I realize that to most of the wine world this may seem a funny time of the year for me to write an article on rosé, but that is precisely why I am doing it.  Rosé is perhaps my over all favorite style of wine, especially when it comes to food pairing.  I will say that in my short tenure in the wine world I have seen its reputation improve tenfold, but I still feel its pretty little horn needs more tooting.

                One of the most common misconceptions is that rosé is the sweet sticky slightly fizzy pink wine we have come to know as white zinfandel… and is that a rosé?… well technically yes, but it makes up only a very small percentage of the delicious sea of pink that is out there.  For what it is worth I cannot even fully knock white Zin, although I do not drink it, it is a fabulous “gateway wine” , and as a wine professional I would rather someone drink wine… any wine, than no wine at all.  It also incidentally makes a delicious dressing for mixed melon salad.

Now that we have gotten that out of the way, let’s discuss my love affair. Rosé is perhaps one of the most versatile and sometimes even the most revered wines on the planet. It always baffles me that when I observe people perusing the 1,000 wine list I work with, they will with out a doubt play twenty questions with any still rosé I point them to, even if I assure them it is dry and a really fun refreshing way to explore their favorite red grapes and regions in a whole new and refreshing, and substantially more cost-effective way.  And yet few give a second thought before ordering it’s only “respected” incarnation… and the only version that is on all wine lists year round, that being its sparking form. The most respected would obviously be Champagne (my favorite is Runiart rosé), however Cremant, Cava, and even Prosseco rosés command much respect in this market. And although I do love love love all of these, and I am sure it is no mystery that sparkling wine goes with ANYTHING!!!!!! that is not the horn I feel the need to toot.

I am here to speak for all of the unsung still heroes out there. I believe in this so much that I am only serving rosé at my wedding in July. Granted July is the perfect time for rosé, especially if you are having a beach wedding in Florida.  But rosé is much more than a summer time treat, it is a perfect year round. I live in Chicago, which means that it is cold 75% of the year (although this year is keeping us on our toes) and I find most people who live north of the Mason Dixon line, drink seasonally. This means crisp whites, rosés, and light reds in the summer, and big reds, full bodied whites and fortifieds in the winter… and I say who ever wrote these rules did not take many MANY conditions in to consideration. I will grant that as far as food pairing goes, the white and red rules kind of make sense due to seasonal cuisine (with MANY exceptions). But rosé goes great with everything! Personally, I am a very hot blooded mammal who after a day of walking around in at least two layers, and then cozying in anywhere that is not my house ( as I realize with that modern invention of AC you can make it 65-70 all year long) it is usually 80 degrees and dry thanks to blasting  heaters and that makes me very very thirsty!!!! So these conditions mixed with big comforting winter food, i.e.: pot-roast, roasted veggies, and steaks, means that a full bodied rosé is the most logical match.

Some of the best regions, grapes, and flavor profiles for still rosé are as follows:

Spain- Tempranillo or Grenache- Full, round, and fruity, with a deep magenta hue, and a velvety finish

France (Rhone, Province, or Languedoc)- Grenache, Syrah, Morvedra, and Pinot Noir – Light to medium-bodied with racy minerality, and a healthy back bone of acidity. Best coloration would be pink to salmon.

Italy- Sangiovese, Montepulciano & Nebbiolo- Medium bodied with herbal notes, and a tart cherry zing, with  an electric pink hue

Washington- Cabernet Franc- Big luscious and velvety, with a watermelon finish.

Some of my Favorite Winter Rosés about the Town

Eno Wine Room in the Intercontinental:

Dusted Valley Ramblin’ Rose, Stoney Vine Vineyard, Walla Walla (Cab Franc) $33

Bonus: If you stop in most days you can hang out with me. And if you take a bottle to go you can receive 30% off

Quartino:                    

Antica Osteria Dry Rose, Montepulciano,  Marche $20

Bonus: You can get a glass for $5 and a bottle for $20, and it goes wonderfully with their veil veal skirt steak!

On June 17^th 2011 I had the privilege of attending Wine Enthusiast’s Toast of the Town, at Chicago’s famous Field Museum. This was an interesting and fun experience for me on many levels. I did not realize until I arrived how long it has been since I attended a wine even that was not an “industry event.” By that I mean no one was stressed out, making sales deals, texting their coworkers and networking. Well maybe a little networking was happening, but the fun kind. It was refreshing to be amidst a group of people who all gathered for no other reason than their love of wine. I felt like an actress planted incognito in her audience while they enjoyed a performance of her. What fun!

The Scene: Walking in to the grand hall of the Field Museum you were greeted by a warm and informative staff, and handed the stem of the even Spiegelau, as you gazed upon a gigantic beluga whale installation that hovered above. My tasty journey was underscored by the mellow jazzy tunes of Joey Edwin. It stayed mellow, upbeat and inviting all evening. I am also a huge natural history fan so I found it extra exciting to sip next to the full skeleton of a T-Rex.

What fun!

The Vino: This event had a wide range of goods from US favorites such as Charles Krug, Napa Cellars, Bennett Lane, Hall, The Hess Collection, and Chateau St Jean, to some exciting international vendors such as Yalumba of Australia, Mezzacorona of Italy, Austrian Wine of…. You guessed it, Austria, Lapostolle of Chile, Nestor Imports of Greece (this is becoming a thing in America) and my favorite, Herdade Do Esporao of Portugal. There was also a nice showing of bubbles throughout the floor and a healthy sampling of beers from Allagash, Samuel Adams, and Unibroue, and even mixed drinks and fancy teas. There was truly something for everyone. Looking at this selection from a consumer’s point of view, and how it lines up with a Wine Enthusiast event I thought it was very smart. Although there were some gems offered, almost all of the libations presented are easy to acquire in the Chicago market for the home consumer. How perfect! If you fall in love with a wine that evening you can easily go out and get it, take it home and enjoy it, while reading a review on it, and playing with all the wonderful toys that the Wine Enthusiast has to offer.

The Eats: I am not sure if the whale was the inspiration but sea food was definitely the star of the offerings. There were flavor packed bites offered by 30 of Chicago’s very notable restaurants and thirteen of them were seafood focused. This was a change for me from the usual “Pig” dominated menus I am used to in this city. Even the “Purple Pig” offered a beet and goat cheese salad instead of a divine swine bite. There was however one piggy dish that stood out and pleased the palate, the bourbon braised pork belly w/ peach jicama slaw from South Water Kitchen. My favorite fish dish was the Yellow Tail Tiradito w/ Jalapeno and Lemon-grass offered by Sushi Samba. It paired perfectly with Herdade du Esparao Monte Velho White 2009. Other exciting tables were Aria, Provence, Old town Social, Sixteen, IPO, Grahamwich, Bistronomic, and Coco Pazzo just to name a few. My only regret was not hitting the lounges and tasting stations on the second level sooner. There were some treats I was looking forward to enjoying, but alas they had run out by the time I got there. My sadness was quenched by a zippy glass of Schramsburg rose however.

South Water Kitchen                                                   SushiSamba

The Perks: If their bites were not enough to satiate your appetite the coupons the vendors were offering sure were. I have enough savings now, to have a fun, yummy and inexpensive summer. There was also a very nice swag bag with more coupons, the latest issue of the Wine Enthusiast, and the Wine Enthusiast gift guide. Other perks were the VIP option sponsored by the Wine Enthusiast and the Wall Street Journal. If you elected this option you got to lounge in the VIP area set up by The Wall Street Journal. It was a nice exclusive area with ample seating and tables, and a chance to taste some pretty yummy estate bottles. You also got to enter almost an hour before the general public, so that alone makes it a worthy option. And sipping prosecco next to Vince Vaughn was pretty great as well.

The Sum Up: This was a great way to kick off the summer for Chicago’s wine lovers. I highly recommend checking out other Wine Enthusiast events. As for next year, the only things I wish would be added are pairing classes in the “lounge and learn” areas. I know some people are there just for fun, however there are enough people who have a genuine passion for wine knowledge that would greatly benefit from a station of fun filled guidance. This would keep you from drinking one of Krug Estates massive Cab’s with a light delicate Yellow tail dish. And what cooler place to take a mini wine class, then The Field museum? I have on good authority that there are more than a few enthusiastic wine educators roaming this great city of ours. But all in all I will say that the Wine Enthusiast toasted our wine loving city just right. So to you Wine Enthusiast…..

I say CHEERS!

This is one area with two heads. Alto Adige is is the northern most part of Trentino- Alto Adige. In fact, until 1919 it was part of Austria’s Tyrol, which is why it is sometimes referred to as South Tyrol or Sudtriol. The area is still predominately German-speaking, and still very German in their wine making and way of life.

This is a viticultural mountain region with the Adige river cutting through it on the way to the Adriatic sea. Vine growing is only possible on river valleys, and in a “Y” shaped growing area called Bolzano, and even then grape growers are in hot competition with apple growers for the land. Only recently have grape growers had the upper hand. The best vineyards, as usual, are on the hills between 600-800m. In recent years there has been much replanting with a focus on quality, and many producers have finally been switching from the traditional pergola training system to, guyot, which has resulted in lesser yields with more intense fruit. Surprisingly a whopping 60% of the wine production from this area is classified as DOC wine. Viticulture is dominated by Co-Ops, to the area’s benefit, as this is one of the few areas where the Co-Ops operate to the benefit of the wine consumer, the grape grower, and the wine maker. They are run with top notch production and managerial ethics.

As far as grapes in this region they focus mostly on Schiva, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, & Pinot Grigio on the white end and Lagrein, and Pinot Nero on the red end. Schiva has historically been the grape of this region but it now has fierce competition with its white brethren. There is also a very small DOC zone of Valle Isarco that focus on the more aromatic whites of Silvaner, Muller-Thurgau, and Gewurztraminer (Supposedly native to the town of Traminer here).

Alto Adige, and Trentino are similar in that they have a variety of geographically specific DOC zones together with one general DOC. In Trentino the DOC system consists of one large regional DOC, filled with a variety of variatial specific wines, together with five less geographically specific sub-zones.

Trentino is the southern and principally Italian speaking half of this Northern Alpine growing region. It is also the regional capital. Viticulture is also centered around the valley of the Adige, with a few side valley excursions such as the Valle die Laghi, Val di Cembra. Although the region is pretty far north it is surprisingly warm due to the build up heat in the bottom of the mountains in the summer months. Here the DOC wine trumps Alto Adige at 70%.

As for grapes Trentino mirrors Alto Adige in varietals, while also bringing Merlot, and Lambrusco to the mix. Unquestionably the most important DOC wines of Trentino are 17 varitally labeled wines of crowned on the white end with: Chardonnay first, then Pinot Grigio, Muller-Thurgau, and Pinot Blanc. For reds we see Cabernet, Merlot, Marzemino, Lagrien, and Pinot Noir (Nero).

Yields from the predominately tendon vineyards are too generous to make super-high quality wines, but their major pitfall is being market driven, and trying to make what the “everybody’s drinking” as opposed to what the land is suited to grow. This is slowly changing as Alto Adige has gained praise for its push towards quality in all aspects from the mid-1980′s to now.

This Week’s Wine

Alois Lageder, “Krafuss”, Pinot Noir, Sudtirol, Alto Adige 2005

From: Perman Wine Selections
802 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 666-4417

Cost: Between $35-$45

Wine Maker’s History & Notes

Alois Lagader

History

The most noble grape varieties grown in the best vineyard sites will never produce great wines without the efforts of human beings who recognize their potential, who give them the care and protection they need, and who are able to harvest them with acumen and expertise. At the Alois Lageder wineries, owned and managed by the Lageder family for five generations, this element of human commitment has both a past and a future. We introduce you here to a few of the personalities who in the course of almost 200 years have shaped the character of our wines.

Our story, like so many of those in Alto Adige, has its beginnings in a high, alpine valley. Early in the nineteenth century, a young man from the Himmelreichhof farm –near the village of Albions, at the beginning of the Val Gardena, tied his belongings up into a bundle. The time had come for Johann Lageder to bid farewell to the family farm: he was ready for the path that would take him down into the city of Bolzano, where he intended to stand on his own two feet. He found employment with a wheelwright. Johann possessed both expert craftsmanship and an entrepreneurial spirit, and in 1823 he was able to acquire the workshop. At the same time he also began to deal in wine. In 1855, his two sons divided his worldly belongings between them. The elder son took over the wheelwright shop; the younger son, Alois Johann, inherited the wine trade. He also inherited his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and intended to expand the business, with the purchase of his first vineyard and he began to cellar wines made from the fruit grown on his own properties, as well as from grapes purchased from other growers in the area.

Alois Johann’s eldest son, Alois II, shared his passion for wine and was soon able to purchase other vineyards for the family, in the area of Santa Magdalena, in the northern Bolzano hills. Santa Magdalena was one of the two wines in which he specialized; the other was Lagrein, also from vineyards in the Bolzano area. Alois II was one of the first winemakers to recognize and insist on the importance of site and terroir. He was soundly acquainted with the various microclimates on the slopes surrounding Bolzano and had a keen ability to preserve and underline the subtle differences between them.

This precocious specialist knowledge was once again followed by an heir with an entrepreneurial mind and spirit, Alois III, who thought in even more global terms. He saw the indigenous varietals of Alto Adige to be one of the region’s strengths, and in addition to working with local varieties such as schiava (Vernatsch) and Lagrein, he strove to expand his portfolio. In 1934, he purchased the manor house and vineyards of the Löwengang estate in the village of Magrè, at the southernmost tip of Alto Adige. Here he found what he was looking for: excellent exposures not only for white-wine vineyards, but also for robust red wines such as Cabernet, Sauvignon and Merlot. Deciding that the transport of the delicate fruit harvested took too long by ox cart to Bolzano, he founded a winemaking facility and cellars at the Löwengang estate in Magrè as well as in other wine-producing villages. Before long farmers in the surrounding areas were also supplying him with their grapes. The winery became well established, but Alois’ sudden death in 1963 resulted in a series of sweeping changes.

His designated heir and only son Alois IV was the youngest of six children, and only twelve years old. The challenging task of guiding the winery through the difficult next few years was thus to fall to two powerful and enterprising women: Christiane Rössler, his widow, and his eldest daughter Wendelgard, who at the time was only twenty-one years old. In addition to helping to guide the firm she also became the winery’s public face and representative, no easy task for a young woman suddenly thrust into the center of a business and field dominated by men. She was not, however, someone easily discouraged, and she managed, with the support of the family and especially of her mother, to successfully steer the business along its future course. In 1969 she married the winery’s cellar master Luis von Delleman, who, though young himself had already acquired a wealth of experience in numerous wine-growing regions in Europe. He assumed responsibility for cellar operations, a position he continues to hold today. He soon became well-known as an extraordinary white-wine specialist. The Italian market showed great demand for the fresh, fruity wines of its northernmost region, but most of the wines were still sold in bulk. It wasn’t until the start of the 1970s that the company began more and more to bottle its own wines, and to market them under its own Alois Lageder-label.

The Lageder-family winery was experiencing a difficult time when the current Alois Lageder, after studies in economics and viticulture, assumed leadership of the firm at only twenty-five years old. The image of Alto Adigewines had suffered greatly as a result of years of perception as products for mass consumption. With the support of his sister Wendelgard and of his bother-in-law and cellar master Luis von Dellemann, Alois Lageder undertook the task of repositioning the winery. He was convinced that the region in which he was born had great unexploited potential, and he firmly set a course that aimed strictly for quality. He purchased additional vineyard properties and made use of innovative methods both in the vineyards and in the cellars. He began to trellis his vines on wires, and also reduced their yield.

Inspired by meeting the legendary California vintner Robert Mondavi in 1981, Alois experimented also with the maturation of wines in small oak barrels. Wines such as his red Cor Römigberg Cabernet Sauvignon and his white Löwengang Chardonnay created a whole new style and quality standard on the Alto Adige wine scene. In 1991 Alois purchased the Hirschprunn estate, a renaissance mansion in Magrè with over thirty hectares of vineyards around the village. In 1995 he constructed a high-tech winemaking facility and cellar complex in Magrè, which soon proved to be the precursor of a veritable boom in modern architectural structures at wineries both in Italy and abroad. Since the beginning of the 1990s, he has also blazed a trail of his own in viticulture: today, all of his over fifty hectares of vineyards adheres to the principles of Biodynamic agriculture.

The name Alois Lageder thus stands today no less for tradition than for innovation. In the spirit of a holistic corporate philosophy, Alois IV has also created a permanent place for contemporary art and music at his winery, an innovative move in which he has the support of his wife, the dance-theater choreographer Veronka Riz, and of their three children. His commitments have also extended to spheres beyond his wineries: for over ten years, he was the president of Bolzano’s Museion, Museum for Contemporary Art, and the driving force behind the construction of its new extension, which opened in 2008. At the beginning of 2009, he was elected to serve as the president of Bolzano’s Ecological Institute.
Ideals:

For the creation of extraordinary wines, one also needs something more than healthy, fully-ripened grapes from the best vineyard sites. There is also a need for the right philosophy and for true human commitment. One of our primary goals is to pay attention to the natural properties of our vineyards and to make the best possible use of them. Every location has its own particular merits and characteristics; for every variety of grape, there are particular conditions in which it prefers to grow. We see it as our task to create ideal synergies, supporting nature’s work, thereby taking on the role of “midwives” who facilitate the birth of wines of great elegance, clarity, body, strength, and authenticity.

Biodynamic viticulture emphasizes the specific character of every individual locale and enhances the quality of its wines. Our wines are deeply connected to the landscapes in which they are born. Located between the north and the south, the cool air of the Alps and the warm sun of Mediterranean, the Alto Adige region possesses an enormous wealth of heterogeneous sites, soils, exposures and microclimates. The region has been so generously blessed by nature that it stands out as a template for the production of highly individual wines marked by very distinctive terroir. In order to bring such authentic character to its fullest possible expression, in our vineyards we use the wealth of knowledge about the rhythms and cycles of nature that local farmers have accumulated over centuries. The varying climate and soil conditions of Alto Adige make it especially important to find the most suitable variety of grape for every particular site: at Alois Lageder we have been meeting this challenge for over a hundred and fifty years, and this is the distinguishing feature of our wines.

Our use of modern cellar technology restricts itself to the supportive role of making wines that express the qualities of the grapes from which they are made, which have been grown in harmony with nature. Constantly interacting with these various influences, we constantly pursue the goal of producing wines that reflect our commitment to sustainable procedures in the cellars no less than in the vineyards. Every glass of the wines we produce must tell a story: stories of the vineyard site that grew their grapes, and of the human beings who were their caretakers. Wines that developed in close accord with the natural forces and conditions around them, and which are therefore marked by exceptional elegance, balance, complexity and harmony.

The grapes from the over fifty hectares of vineyards which belong to the Alois Lageder winery are used for the wines of the Tenutæ Lageder assortment. These wines are distinguished by their origin from vineyards that are biodynamically farmed, by the delicate treatment they receive in the cellars, and also, only in selected cases, by maturation in high-quality barriques. This is the path, in close collaboration with nature, which leads to wines of the highest quality. They are flanked by the Alois Lageder assortment: single-varietal wines that are typical of the Alto Adige region and which meet our high quality standards. These wines are made from grapes coming from the best vineyards of quality-conscious growers, some of whom we have worked with for decades. These collaborations are governed by specific cultivation criteria and the ongoing sharing of experiences and information, as well as by mutual respect, all of which contribute to excellent levels of synergy between grapegrower and winemaker.

All of our wines have one thing in common: they stand for the ambition to work in harmony with nature and for knowledge derived from tradition, as well for an open view and courage of innovation. The pleasure of enjoying fine wine always remains the first priority. Alois Lageder aptly remarks, “Our goal does not lie in the production of striking, imposing wines that make a big show of themselves in tastings. Our aim is to offer wines that are more essential and more highly differentiated; wines of which one happily drinks a second glass, and which harmonize with and enhance the enjoyment of a fine meal.”

Vinification

Krafuss Pinot Noir 2005

Viticultural Practices: This wine is made from certified organic grapes from vineyards that are farmed according to biodynamic methods of viticulture (Demeter certification).

Grape variety: Pinot Noir.

Description: medium intense ruby color with a garnet shimmer. Still somewhat closed, clean uplifted varietal aroma: impressions of red berry fruit, cherries along with oak spice (white pepper, cinnamon). Quite pronounced flavor, medium-bodied. Fresh finish with good length and a presence of spicy tannin. Elegant style.

Origin: Krafuss estate vineyard near the village of Appiano-Montagna at an altitude of 1650 ft facing southeast. Loamy, chalky soil (glacial deposit). Cool mesoclimate. The vineyard was planted in 1991 with selected Pinot Noir clones at high density in a wire-trellis system.

Viticultural Practices: this wine is made from certified organic grapes from vineyards that are farmed according to biodynamic methods of viticulture (Demeter certification).

Harvested: 15-16 September 2005.

Yield: 40 hl / ha.

Vinification: fermentation and extended maceration for 18 days in stainless steel tanks. Maturation for 12 months in barriques (Nevers, Alliers and Vosges, 1/3 new).

Alcohol: 13.5% by vol.

Acidity: 4.8 g / litre.

Production: 13,300 bottles.

My Notes

• Appearance: 
 Clear, Transparent, and Shiny
  • Core: Ruby
  • Rim: Salmon
• Nose:
 Healthy
 Medium Aromatics of: Black cherries, cinnamon toast, plum skin, cedar, and bacon.
• Pallet:
  • Acid: Medium
  • Tannin: Medium
  • Body: Medium
  • Texture: Wet Jersey Cotton
  • Finish: Lingering acid, smoke, and tart cherry
  • Flavors: round light notes of cherry compote, pork-belly, and toast. Great on its own or with light fatty dishes.
• Conclusion: This is one of the best examples of Italian Pinot Noir I have ever had.

I am pairing it with: Smoked ham & Brie… a great afternoon treat!

This is the wine region that takes up most of the norther edge of Italy. It is just east of Piedmonte, and it is one of the largest and most populated ares in Italy, which is great for their economy, but not always so great for wine making.

Historically this area was behind the century’s post-WWII economic boom. It is this era that made Milan the lab of luxury that it is today. Incidentally Milan is in Lombardy. Due to it’s world-famous cities it is shocking that agriculture is an important industry in this region, however it actually produces more grapes annually then famous places such as Umbria, Fruili, and Marches. However a lot of the grapes are used for plunk wine, and most of the quality wine is consumed by the inhabitants and tourists of famous cities such as Milan.

From an international wine perspective Lombardy is not famous for any “key” region, or “key” grape due to its crippling size. In fact, it has no indigenous grapes of note. It does how ever make some great wines out of grapes such as: Schiva, Barbara, Trebiano, Cortese, and Marzemino, as well as international varietals such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero), Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

One of the most famous DOCs is Franciaorta, which makes some of Italy’s finest sparklers, however we will not touch on that today, we will save that for a segment on Sparkling Wines of Italy. Another notable DOC’s are Oltrepo Pavese (which we are tasting today) in the south west corner of Lombardy. It is a versatile DOC offering styles ranging from “rustic”, to frothy, Burgundian-esque reds based in Pinot Nero, and Cabernet Sauvignon, to a rainbow of whites still and dry to sparkling based in riesling, Cortese, Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Nero, all vinified in “bianco”. They also make some lovely dessert wines based in Malvasia, and Moscato. All though most of Oltrepo’s wine is of great reputation, it is all so the closest DOC to Milan and the majority of its wine never travels further then this city.

Other DOC’s of Lombardy with even harder to find wine are, Cellatica, Capriano Del Colle, Rivera del Garda Bresciano, San Martino della Battaglia, Colli Morenici Mantovani del Garda, and the catch all DOC Garda.

Upon reserching this area and trying to find still wines to focus on for this show, I have determined that Lombardy is one of the Italian “white wales” of the Chicago market if not the USA. So here is my challenge to you WineSoakeders…. try and find some, and if you do share your experience in the comments section of this show!

This Week’s Wine

Vercesi del Castellazzo, “Gugiarolo”, Pinot Nero Binaco, Oltrepo Pavese 2009

From: Perman Wine Selections
802 W. Washington Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 666-4417

Cost: Between $20-$25

Wine Maker’s History & Notes

Vercesi Del Castellazzo

History: The Vercesi del Castellazzo estate is located 30 miles south of Milan – in Lombardy- in the heart of Oltrepo’ Pavese on the hills overhanging the city of Stradella, south of the Po River.

The winery was founded in 1808 when the great-grand father of the present owner(Dr. Franco Vercesi) bought the “Castellazzo”; until Napoleon’s army took it, it was a monastary of Barnabite order built over the ruins of a Beccaria family castle.

The estate consists of about 60 acres of hilly land of which 50 are planted with vines, the others include forest and cultivated fields. The location is considered among the best in the area. The acres planted to vine are divided among the following grape varietals: Barbera, Bonarda (Croatina), Pinot Nero, Vespolina, Uva Rara and Cabernet Sauvignon, as laid down in the local regulations of the DOC Oltrepo’ Pavese. Experienced care goes side by side with the most advanced cultivation techniques at all stages in the production cycle, from harvesting to the wine-making itself which takes place in stainless steel vats at carefully controlled fermentation temperatures. The wines then go through different aging periods, the resultant wines are well structured and full bodied with refined quality characteristics in the best tradition of the wines of this region.

Vinification

Pinot Nero Bianco “Gugiarolo”

Gugiarolo is a wine produced by the white vinification of the Pinot Nero grape belonging to the omonimous vineyards which have been owned by Vercesi del Castellazzo since the 16th century. The place name, of Longobard origin, was often noted in the archives of the Barnabite monks for “la buona esposizione a meridione e la naturale protezione dai venti del levante” the good south-facing position and natural protection from the wild east winds. Today, with the necessary agronomical care, the Vercesis have obtained grapes that give a full-bodied, important wine with an intense perfume that can be drunk at its best even after a few years. The vintage, made with the grape selection, starts only when the balance between acidity, PH and sugar is at its optimum: this is the result of careful analysis of samples taken well before the harvest. The grapes, transported in wooden boxes to the cellar, are gently pressed. The must, obtained after a light clarification, starts to ferment with autochthonous yeasts at a controlled temperature.

My Notes

• Appearance: 
 Clear, Transparent, and Shiny
  • Core: Very Light Straw
  • Rim: Clear
• Nose:
 Healthy
 Medium Aromatics of: Lemon, melon rind, cucumber, and under ripe green mango.
• Palate:
  • Acid: Medium
  • Tannin: N/A
  • Body: Medium
  • Texture: Silky
  • Finish: Lingering acid
  • Flavors: Cucumber, Honeydue, Savory green veggies

Conclusion

This is a nice light complex white wine. It starts tricking you into thinking it is a super light lemony wine, and then follows up with a second much more full bodied wave of savory. I vote great food wine.

I am pairing it with: Italian sausage, green pepper, garlic & onion, butter-crust pizza.

Does it work? …. YES IT DOES!

This wine region in in North West Italy, or as I like to call it, “The Thigh” of the boot.

Piedmont literally means, “at the foot of the Mountains”. The Mountains we are talking about here are the Alps. To put the region in perspective, in “non-wine” land marks, the principal city of this area is Turin.

This area has a very interesting history  that sets it apart from the rest of Italy. From the former Kingdom of Savoy it was one of the driving areas in the 19th century behind the Italian reunification, as well as the start of the Italian industrial revolution. On the flip side however due to its isolated geo-graphical location it was protected during the Habsburg, Bourbon, and papal control which dominated Italian life from the mid 1500′s to the mid 1800′s. One of the most influential areas to Piemonte from the 1500′s to present day is France. There ideas in government, philosophy and winemaking have permeated the life of the Piedmontees, which have many times over brought them fortune while most of the rest of the country was in financial distress.

There are many grapes grown in Piemonte, notably, Barbera, Moscato, Dolcetto, Cortese, Gavi, Arnies, and Favorite, as well as all of the major international varietals of Chard, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Sauvignon Blanc, and Cab Sav. But hands down without question the main grape of this region is Nebbiolo!!! This is the grape that I focusing on in this segment. Nebbiolo is  grown in a few notable regions. Langhe is an Umbrella region for which the world famous DOCG’s of Barolo, and Barbaresco live. These two DOCG’s produce some of the worlds finest, if not most famous Nebbiolos’, however there are still great Neb’s at much more modest prices produced in the greater Langhe DOC. There are other great Nebbiolo DOC’s such as Gattinara. But for the purposes of what is easy to find in the USA, and what is easy to purchase on a modest income, which is always my focus,  you need to remember Langhe, Barolo, and Barbaresco.

In this segment we are going to be tasting:

Gavarini, Nebbiolo from Langhe 2008, by Elio Grasso.

I chose this wine because it illustrates two points I find important to understand about Piedmont.

1. Elio Grasso has maintained the dimensions of a small producer, being equipped with state of the art technology in their winery. I feel that seamlessly blend two sides of an on going argument with Nebbiolo. That of the Traditionalists, who prefer earthy rustic Nebbiolos, and the modernists, who have gone the rooty-tooty-fresh & and fruity route. I feel this winery blends traditional tastes, with modern technology which makes for a cleaner product.
2. This wine is from Langhe, and goes for around $25 oppose to it’s Borolo Brothers who can get up to $500′s

Here are the Winery’s Notes on this Wine:

• Municipality of production: Monforte d’Alba
• Grape: Nebbiolo
• First vintage: 1987
• Number of bottles produced each year: 6,500
• Vineyard area under vine: 1.2 hectares
• Aspect and height above sea level: south-facing, 350-380 metres
• Soil type: moderately loose-packed, limestone-based
• Vine training system and planting density: Guyot-trained at 4,500 vines per hectare.
• Average age of productive vines: 15 years
• Grape yield per hectare at harvest: 60 quintals
• Harvest period and method: first 10 days of October, manual harvest. The vinification procedure for Langhe Nebbiolo involves fermentation for 7-8 days in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, with daily pumping over. After malolactic fermentation, the wine stays in stainless steel until bottling in April-May. We recommend you drink this wine in the first 3-4 years after the vintage.

Here are my notes:

• Appearance: Clear, Transparent, and Shiny
  • Core: Ruby
  • Rim: Salmon
• Nose: Healthy
• Medium Aromatics of: Violets, cedar, raspberries, coco powder, and black peppercorns
• Pallet:
  • Acid: Medium +
  • Tannin: Medium -
  • Body:  Medium -
  • Texture: Wet Swede
• Finish: Medium
• Flavors: Tart cherry, cedar, almonds, Bert’s Bees tomato face wash
• Conclusion: This is a nice light complex wine…. that is still a lightly tight and tart. I feel like it is a freshman in high-school, and although it is fun to have over for dinner now, it will be much more enjoyable in college.

Meal I made to go with it:

• Starter: Robiola Bosina, with fresh figs, & pears.
• Main Course: Nebbiolo Beef Stew over a Cauliflower Mash
• Dessert: Almond & Olive oil crumb cake with a fig/blueberry compote.

Chicago Sommelier Sara Kay shows off some little-known, delicious, and very affordable wines to see you through to the springtime.

1. La Levraudiere, Muscadet Sevre & Maine. Loire Valley, France
   • This wine has a touch of apricots and a hint of honey with fine crisp acidity. It is fuller in front than normal years because 2008 vintage produced only 30% of the normal crop. (That means it is more complex.) It is long in the mouth with minerals on the farewell.
   • Cost: $13.99
2. Parrillada Classic, Torrontes. Mendoza, Argentina
   • It has the richness of a Chardonnay, the vibrancy of a Sauvignon Blanc and the lovely floral expressiveness of a Viognier– all in one sip! The generous aromas and flavors of this gorgeous white make it an extremely food-friendly wine. It’s especially good with grilled seafood.
   • Cost: $13.99
3. Alandra, Tinto. Portugal
   • The color in the glass is a deep ruby red, with aromas of cherries, and other dark red fruit flavors, and a hint of dried red fruit. On the palate the fruit flavors are present, with a good balance, soft and silky tannins, and just the right amount of acidity. For the price this is a very quaffable wine that can be enjoyed on its own. I paired this wine with a Mediterranean stuffed leg of lamb, which was fantastic.
   • Cost: $13.99
4. Flano, Nero D’Avola. Sicilia, Italy.
   • The nose is kissed with ripened fruits, black pepper and spicy green. It is fallowed with a soft velvety texture of ripened plums and black berries, black currents and Indian spices with earth tones of chocolate and peppery finish. Soft and fruity.
   • Cost: $13.99

Each month Sara Kay chooses a selection of wines for her wine club members at the WineStyles in Chicago’s South Loop. Since everyone has different tastes, she chooses two sweet wines, two dry white wines, and two dry red wines for her wine club members to choose from. In this episode, we’ll taste the monthly wine club picks for January 2010!

1. Red #1: Casa de la Vega, Tempranillo. (La Mancha, Spain).
   • This is a fruit driven Tempranillo with minimal oak aging. It is ample and mild, with fresh and ripe fruit notes (of blackberry and cherry) with a bit of vanilla, coconut, mint and laurel. It is much easier access then its Rioja cousin.
   • Cost: $24.99
2. White #1: Water Color, Chardonnay. (Languedoc, Franc).
   • Bright gold‐yellow color with straw yellow tints. A very elegant nose with a quintessence of pineapple, hazelnuts, lime blossoms and quince aromas with vanilla and toasted bread notes. A rich and mellow palate with very good acidity and a long persistent finish with pineapple notes.
   • Cost: $24.99
3. Red #2: Twisted Oak: *%#&@. (Paso Robles, California).
   • This is a charming blend of 50% Mourvedre  28% Syrah 22% Grenache. Bright, deep ruby red color. Wildly aromatic with scents of tarragon, lavender and allspice accenting the core of ultra-ripe berries. Rich and ripe on the palate with flavors of blueberry and raspberry supported by complimentary notes of earth and brown spice.
   • Cost: $24.99
4. White #2: The White Mullet. (Clare Valley, Australia).
   • An intriguing blend of 60% Riesling, 16% Viognier, 16% Sauvignon Blanc, and 8% Chenin Blanc. Made with no oak, it is an unpretentious and zesty white perfect for everyday drinking.
   • Cost: $22.99
5. Sweet #1: Ca’Dei Mandori, Brachetto D’ Acqui. (Italy).
   • This sweet bubbly is purplish-red color. It seduces you with the aroma of roses, and cherries; a pleasant sparkle and a tasty, inviting finish. This is best pared with chocolate cake.
   • Cost: $22.99
6. Sweet #2: Colli Piacenti, Malvasia. (Italy)
   • This sweet wine reveals clean, elegant aromas of dried apricot, candied fruit, caramel, peach jam, and a hint of vanilla. The mouth has good correspondence to the nose, a round and sweet attack which is continuously perceivable, intense flavors. The finish is persistent with flavors of caramel, apricot and peach jam.
   • Cost: $24.99

In this chilly winter episode, we’ll taste some unconventionally crisp and refreshing winter wines, and some more conventional deep warming ones too. Also, look out for sweet wines!

1. Adega Coop, Ponte Barca (Vinho Verde). Portugal.
   • This is a crisp refreshing White, with lively notes of lemon lime, and honeydew melon, with a touch of natural effervescence. It is perfect to have before a meal.
   • Cost: $13.99
2. Seven Sisters: Yolanda (Chenin Blanc). South Africa.
   • This Chenin Blanc is full of upfront tropical flavors with underlying green pepper and vegetative notes. Acid is clean and fresh on palate with lingering fruity aftertaste.
   • Cost: $16.99
3. Robertson, Gewurztraminer. South Africa.
   • A sweet full bodied South African white chocked full of intense tropical notes of pineapple, banana leaf and fresh honey. It is a perfect match for spicy food.
   • Cost: $13.99
4. Le Mourre De L’isle, Côtes du Rhône. France.
   • This is a blend of 60% Grenache Noir, 40% Mourvèdre with aromas of blueberry on the nose and smooth tannins in the mouth with sweet little red berry fruits and coffee hints in the finish.
   • Cost: $18.99
5. Koyle, Cabernet Sauvignon. Miapo Valley, Chile.
   • Koyle Cabernet Sauvignon is dark ruby, with a nose showing a great amount of blackberry, dark chocolate, cedar, tobacco, and coffee and spice notes typical of the Maipo Valley. Tannins are well-formed, and come together beautifully, with a silky and balanced finish.
   • Cost: $22.99
6. Sweet Baby, Cagnina di Romagna. Italy.
   • This is a sweet, grapey red, with hints of ripe fruits, and lots of berries, it is smooth, silky and devilishly sweet. It is a great match with dark chocolate cake, and fairs well with a little chill on it.
   • Cost: $16.99

This week at WineStyles SOLO we have all of these wines open to try by the glass as well, so if you’re in Chicago come in and see us!

I would also like to cordually invite all of our Chicago friends to the following event:

Sara Kay’s 1st Annual WINE BEE!
Sara Kay’s Wine School Scholarship Fundraiser!

When: Friday! January 15th 2010 from 6:00-8:00 (Stay from 8-10 for live music by KT)
Where: WineStyles SOLO 1240 S Michigan Ave, Chicago IL (312)431-9999
What: A super fun Wine Trivia Game, where you could WIN up to 25 tastes of Wine! (That is 5 glasses) If you get all 25 correct you can enter the blind tasting lightning round for a SUPER cool secret prize!!! This is a Trivia game where you may know all the answers! This is great fun, great wine & a great cause! Remember the more Sara Kay knows about Wine… we all win!
How to Enter: Cost is $25 per person (All proceeds go to help Sara Kay’s Scholarship Fund for Her Diploma-Level Sommelier Classes from the International Sommelier Guild). Entrance fee must be paid in cash. Please RSVP ahead of time, so we have enough supplies!

If you can’t make it and still want to help the cause then either stop into the store before January 15th, or just hit the donate button now!

In this bubbalicious bubbly tasting, we’ll look at 6 off-the-beaten-path sparkling wines to spice up your New Year festivities!

1. Finca El Retiro, Extra Brut (Chardonnay & Pinot Noir). Mendoza, Argentina.
   • Love it!
   • Cost: $13.99
2. Castillo Perelada, Brut Cava. Spain.
   • AWESOME nutty, citrusy, bready heaven
   • Cost: $15.99
3. Antonin Tuffer, Blanc de Blanc (Chardonnay). France.
   • Large Party Worthy… buy for cost, not quality
   • Cost: $11.99
4. Luis Pato, Maria Gomes, Portugal
   • Fun, rare, more for food then celebration
   • Cost: $19.99
5. Luis Pato, Baga. Portugal.
   • Jammy, dry and wonderful
   • Cost:$19.99
6. Michel Loriot Cuvee, Brut Champagne Rose. Champagne, France.
   • A perfectly elegant dry Champagne Rose
   • Cost: $46.99

Remember that each of these wines, and all of the rest of the wines you see on WineSoaked, are available through my Chicago wine store, WineStyles South Loop.

To order, call (312)431-9999 or email me at SaraKay@winesoaked.com. Note that if you need me to ship, standard shipping and handling will apply!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This week we celebrate the transitory nature of life by sampling the year’s freshest and most fleeting wines! Every November France’s Beaujolais appelation releases a new crop of fresh, young wines out into the wild. Sara Kay explains the Beaujolais Nouveau tradition and reviews three of the newly released 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau offerings:

• Louis Téte 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau – $15.99
• Georges Dubæuf 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau – $8.99
• Mommessin 2009 Beaujolais Nouveau – $14.99