a double dry hopped triple IPA, a smoothie sour with an entire fruit basket's worth of flavors, or the darkest and thickest imperial stout, sometimes the flavor (and ABV) is too dang much. Get back to basics with Darklines by Portage, an English dark mild ale that is both malty and crushable. Darklines comes in at only 3.4% ABV, meaning you don't have to worry about opening a second (or even third or fourth) can. The flavor is also fantastic: roasty and malty, but still light enough to drink all summer long. If you're sad to see the season of darker beers wane, here's an excellent brew to hold you over until Minnesota is back up to its eyes in snow.
-Nick N
2021 Antonelli 'Trebium' Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino - $28.99
Although the parentage of Trebbiano Spoletino is unknown, DNA analysis has shown a genetic relationship with Trebbiano d'Abruzzo but, in no way, is it related to Trebbiano Toscano or the ubiquitous French Ugni Blanc, which is actually Trebbiano thought to have been exported to France from Italy during the Avignon Papacy of the 14th century. Confused? I admit that I am a little. For generations "Trebbiano" grapes were simply grouped together because of certain perceived similarities before scientific research could show quantitative differences. At any rate, Trebbiano Spoletino is a white wine grape from the area around the beautiful Umbrian town of Spoleto and was granted DOC status in 2011 as a distinct varietal.
Antonelli is well known for their excellent expression of the extremely tannic local red grape Sagrantino and they attend to the naturally high acid Trebbiano Spoletino with equal care, organically farming old vines grown in between maple trees to make this wine as a mono-varietal. After harvesting, skin contact maceration and soft pressing are employed and native yeast fermentation is in large oak barrels. The juice stays on the lees for 6 months and then is bottle aged for 4 months. The result is a wine of intense gold color. Aromas are fruity and floral, with notes of almonds. The palate is well balanced by lifted retained acidity and tropical fruit with touches of fresh herbs and a slightly spicy finish. Enjoy this with Prosciutto and aged Pecorino cheese.
-Patrick
2021 Hirsch ‘Hirschvergnugen’ Gruner Veltliner, Kamptal - $27.99
This is a bombshell of a Gruner Veltliner. Plump ripe orchard fruit abounds before giving way to a laser-like finish. This wine is completely satisfying and friendly but not simple. The winemaking yields fruit that is as clean and precise as can be imagined.
-Dave
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VERY IMPORTANT - Furry Friend Visits! |
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Cheers Everyone!
The Team at North Loop Wine & Spirits
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