Tre Monti ‘Campo di Mezzo’ Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore DOC 2016

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Estate: A pioneering force in Romagna, Sergio Navacchia founded Tre Monti along with his wife Thea in 1974. The winery consists of 2 separate estates, for a total of 55 hectares [135 acres], located in the hills of Imola and Forlì, in Romagna, northern Italy. Sergio was one of the first in the area to introduce dense vine plantings, non-traditional grape varietals and crafted one of the first Romagna Sangiovese to be awarded by Wine Spectator. When Thea passed away in 1989, sons Vittorio and David dedicated themselves to the estate. For an absolutely entertaining peek into the Navacchia men, check out their bio page here.

Winemaking: Vineyards are certified organic, and additionally farmed sustainably, along with including a few biodynamic practices. Minimal intervention is applied in both the vineyard and cellar. Grapes are from vines with an average age of 15 years, planted in silty soil. Aged in stainless steel and glass lined cement vats.

Tasting Notes: Red-violet in colour with aromas of cherry, dried strawberry, violet, soft spice and leather. Plush and fruity, with red and black cherry, red currant, fig, pepper spice, fresh herbs and dusty floral wisps, framed by fresh acidity and firm tannins. Black cherry and dried strawberry compliment the spice driven, dry finish. Delicious on its own, super easy to pair with a wide varity of dishes, a spectacular value.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Baked pasta with mushroom or meat sauce, charcuterie, chicken liver dishes.

100% Sangiovese
Sangiovese di Romagna Superiore DOC
Italy
Estate Bottled by Tre Monti SRL
13.5% Alcohol
$13
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Jean-Luc Colombo ‘Cape Bleue’ Rosé Méditerranée IGP 2017

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Estate: Jean-Luc Colombo has been “hailed as the winemaking wizard of the Rhône”, and is internationally renowned for crafting innovative, character driven, memorable wines. He passionately strives to craft wines that make people happy, wanting each glass “to be like a song praising the simple but important things in life: observing nature, enjoying food and sharing with others”.  All vines are farmed organically, with an emphasis on protecting the indigenous flora and fauna of the area.

Philosophy: Working closely with his wife and daughter, he is driven by the philosophy that creating quality wine is dependent on three fundamental elements; “terroir, human endeavor and modern winemaking techniques”.

Winemaking: The grapes were sourced from hillside vineyards with calcareous rocks in the “Blue Cape” in Provence overlooking the bay of Marseille. With its olive groves and garrique, the stunning area was made famous by the paintings of Cezanne.

Tasting Notes: Coral pink in colour with aromas of strawberry, watermelon, raspberry, sea spray, white flowers and citrus zest. Tasting very similar to the delightful aromas, with strawberry, raspberry, watermelon and a trace of oregano wrapped in fresh acidity. Pink grapefruit and cherry linger on the mineral driven finish. Silky and gluggable, fantastic on its own or with a wide variety of dishes.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Serve with a wide range of fish, poultry and vegetarian fare, or as an aperitif at a café terrace by the water’s edge.

67% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre
Méditerranée IGP
France
Bottled by Vins Jean-Luc Colombo
12.5% Alcohol
$10
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Prosper Maufoux Mâcon Villages 2016

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Estate: Prosper Maufoux has a long history of crafting high quality, terroir driven wines. Located in the village of Santenay, in the heart of the southern Côte d’Or, Prosper Maufoux founded the Burgundian estate in 1860. Today the company is headed by Eric Piffaut, whose family’s winemaking roots in Burgundy go back to 1898. Winemaker Nadine Gublin is at the helm, receiving many accolades, including being named the first female “Winemaker of the Year” by France’s leading wine magazine, La Revue du Vin de France.

Winemaking: Aged on fine lees for several months followed by quick bottling to “lock in the fruit”.

Tasting Notes: Pale gold in colour with aromas of fresh cut grass, pineapple, green apple and herbs. Pear, apple, peach, fresh herbs, and a trace of tropical fruit are accented by lively acidity, echoes of soft tropical fruit linger between each crisp sip. Wonderfully easy drinking on its own or with a wide variety of dishes.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Roasted fish, sea food and soft cheeses.

100% Chardonnay
Mâcon Villages
France
Bottled by Prosper Maufoux
13% Alcohol
$17 [average price]
Enjoy now thru 2021

Sample submitted for editorial consideration.

La Mondianese Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG 2016

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An engaging fusion of vivid flavours, spectacular on its own or with a wide variety of dishes.

Estate: Mirko Meneghello and Stefania Negro are the driving force behind La Mondianese. The 15 hectare estate is located in the hills of Montemagno in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. They restored the original farmhouse on the property and built a modern cellar. They passionately cultivate indigenous varieties; Grignolino, Barbera and the ever-elusive Ruché. [Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato is one of the lowest production, single varietal wines in Italy.]

Winemaking: Grapes are hand harvested from hillside vineyards with marine sedimentary layers and calcareous loam soil. Vinified in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting Notes: Red-violet in colour, very aromatic with blueberry, black cherry, strawberry liqueur, wildflower, sage and soft baking spice notes. Cherry, strawberry, raspberry and rhubarb are framed by black tea tannins and fresh acidity. Plush black cherry, black currant, white pepper and a trace of licorice comprise the dry, lengthy finish. An engaging fusion of vivid flavours, spectacular on its own or with a wide variety of dishes.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winery: Cheese and herb stuffed pastas, such as agnolotti, roasts, white meat, spicy dishes such as curry or mustard.

100% Ruché
Ruché di Castagnole Monferrato DOCG
Italy
Produced and Bottled by La Mondianese
13.5% Alcohol
$13
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Trediberri Rosato Langhe DOC 2017

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Estate: The Trediberri [three of Berri] estate is located in the small village of Berri, in the westernmost part of La Morra, close to the Tanaro River in the Langhe region of Piedmonte. Nicola Oberto along with his friend Vladimiro Rambaldi founded Trediberri in 2007, when they purchased 5 hectares in Barolo. Today their vineyard holdings have increased to include 2 hectares in the Rocche Annunziata and Torriglione, where they produce Barolo, Barbera and Sauvignon Blanc, along with renting an additional hectare in La Morra.

The family winery is aware that they are young, but they are passionate about crafting “the most drinkable and balanced wines possible”. Using organic, traditional and biodynamic methods, they strive for equilibrium in their wines. In 2012 they began the organic certification process, in order to be transparent in their practice and guarantee the precise methods used in organic winemaking. They tend to age in cement, however depending on the individual grape or vineyard, they may choose to use wood instead. Progressive, honest and fantastically witty, check out their original, clever bio page here.

Philosophy: The idea behind this wine is the joy and carefreeness that a bottle of wine should always contain. Bottled in the Spring, without diminishing the complexity that the land of the Langhe involves.”

Winemaking: Maceration on the skins for 32 hours, due to the low acidity of 2017, no malolactic fermentation. Aged for 3 months in cement, bottled during the waning moon in February 2018.

Pairing Suggestions from the Winemaker: Great as an aperitif, and with salami and cheese, raw fish, mozzarella and burrata, crustaceans and pasta.

Tasting Notes: Ruby red in colour with aromas strawberry, cherry, violet petal and a trace of watermelon. Strawberry, raspberry and tart cherry are underscored by a streak of minerality and fresh, light acidity. Finishing dry and fruity. Super fruity, super dry, super refreshing, this drinks like a light red. A fantastic summer sipper and will pair with just about anything. [On a lovely Sunday afternoon in NYC, I watched the bartender and waitstaff pouring this seemingly endlessly. On its own or paired with a Spring influenced Roman menu, people could not get enough of this fantastic Rosato!]

30% Barbera, 30% Dolcetto, 20% Nebbiolo, 20% Freisa
Langhe DOC
Italy
Bottled by Società Agricola Trediberri di Nicola Oberto & C. ss
12.5% Alcohol
$15 [Average price, I paid $37 in a restaurant.]
Enjoy now