Description
The Finer Details
2022 Valpolicella Classico D.O.C. from Michele Castellani
(Pack Contains 1 x Bottle of 750mL)
What does our Somm say?
This wine is a super easy drinking and versatile red drop from family winemakers, Michele Castellani.
Whereas other wines from Castellani are super full bodied and strong, this Valpolicella Classico D.O.C ‘i Castei’ has a lower body at 12.5% and therefore lends itself to lighter meals or entrees.
In particular, I would enjoy this wine with any roasted chicken or turkey meals, vegetable risotto or gnocchi with a cheese and walnut sauce. Even lighter meals such as broths, minestrone or marinated grilled vegetables would work wonderfully.
Outside of a meal setting, we love to savour the taste of this wine with a board of good quality Prosciutto and lighter salami with some seasoned cheeses; think Parmigiano Reggiano, Aged Gouda, and fresh baguette.
Optimal Serving Temp: 18 Degrees Celsius
Grapes:
- Corvina Veronese & Corvinone 70%
- Rondinella 25%
- Molinara 5%
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
2022 Chianti D.O.C.G from Buccia Nera
(Pack Contains 1 x Bottle of 750mL)
What does our Somm say?
Who said Chianti was a thing of the past? They’d be damn wrong. This Vegan and organically produced Chianti D.O.C.G ‘Tenuta di Campriano’ from Buccia Nera is deliciously smooth and with a medium body, embodies the easy drinking and pleasurable nature you’d look for in a quality Chianti.
If I wanted to keep to the traditional pairings of the Chianti wine region, I would recommend a pairing of simple pastas with tomato-based meat ragù, lasagne, Margarita pizza, fennel salamis’ or Crostini (little toasted breads) topped with marinated mushrooms or chicken liver pâté.
Outside of a Tuscan dining context however, I’ve found Chianti D.O.C.G to work well with Beef burgers with all the trimmings, stuffed & roasted chicken, or a traditional German bratwurst panino with sauerkraut, cheese, mustards and tomato chutney.
There’s a reason that Chianti is known as dependable and ‘go-to’, the harmonious flavours and restrained intensity of this wine has made it renowned as a classic choice to enjoy with a meal.
Optimal Serving Temp: 15 Degrees Celsius
Grapes:
- Sangiovese 80%
- Cabernet Sauvignon 10%
- Merlot 10%
Alcohol Content: 13%
Bottle Size: 750ml
2022 Nero d’Avola Sicilia D.O.C. from Colomba Bianca
(Pack Contains 1 x Bottle of 750mL)
What does our Somm say?
Colomba Bianca created a range of wines that carry the name ‘Resilience’ for a good reason. After an entire zone of vineyards was wiped out due to earthquakes in the 80’s, most wine producers left the area, abandoning their ruined crops and lands from fear of history repeating itself.
The winemakers at Colomba Bianca’s wine estate in this area instead decided to stay, fixing their wine crops and renaming this estate ‘Resilience’. Today, to honour the spirit of dedication and hope of the Sicilian Wine making community, all the wines produced from that same historical estate now carry the same name ‘Resilience’.
Wowee. What an enjoyable wine. There’s a reason this Nero d’Avola has been awarded so many prizes of recent. It is a powerhouse of aroma, taste and boldness. Having aged for an additional 6 months before bottling, this ‘Resilience’ Nero D’Avola is deserving of an equally robust meal pairing that can match its intensity of flavour.
For this reason, I would recommend Venison, beef, lamb or rich pasta sauce or casserole dishes. In particular, try this wine with a slow cooked beef stew, a traditional lasagna, or even a juicy beef burger with bacon. Good quality roasted meats or sausages, sweet & sour rabbit, or a grilled tuna steak are not bad food-mates either.
If you like to enjoy your bold reds outside of meal setting, get yourself setup with some quality aged cheese platter, including Fontina, Cheddar, or a Sheep’s Milk Cheese.
However you choose to enjoy this wine, make sure to get yourself some appropriate oversized wine glasses, designed to allow the wine to open up and bring out its structure and complexity further.
Optimal Serving Temp: 16-18 Degrees Celsius
Grapes:
- Nero d’Avola 100%
Drinking Age: Drink now to within 5 years
Alcohol Content: 14.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
2021 Nebbiolo Langhe D.O.C. from Cascina Ghercina
(Pack Contains 1 x Bottle of 750mL)
What does our Somm say?
This expression of Nebbiolo Langhe D.O.C from Cascina Ghercina is a truly elegant drop. It hold romantic nostalgia due to its namesake. To drink this wine is to (for a moment) stroll through the misty mountains of the Langhe wine region of Piemonte.
This wine traditionally pairs to noble foods such as duck, prime rib, well-made sausages and pork shank, however vegetable dishes are fantastic ‘food mates’ when approached with the twist of regional Mediterranean flavours. Think Eggplant parmigiana, Pasta ‘alla Norma’, stuffed and baked capsicum, or roasted veggies with a rosemary and garlic sauce.
If instead you prefer your Nebbiolo Langhe D.O.C in a more casual setting, try this with a platter of high quality prosciutto, salami and cheese. Make sure the cheese is on the creamier or fattier side, such as a nice goat’s cheese on crunchy bread or some aged Parmigiano Reggiano.
Optimal Serving Temp: 16-18 Degrees Celsius
Drinking Age: Now to 7 years
Grapes:
- Nebbiolo 100%
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
2021 Morellino di Scansano D.O.C.G,
Maremma Toscana Sangiovese “I Perazzi” from La Mozza Winery
(Pack Contains 1 x Bottle of 750mL)
What does our Somm say?
There’s a reason why ‘I Perazzi’ is so highly regarded amongst the wine community. It’s an entirely pleasing, easy-to-drink wine, never boring and never taken for granted.
As I breathe in this red drop, I pick up a complex harmony of red berries, balsamic, with noticeable slightly spicy and tobacco leaf notes. On the palate, it still remains fresh, with lots of juicy red and dark fruit. Warm in the mouth, with great balance. A pleasurable drink.
Wines with such presence, such as this Morellino di Scansano D.O.C from La Mozza, can definitely be enjoyed outside of a formal meal setting, with rich cheeses, dried fruits, good quality pâté, or fennel salami.
However, every great Italian wine ‘sings’ when enjoyed with a meal, and for this wine, the flavours of red meats, marinated vegetables, cured salami and prosciutto and even poultry make a well matched occasion of this wine.
My personal favourite? Try this with a wild boar ragu through handmade potato gnocchi, or some well marinated veal, on a bed of Brussel sprouts and pancetta.
Optimal Serving Temp: 14-16 Degrees Celsius
Drinking Age: Drink Now
Grapes:
- Sangiovese 85%
- Syrah 5%
- Alicante 5%
- Ciliegiolo 5%
Alcohol Content: 13.5%
Bottle Size: 750ml
2021 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Vigneti Radica
(Pack Contains 1 x Bottle of 750mL)
What does our Somm say?
A direct quote from the winery reveals why we choose to share this Montepulciano d’Abruzzo with you:
“Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is one of the most produced grapes in Italy. There are many labels of Montepulciano on the market, some also made by bottlers outside of the Abruzzo’s region. Those wine bottles that have the sole purpose to be cheap are often made without care and so over time they have compromised the name of this grape that, contrary, has unique quality characteristics. And so, the winemakers who, like us, try to produce quality wines have the tough and responsible task of bringing the name of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo back to the top”.
I would agree that this example of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a reinvigoration of a well-known wine type. This dry red holds such wonderful depth of flavour; ripe cherry, plum, strawberry and black currants roll around the mouth as additional aromas of vanilla cherry fill the olfactory centre.
This red drop from Abruzzo is versatile in food pairing but sings when served with appetizers of prosciutto and salami meats, tomato based pasta dishes, well sauced roasts, or cheesy baked vegetable dishes. I personally enjoy it with some bruschetta of tomato and a rich cheese spread.
Optimal Serving Temp: 18 – 20 Degrees Celsius
Grapes:
- Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 100%
Alcohol Content: 13%
Bottle Size: 750ml
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