CELEBRATE THE WINES OF VERONA!
Wine Tasting April 16 & 17
Friday Apr. 16, 4-7 Belmont
Sat. Apr. 17, 2-5 Concord
Verona
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From the historic Roman ruins and coliseum, to the hills of Valpolicella, Verona is a beautiful city with a great heritage of food and wine. Eric Broege spent last week in Verona at the annual Italian wine expo, Vinitaly. After the long days of tasting and meeting with winemakers in the sterile halls, going out into the Verona’s lively streets at night to enjoy the Veronese cuisine was a highlight. So while it’s fresh in mind and on the tongue, we invite you to taste a range of wines: from the legendary to the up and coming, join us for a taste of Verona NOW!
Historic producers such as Quintarelli, the maestro, and the younger Tommaso Bussola from the same village, who looked up to him as a role model and mentor.
Ca la Bionda in Valpolicella is run by two brothers who are taking the road less traveled in this region — uncovering and expressing the terroir and natural character of Valpolicella is the challenge they have engaged. Every wine has a story…. come and taste!
white
2008 PRA Soave Classico $16.99
Pra uses solely Garganega grapes for their Soave Classico, grown on their 14 ha estate in volcanic soil. The estate is run by brothers Sergio and Graziano Pra, one of a handful of world-class producers in Soave who have revitalized the region and its vibrant white wines. Delicate fish, or asparagus with lemon make delicious pairings with this elegant Soave Classico.
2008 OTTELLA Lugana “La Creete” $19.99
From the Montresor family of Ottella in Peschiera della Garda, “La Creete” is a single-vineyard bottling made from the estate’s Trebbiano di Lugana. No lightweight, this Lugana is round and full in the mouth, dry, yet elegant. A welcome alternative to chardonnay.
Red
Matilde Poggi
2008 LA FRAGHE Bardolino $14.99
Get to know Bardolino! “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.” Enough platitudes. Taste this perfect spring red from winemaker and friend MATILDE POGGI at Le Fraghe. A blend of corvina & rondinella grapes from the Veneto, Le Fraghe Bardolino is ruby red with a perfumed nose of sweet-sour cherry and blueberry, and spicy nuances of cinnamon and black pepper.
2007 CA LA BIONDA Valpolicella Superiore “Ravazzol” $17.99
Leave all your preconceptions of Valpolicella at the door.Ca la Bionda was founded in 1902 by Pietro Castellani. Now the fourth generation of the Castellani family continues cultivating the vineyards and vinifying the grapes for their wines to express the natural character of the wines in this region. The Valpolicella “Ravazzol” is a single vineyard bottling made from a blend of old-vine grapes: 70% Corvina, 20% Corvinone, 10% Molinara. The average age of vines are 50-70 years; yields are held at a maximum of 5-6 tons per hectare. Enjoyable, versatile wine!
Tommaso Bussola
2003 TOMASSO BUSSOLA Amarone Classico $65 The story goes that legendary Amarone producer Quintarelliwas asked a few years ago who was the next big thingin Valpolicella; he replied “Tomasso Bussola.” Bussola’s wines are rightly famous in Italy and are superb examples of the best you can get from Valpolicella and Amarone.
“This is an exotic Amarone that captures an almost port-like expression of fruit while remaining light on its feet. There is plenty of clarity and detail in the dark fruit, flowers and minerals that waft from the glass. Despite its ripeness and richness, this remains a medium-bodied, accessible Amarone perfect for near-term drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2023. 92 pts.”– WA
1998 QUINTARELLI “Ca’del Merlo” IGT Reg. $90 Special $65! Maestro on sale!
Let’s get something straight: There is no merlot in “Merlo.” This wine is a single-vineyard Valpolicella, named for a local bird.
The legendary Giuseppe Quintarellifollows his own traditionalist principles, not the market’s. “The fundamental problem in wine today is that too many producers ‘hurry’ to make their wines: they hurry the fruit in the vineyard and they hurry the vinification and rush to bottle. They rush to sell their product without allowing it the proper time to age. Patience – this is the most important attribute in winemaking. Patience in growing, patience in selection, and patience in vinification.”
rrived, the delightful rose “Le Plaisir” from the historic Mas Amiel property in Roussillon, southern France. Verdict? Tremendous! From 70% Grenache Noir, this rosé delivers crushed berries, racy minerality, and wonderful complexity. Offers both freshness and structure, with an enticingly zesty finish. Pure pleasure!
you have even a tiny bit of curiosity about Montefalco or Paolo Bea wines, don’t wait too long. The 2006 Paolo Bea “San Valentino” Umbria Rosso at $30 is a great value — the Bea’s line-up generally starts at $50 for the white and goes up from there.
Organically farmed, 100% Tempranillo from 20-year old vines planted at the foot of the Sierra Cantabria mountains. Spicy floral aromas with striking mineral notes. Delivers excellent structure along with a solid core of fruit.
