Tasca d’Almerita Regaleali Bianco Sicilia DOC 2015

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Estate: The Tasca d’Almerita family of estates consists of the Regaleali, Capofaro, and Whitaker estates. The Tasca family has farmed the Regaleali estate since 1837. Today the 8th generation of the family, Count Lucio Tasca, oversees all of the nearly 600 hectares of vineyards along with his sons, Giuseppe and Alberto. The family is committed to sustainability; they are behind the ‘SOStain’ programme, an organization that guides companies towards increasing their sustainability. The name of the wine reflects the “thousands of roses, brought in from all over the world”, that flourish throughout the Regaleali estate.

Philosophy: Passionate about eco-sustainability, the Regaleali estate is nearly completely self-sufficient; all of their food is grown on the estate and they are working toward a carbon neutral rating. Their goal of achieving eco-sustainability “is a self-regulated, pro-active scheme to reach our goals through positive actions both in the short term and in the mid-to-long term” that they achieve using “science, technology and organization”.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from vineyards planted in 1957 with clay and sandy-loam soils. Cool-fermented in stainless steel, aged for 3 months in stainless steel, then 1 month in the bottle.

Tasting Notes: Light gold in colour with aromas of apple, pear and melon. Tasting similar to fruit aromas with an undercurrent of sweet honeysuckle complimented by zippy acidity. Saline minerals and bitter almond linger between each sip. Straightforward, with an inviting blend of contrasting flavours [sweet/bitter], great on its on or with a wide variety of everyday dishes.

Pairing Suggestions from the Importer: Antipasti, cerviche, seafood, Asian dishes.

Inzolia, Grecanico, Catarratto, Chardonnay [Variatel percentages vary each vintage, I was not able to confirm percentages for 2015.]
Sicilia DOC
Italy
Bottled by Tasca D’Almerita Soc. AGR. a R.L.
12% Alcohol
$10
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Pascal Jolivet Sancerre Rosé 2014

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Estate: Pascal Jolivet is regarded as “one of the most dynamic domaines in France’s Loire Valley”. Founded in 1987, the estate consists of 120 acres of vineyards that extend across the appellations of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé. Pascal Jolivet is committed to natural winemaking in both the vineyard and cellar processes.

Philosophy: “To let nature take its course as much as possible.”

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from “different terroirs throughout the appellation including estate vineyards in the villages of Bué, Verdigny and St Gemme”. Fermented using native, wild yeasts.

Tasting Notes: Amber-coral in colour with aromas of rhubarb, herbs and chalk minerals. Red currant, rhubarb, and strawberry flavours are supported by a food friendly acidity. Red grapefruit and clean minerals comprise the refreshing, dry finish. Charming and direct, an amiable companion to a wide array of dishes.

100% Pinot Noir
Sancerre
France
Estate Bottled
12.5% Alcohol
$26 [1.5L]
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Rated 88 points by Wine Spectator

Vignoble Couillaud Gamay Rosé Val de Loire IGP 2015

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Estate: The Couillaud family has been making wine for 7 generations in the Loire Valley. Brothers Bernard Michel and François Couillaud, along with Bernard’s daughter Amelia, head the estate. Known for their elegant wines, the family believes this finesse is a reflection of the terroir and their “strong personalities”.

Winemaking: Sustainable and organic viticulture is practiced. Soils are a mix of mica schists [which contribute towards the “freshness and finesse” their wines are known for], shale and clay.

Tasting Notes: Pale coral-pink in colour with inviting aromas of rhubarb, strawberry, white flowers, minerals and a wink of funk. Agile and zippy with strawberry and floral notes buoyed by an undercurrent of tart fruits. Rain-washed slate minerals and clean grapefruit comprise the dry, refreshing finish.

Gamay [I could not verify varietal percentage.]
Val de Loire IGP
France
Mis en Bouteille a la Propriété by Couillaud, Vignerons
12% Alcohol
$12
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Tenuta Sant’Antonio ‘Scaia’ Rosato Veneto IGT 2015

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Estate: Tenuta Sant’Antonio is the passion of 4 brothers: Armando, Paolo, Tiziano and Massimo Castagnedi. They grew up cultivating their father’s vineyards, and in 1989, after working as technical consultants in other vineyards throughout Italy, they purchased 30 hectares of land around their original 20 hectare family estate. They planted indigenous grapes alongside the existing vineyards and built a new winery. Today they are renowned for their Amarone, Valpolicella Ripasso and Valpolicella. ‘Scaia’ is the estate’s “easily accessible” range of wines that showcase indigenous and international grape varietals.

Philosophy: “Concentrate on quality rather then quantity.”

Winemaking: The vineyards are cultivated using organic methods, as they are “tended with love and attention to maintain a balance with nature”. Grapes were sourced from vines 10-15 years in age.

Tasting Notes: Coral-orange in colour, with aromas of pink peppercorn dusted wild berries, minerals and a flutter of funk. Sweet berries are paired with racy acidity in the light to medium body, bright citrus zest compliments the dry mineral finish. Refreshing and balanced, fantastic on its own, and particulary great with grilled veggies.

100% Rondinella
Veneto IGT
Italy
Produced and Bottled by Azienda Agricola Tenuta Sant’Antonio di Castagnedi Massimo
12.5% Alcohol
$10
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I I always love running across glass "corks".

I I always love running across glass “corks”.

Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo ‘Il Mimo’ Nebbiolo Rose 2015

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Estate: Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo is located in Ghemme, at the top of the Piedmont region of northern Italy. The property has been handed down from father to son for centuries, all the while cultivating grapes for their own use or selling to other wineries. [The family’s “viticulture presence in Ghemme is documented from the beginning of the 1500s onwards”.] In 1977 Alberto Arlunno took the reigns of the estate, revitalizing and increasing the vineyards and began estate bottling the grapes. Today the estate consists of 100 hectares, 34 of which are under vine.

Winemaking: Grapes were sourced from vineyards located on alluvial hills where “in ancient times the great Monte Rosa glacier receded. The soil is rich in easily fragmented pebbles providing the vines with a quantity of minerals.” The Nebbiolo Rosé takes its name from an ancient Roman mime mask that was found at the base of the Ghemme hill. Both theatre and wine are areas presided over by the ancient Greek god Dionysus, [or Bacchus during Roman times].

Tasting Notes: Deep coral orange in colour with aromas of cherry, strawberry and hibiscus flower. Loaded with red fruits, [think cherry, raspberry strawberry, current] with an engaging play between a food friendly acidity and a streak of sweet honey. More body then most Rosé, this is a great pairing with a wide range of summer dishes.

100% Nebbiolo
Colline Novaresi DOC
Italy
Estate Bottled by Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo di Alberto Arlunno
13.5% Alcohol
$12
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