The Inspired Wine Club, August 2009: Hot Italian Nights

August 6, 2009 by Ivy Kupec
Filed under Inspired Posts, Monthly newsletter, News Release

“Peccato gravissimo ē quello di stare senza vino e senza amante.”

Translation: “It is a grave mistake to live without wine and a lover.”

~ Giuseppe Lonardi, winemaker

It’s that sultry part of summer. August is here and what better way to celebrate than with a couple of reds from steamy, passionate Italy. Yes, it’s time to pull out the Dean Martin or Louis Prima music to accompany your red-checkered tablecloth on your own private terrazzo. The summer breezes will win out over the humidity as the sun sets and you can enjoy some of Italy’s fine wines with penne Puttanesca, veal Parmigiana or the old standby spaghetti Bolognese (with meat sauce). However, these are versatile reds that are suitable for your quasi- Tuscan grill, too. These are your spicy Italian reds, ready to embolden and enliven you or just soothe your soul as you watch fireflies from your favorite deck chair.

Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Ripasso,

Veneto, Italy

After 12 months of aging in small oak barrels that provide more surface area to the wine inside, this mix of 75 percent Corvina Veronese, 20 percent Rondinella and 5 percent Molinara, has another six months of bottle aging. A very “Corvina” wine, it has dark, lush cranberry and smoky chocolate flavors. It’s a deep ruby wine that is bold and can stand its own with red meats, grilled meats, game, and your spiciest pasta dishes. It’s a traditional “ripasso,” which means it has to conform to that process – fermenting with the unpressed, but drained Amarone skins and lees. Amarone is a very dry red wine that when used in this way produces beautiful Corvinas that are generally best suited to enjoy with food.

Perazzeta Sara Rosso Toscano,

Tuscany, Italy

Bring the Tuscan sunset to your own backyard with this Sangiovese wine. Named after his daughter Sara, Alessandro Bocci has produced a wonderfully bold Chianti-esque wine that clearly gets its intensity from the Tuscan sun and the large river rocks that are found on his Estate there that hold in that heat at night. Fermented first in steel tanks, followed by the smoothing malolactic fermentation in small wooden barrels, Bocci has produced a wine with bright cherry flavors and spicy notes and earth tones. Again, this is a crisply acidic wine that goes well with your meats and Mama’s favorite red sauce.

Tags: Italy, Wine Club

July 2009 Wine Club Newsletter

July 1, 2009 by Ivy Kupec
Filed under Inspired Posts, Monthly newsletter

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The All-American Zin

July is the month of patriotic parties and prolific grilling, so we suggest including, along with your typical American beer and colas for quaffing, a quenching Zinfandel. Believe it or not, this true-blue, American wine is perfect for the ‘cue and just the ticket for ribs, peppery burgers and steaks, marinated meats, and hearty or spicy grilled fare.

Okay, you Vintelligent folks who read the wine blog from a few weeks back, yes, Zinfandel reportedly originated in Croatia and Italy, but it has been so entrenched in American culture since its introduction in the 1820s that people literally forgot where the grape came from, and they were certain its roots were in the United States. Now 95 percent of all Zinfandels are made in the U.S.A. American winemakers love it because it is incredibly versatile; wine drinkers love it because of the variety it then affords – from semi-sweet blushes to robust reds to sweet dessert wines.

For your Independence Day festivities, just remember that red Zinfandels also tend to have higher alcohol levels, so between the heavy food, the warm sun and the very drinkable wine, you may need a nap before the evening fireworks!

Dry Creek 2007 Heritage Zinfandel american-woman
Sonoma County

With a lot of Zinfandel and a little bit of Petite Sirah, this wine’s ”red, white and blue” most likely comes from its raspberry and blueberry aromas with hints of white pepper and chocolate. Its nine months in American and French oak is noted also on the palate as the fresh berry fruit mingles with the creamy oak. Alcohol levels are at 13.5 percent, so not as high as they can be in some Zins, and the smooth tannins help give this wine a nice, long finish. Wine Spectator recommends drinking now through 2012.

Mettler 2006 “Epicenter” Old Vine Zinfandel

Lodi, California

If you want a wine from the heart of Zinfandel country, this is it! Lodi is considered the Zinfandel capitol of the world, and many believe the best Zins come from Lodi. This wine’s alcohol level is at 15.5 percent, which is typical of a lot of Zins. It’s a solid wine with wild berry, pepper and espresso flavors; rich, thick tannins; and a nice acidity for the finish. Winemaker Barry Gnekow includes 7 percent Petite Sirah and 2 percent Cabernet Franc, which may account for its well-reviewed “balance” although the 50-year-old vines probably can take some credit for that as well. The wine is aged 18 months in new, and very American oak barrels.

- Ivy

Tags: Wine Club, Zinfandel