Italy's vast wine region provides many wines for you to explore - be they red or white; whatever your palate, there will surely be something perfect waiting to be discovered here!
Consider trying a Tuscan Cab Sauvignon blend like that from Frescobaldi Castelgiocondo or Etna's Sicilian Rosso for fresh fruits and herbs in its flavor profile.
Montepulciano wine available on the American market typically hails from Abruzzo in eastern central Italy, where this variety thrives. Look for bottles labeled Riserva which must have been aged at least two years (nine months in oak barrels).
This wine features a deep ruby red color and offers aromas of black cherry, plum and boysenberry fruit flavors, while ageing adds cocoa, vanilla and mocha notes. Although high tannin levels exist within its structure, these are balanced out by strong acidity levels to achieve great balance in its composition.
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is produced using Sangiovese grapes grown in Tuscany and bears its namesake village name; Vino Nobile means "Noble Wine", since this was traditionally served at noble tables. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine makes an ideal food wine pairing well with Pecorino cheeses as well as local specialities like wild boar ragu served over warm polenta or hearty pasta dishes with tomato-based sauces.
Vin Santo
Vin Santo is a sweet Italian wine known for its caramel-y sweetness. Crafted from white grape varieties - typically Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia - unique to Tuscany, Vin Santo is often aged using different techniques - some in sherry barrels while others remain exposed to summer and winter weather elements in kegs.
A unique wine with a full and complex texture was produced. Notable characteristics include its extensive aromatic range which features candied fruit, orange blossom honey and quince as prominent notes - providing the ideal balance between sweetness and freshness.
Vin Santo is typically enjoyed as a dessert wine and should be enjoyed either alone or paired with cantuccini biscuits from Tuscany dipped into it for maximum pleasure. Many serious producers do not advise doing this, as doing so would alter the delicate aromas and flavors they have worked so hard to cultivate; similarly they caution against pairing Vin Santo with savory dishes as this could cause it to turn bitter over time.
Cortese di Gavi
Gavi white wine has quickly become one of the most beloved white wines among consumers and sommeliers alike in recent years, due to its refreshing citrus-like citrus taste and mineral character, pairing wonderfully with foods originating from northern Italian coastal cuisine such as fragrant pesto pastas or seafood dishes.
Gavi DOCG vineyards can be found lining Piedmont's southern border with Liguria and lie only miles inland from the coast, creating an intense microclimate characterized by drastic temperature variations between day and night that add an incredible tension in their wines.
Morgassi's fresh and lively Gavi features a lively citrus nose with notes of pear and honey. On the palate it is pure citrus with refreshing acidity that finishes off nicely with subtle flint tones. This wine would pair beautifully with salads like the classic Ligurian cappon magro or with shrimp and clams; additionally it can make an excellent complement for grilled chicken or vegetables.
Moscato d'Asti is an easygoing yet flavorful wine perfect for pairing with breakfast dishes like crepes, French toast and fruit parfaits - or as part of any festive brunch spread! Its low alcohol content and naturally bubbly character (known as frizzante in Italy) give this fruit-forward varietal an appealing yet refreshing finish. With low alcohol levels and natural fizz (it is considered frizzante in Italy), its taste reminds one of fresh canned peaches with honey and white flower petals - perfectly complimenting such food items! This fruity wine makes the ideal wine choice when pairing brunch menu items like crepes French toast and fruit parfaits!
From an esteemed producer in Piedmont comes this classic Moscato made with organically farmed fruit that features subtle yet refreshing effervescence. Orange blossom and fresh nectarine aromas stand out on this wine while maple syrup and candied ginger add depth and complexity.
As part of its fermentation process, Moscato d'Asti's carbon dioxide is "entrapped" within its tanks during fermentation, creating its unique light fizz. Unlike most sparkling wines such as Champagne and Prosecco, which use bottle fermentation techniques for their creation of bubbles, Moscato d'Asti uses fermentation tanks instead. As such, its bubbles come from rising temperature within fermentation tanks which is why its alcohol content is much lower compared to theirs.
What makes a wine a real Cellar Classic? From time to time we find ourselves marvelling at the creativity of the wine grower we always look to enrich our taste buds with something rather remarkable and share this with you.