VINTAGES HEADLINES:

*Eric Broege one of 6 US retailers invited to Alba Wine Exhibition, Piedmont Italy
*ERIC BROEGE featured in Italian newspaper LA STAMPA on May 9!
*Featured Red Wine: 2005 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Furore Rosso” $23 VINTAGES US EXCLUSIVE
*NEW ARRIVALS for a crazy spring!
*FEATURED PRODUCERS from Oregon, Piedmont, Marche

VINTAGES’ Eric Broege was one of six U.S. wine merchants (the only one from New England) invited to attend the prestigious ALBA WINE EXHIBITION in Piedmont, Italy, May 6-11. On May 9, the Italian newspaper “La Stampa” ran an article featuring three of the U.S wine merchants. Eric was photographed and described as “One of the most influential ambassadors of great Italian wine.” A great honor and acknowledgement of Eric’s and VINTAGES’ passion for Italian wine, and his expertise in the wines of Piedmont!

Featured Red:
2005 MARISA CUOMO Costa d’Amalfi “Furore Rosso” $23 (CAMPANIA) VINTAGES US EXCLUSIVE

MARISA CUOMO produces benchmark red and white wines from Italy’s Amalfi coast. On steep, terraced cliffs, vines heavy with grapes hang over the sea. While it makes for a stunning vista, harvesting these grapes is painstaking work. But we are grateful to have this wine, and are excited to share it with you, our adventurous customers. Eric originally tasted this gem with Marisa Cuomo in Italy, and it was love at first sip! Newly arrived in the shop, it’s drinking beautifully, ready to enjoy now. The 2005 Furore Rosso is a blend of native Aglianico and Piedirosso grapes with lush texture and deep fruit. Elegant style, medium-bodied with ripe blackberry, black cherry, and a hint of cinnamon. Fruit and herb notes in the nose. Lovely sweet tannins on the finish; a simply delicious red!

*NEW ARRIVALS for a crazy SPRING!

Hot, cold, rain, wind – crazy weather calls for adventurous wine! We at VINTAGES are so excited about these newly arrived wines we can barely contain ourselves. So many wines, too little time. So let’s get started!

White

2005 COLLE DEI BARDELLINI “Scirocco” $16.99 Delightful “vivace” white from the Ligurian coast of the Italian Riviera. This lightly sparkling vermentino pairs beautifully with appetizers, fish and seafood, and crispy fried treats like “fritto misto.”

2005 OTTELLA LUGANA $12.99 (Veneto)   From Lake Garda outside of Verona, this stylish, crisp white is the epitome of a summer wine. When someone says “bring chardonnay,” bring Lugana instead – they’ll be delighted!

2004 SAN FEREOLO Langhe Bianco $19.99 (Piedmont, Italy) Pioneering winemaker Nicoletta Bocca makes a tiny quantity of white wine from her hilltop vineyards in the Dogliani region of Piedmont. Refreshing blend of gewürztraminer and Riesling when you want a white with a little more flavor and body. Think spicy shrimp, thai flavors, or a cheese plate.

2006 MORGADIO ALBARINO $19.99 (Spain-Rias Baixas) A chilled thriller! Made from 100% Albarino from Galicia. Vibrant, minerally bouquet of wet stone, acacia flower, honeysuckle, lime and lemon zest, grapefruit and green apple. Racy, exuberant citrus and fresh fig flavors show a mouthwatering quality. This wine has impressive length and energy, with a finish that won't let up. Another superb wine from this consistently top-notch producer.

Rosé
May is spring blooms, graduations, and the first Rosés of the season! Pink, dry and chic --enjoy!

2006 CHATEAU ROQUEFORT Rose “Corail” $15.99 (Provence) Organically-grown favorite from Provence with a bright strawberry color! Lovely rosé, with enough body to pair well with appetizers to main courses.

2006 COMMANDERIE de la BARGEMONE $11.99 (Provence) Classic provençal rose! Deep salmon color, fragrant with fruit and herbal notes, and absolutely dry.

2006 DOMAINE du BAGNOL Cassis Rose $25 Bone-dry and unbelievably elegant rose from the Cassis region on the French Riviera. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Cinsault with wonderful minerality and body. Stunning!

Reds

2005 CANTINA DEL PINO Langhe Freisa $14.99 SPECIAL 20% OFF a case! ($11.99 net with case purchase) (Piedmont) This delicious, juicy chill-able red is the best of both worlds when you want something red AND refreshing. This remarkable red also has a bit of sparkle, or frizzante, that bubbles off after the first few sips. But the delicious fruit flavors and dry, refreshing finish continue to delight.

New vintage of REMEJEANNE Cotes-du-Rhone

Outstanding values from the Rhone! These perennial favorites from Remy Klein are better than ever in the 2005 vintage. Beautiful cherry fruit, medium body, perfect balance. Take your pick of these two Rhones and enjoy all summer!

2005 DOM. de la REMEJEANNE Cotes-du-Rhone “Les Chevrefeuilles” $12.99 The go-to red for summer! Primarily Grenache with a little Syrah in the blend; lovely fruit, smooth, clean finish.

2005 DOM. de la REMEJEANNE Cotes-du-Rhone “Les Arbousiers” $15.99 Well-balanced Grenache-Syrah blend with plenty of pepper, herbs de Provence, spice, and fruit. A little more complexity and tannic grip.

2004 CANTINE SASSO “Sasso” Aglianico del Vulture $11.99 (S. Italy) Smooth, easy-drinking red from southern Italy’s Basilicata region. A great pizza wine! (And a tiny dog on the label.)

2005 SAN LEONARDO MERLOT $17.99 (Northern Italy – Dolomites) Given up on Merlot? Not so fast. This elegant, cool-climate merlot from northern Italy’s Dolomites is elegant and intense, with a beautifully fragrant nose of blackberry, graphite, roast coffee bean and dark chocolate. Deceptively powerful with fine tannins. Great value!!!

*FEATURED PRODUCERS from Oregon, Piedmont, Marche

ARTISANAL PINOT NOIR from ST. INNOCENT WINERY (Salem, Oregon) “Terroir is my dream.”
St. Innocent Winery was founded in 1988 by winemaker Mark Vlossak. His guiding philosophy is that wine should complement and extend the pleasure of a meal. To this end, St. Innocent wines tend toward higher acidity, and more diverse and balanced flavors (meaning enjoyable, multi-layered wines).  “Mark Vlossak continues to grace consumers with the finest Pinot Noirs Oregon has fashioned to date. Vlossak's dedication to quality and his commitment to delivering value to his customers is exemplary.” -Wine Advocate

2005 ST. INNOCENT PINOT NOIR Temperance Hill Vineyard $32 Located ten miles northwest of Salem, Temperance Hill is the coolest and latest-ripening vineyard and is farmed organically. Winemaker Mark Vlossak: “The 2005 Temperance Hill is a deep ruby red. It has a dense and rich aroma of black cherries and dried, chocolate covered cherries with hints of lilac and other purple flowers. With air, the aromas liven and become sweet. Red and black fruits dominated the palate with spice and earth notes. It matches perfectly with grilled meats, veggies and potato salad (my favorite summer meal). It is also a wonderful match with grilled salmon.” Quantities very limited.

2005 ST. INNOCENT PINOT NOIR Shea Vineyard $44 Shea Vineyard is located in the Yamhill foothills, 35 miles southwest of Portland, Oregon. Shea Vineyard produces a very classic style of Pinot noir. Shea Pinot noirs emphasize elegance with good acidity, balanced flavors, well concentrated fruit, and nuances that are specific to the terroir of the vineyard. Because of their ripe tannins and supporting acidity, Shea is an excellent match with richly flavored foods. Its nose is layered with dark fruits, orange peel, and dark flowers with spices underneath. The initial flavors rich with red and black raspberries, dried flowers and spice. With air, the '05 Shea reveals substantial layers, depth and density. Again, limited quantities. All discounts apply.

PIEDMONT – CAPPELLANO BAROLO & BARBERA

2001 CAPPELLANO Barbera d’Alba “Gabutti” $30

2001 CAPPELLANO Pies Rupestris Barolo $79

Teopoldo Cappellano, whose family has been producing wines in Serralunga d’Alba and Barolo for over a hundred years, is a staunch traditionalist.  The estate’s biodynamically-farmed Gabutti vineyard is considered to be one of the finest in all of Piedmont. A legend in Barolo—and among artisanal growers throughout Italy—Cappellano is one of the last of the region’s great traditionalists... andone of Barolo’s most compelling personalities. In 1983 he banished all journalists from his cellar, unless they agreed to review his wines without scores.(He sees ratings as divisive among growers.) His tiny Barolo production quickly disappears into collectors’ cellars in Euorpe. As Antonio Galloni reported, “Cappellano’s wines are impossibly hard to find, even in neighboring Alba.” And, consequently, he is virtually unknown except to hard-core Barolo enthusiasts. The wines are classic “old-style” Barolo and Barbera, marked by a haunting scent of dried roses and a hint of truffle. Quantities extremely limited.

LA MARCHE --TENUTA COCCI GRIFONI (Italy's Adriatic coast) Lush, fruit-driven reds from the southern Marche

In the 50+ years they have committed to growing and bottling their own wine, the COCCI GRIFONIS have met many challenges and often chose to go against the mainstream, relying on their deeply felt convictions rather than prevailing trends. The strength and authenticity of the wines are firmly rooted in the Piceno soil and its heritage, as well as in their own vision and dedication. Today, the Cocci Grifoni estate totals 198 acres and boasts avant-garde production methods and technology. The new generations continue the founder’s commitment to consistent excellence and to expressing the soul of a unique terroir. Daughters Paola and Marilena are in charge of winemaking and marketing, respectively.

2003 TENUTA COCCI GRIFONI Rosso Piceno “Le Torri” $13.99  “Le Torri” is a blend of 60% Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese with a complex bouquet of raspberries and red cherries, smooth texture and a delightfully soft finish.

2003 TENUTA COCCI GRIFONI Rosso Piceno Superiore “Vigna Messieri” $25 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese blend from the top vineyard site; grapes are hand-picked with severe selection. Aged 14 months in Slovenian oak. Ripe, lush berry fruit can be enjoyed now or cellared for 5+ years.

White wine

2005 TENUTA COCCI GRIFONI Pecorino “Colle Vecchio” $25  Made from 100% Pecorino, an indigenous white grape in the Marche region. Aromas of tart apple and acacia flowers, intense fresh fruit flavors with spicy notes, refreshing acidity and beautiful finish.

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Enjoy!

Eric, Carolyn & Celine
VINTAGES-Adventures in Wine
53 Commonwealth Ave. West Concord, MA
978-369-2545
open Mon-Fri 10-8; Sat 10-7
info@vintagesonline.com
© 2007 Vintages - Adventures in Wine