Sunday, November 18, 2007

Argiolas Perdera, 2005


Argiolas Perdera, 2005

The 2005 Perdera is a blend of 90% Monica and equal parts Carignano and Bovale Sardo. This wine is from a longtime producer in Sardinia. It is aged in French oak for six months prior to bottling, it exhibits dense pepper, cassis, and cherry characteristics intermixed with a loamy soil undertones. The color is deep ruby with purple highlights. On the nose there is abundant dark fruit and a noticable tartness. It is medium to full bodied with fleshy mouth filling acidity and smooth abundant tannins. This wine is both sophisticated and rustic at the same time. This will match well with any hearty fare and exotic spices. It is available for about $12 at Pete's in Bellevue. A very good value from Sardinia!

Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne, 2005


Vietti Barbera d'Asti Tre Vigne, 2005

We are big fans of the red wines from Piedmont region of northern Italy. The Barbera (bar-BEH-rah) grape is widely planted in the rolling hills and has been a staple of the area for many years. Nebbiolo and Dolcetto are two other red varieties that contribute to the great red wines of the region. Barbera is known as the "King of Food" grape, it complements a wide variety of cuisine. It has a hallmark acidity that can cut through tomato sauce with ease; yet, it can also take on the richness of a well marbled steak. The Vietti Barbera D'Asti offers loads of blackberry and black cherry flavors with a rich mouth feel and an underlying acidity of sour cherry. It is full bodied and has a dark ruby color with blackish hue. There are light tannins here and a slight note of chocolate. This new release is ready to drink now or can be cellared for a few years. If you like Barbera, you well really enjoy this one from Vietti. This wine is available a Pete's Wine Shop, in Bellevue, for about $15. Excellent.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Barbera Grapes in Piemonte, Italy

Here are some pictures I took in Piemonte. It is a great part of Italy to explore.

1) Vinyards of Barbera, Nebbiolo and Dlocetto
2) I was about to pick some Barbera



3) Our visit to Pecchenini Winery in Dogliani, Italy

Los Cucos de la Alberquilla Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006


Los Cucos de la Alberquilla Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006

Wow, this Cabernet from the Jumilla region of Spain strengthens my belief that the wines of Spain are some of the best wine values available. This wine sells for about $10 at Esquin Wine Merchants in Seattle. On the nose is a delicious mix of black raspberry, cherries and brown sugar. The color is a lovely dark ruby that is nearly opaque. This is a medium to full bodied wine that with a smooth mouth feel with well integrated tannins. The flavors are typical cabernet with dark berry and cherry with a hint of cacao, mineral and marshmallow. There is enough acidity to pair well with a wide range of food. This is a smooth, luscious red that is a great quality at this price point. If you want to try a "New World" wine from Spain, seek out Los Cucos. Great.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Castano Monastrell, 2006

Castano Monastrell, 2006

This Yecla red wine from Castaño is made from 100% Monastrell (Mourvèdre). Sixty percent of this wine is fermented traditionally, while the other forty percent goes through carbonic maceration. It is released young and is meant to be an easy drinking, everyday wine. The resulting wine has a bright, fresh raspberry bouquet with dense, textured, cherry flavors on the palate. It is well structured with supple, integrated tannins. This wine is a great match for a simple dinner, but has enough body to hold up to hearty dishes including beef, game, and strong cheeses. A very tasty wine for about $8 at Esquin Wine Shop in Seattle.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Pelissero Rosso, 2005


Pelissero Rosso, 2005

This Lange wine from Piedmont shows a deep ruby red color and is almost opaque. The nose reveals intense, clean, pleasing, refined and elegant aromas which start with hints of cherry, violet and plum followed by aromas of blackberry, licorice and cocoa,. The mouth shows full body, intense flavors of plum, blackberry and cherry and BIG tannins that grip your mouth.. The finish is long and complex. This wine is 80% Barbera, 10% Nebbiollo and 10% Dolcetto. This is a well made wine that was lovely now, but should evolve beautifully with some good cellaring. I would best describe this wine as a "Super Piedmontese". It is available at Esquin Wine Merchants, in Seattle, for about $13. We enjoyed this with our Autumn Pizza Party.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Autumn Pizza





Roasted Butternut Squash, Proscuitto, Mozzarella and Basil



Today was a stormy day here in the Northwest with heavy wind and rain. What could be better than to fire-up the wood burning pizza oven and make a few pies. I made three different pizzas; however, the best was the Autumn Pizza. I made a fresh Napoletana pizza dough with Caputo Tipo "00" flour (from Italy), water and fresh yeast. The topping was Prosciutto, fresh mozzarella, roasted butternut squash puree and basil. I will definitely add this to my "Fall" line-up. We enjoyed them with a lovely bottle of Rosso from Piedmont.

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda, 1996




Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda, 1996

This is a Chianti Classico Reserva that we brought back from our trip to Tuscany in 2000. Last night we decided we should pop the cork and see how it was drinking after being cellared for 7 years. It showed a dark red color with crimson and purple hues. On the nose there were green herbs with sour cherry and strawberry. The fruit flavors were still fresh with blackberry and cherry. The wine was medium bodied with a long satisfying finish. Both the tannins and acidity were smooth and controlled. This wine really elevated or simple dinner of soup and sandwich!

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Falesco Vitiano 2005


Falesco Vitiano 2005

An Italian blend of equal parts Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese grapes grown in Umbria. Vitiano is made in stainless steel tanks and aged in barrels for 3 months before being bottled. This is a young red wine with explosive, luscious aromas. The wine has a wonderful deep, ruby red color with a nose of dark cherries, pepper and herbs. It is a rich medium to full bodied wine with balanced acidity. The flavors of cherry, plum and pepper with licorice are enveloped in a blanket of fine tannins. This versatile red is best in its youth, when the fresh fruit character is most evident, but I have cellared past vintages for 2-4 years with nice success. Vitiano is a perennial value and can be found in Seattle for under $10.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

Pizzeria Bianco

Pizzeria Bianco
623 E Adams St.Phoenix, AZ 85004
602-258-8300

Chris Bianco has created what is often regarded as the best pizza restaurant in the United States. A New York native born into an Italian/American family, he came to appreciate pure and quality food preparation, during a family vacation to Italy. He grew up knowing the NY Pizza business, but the trip to Northern Italy, while a teenager, opened his eyes and launched him on his life's quest. Pizzeria Bianco is located in Heritage Square in Central Phoenix.. This small historic building only seats about 40 people. There is a large wood burning oven that is manned by Chris, himself. The menu is simple and perfect. Start with an Antipasto Plate or Spiedini, have a salad with one of 6 or 7 pizza choices. The Antipasto plate was perfect with roasted eggplant, mushrooms, peppers along with delicious Sopressata and sharp cheese. We had a perfectly simple salad of fresh local escarole with Parmesan cheese and a light olive oil and vinegar dressing. Kate had a pizza with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil and homemade sausage. I had one with fresh mozzarella, Parmigiano Reggiano, ricotta and arugula. The crust was perfectly light, flavorful, crisp with inner moisture and chewiness. All the ingredients were delicious and expertly prepared. The service and atmosphere were great and we look forward to returning in the future. This place is so insanely popular, that normal "wait- times" can easily be two hours or more. While waiting, you can sit outside with a drink from Bar Bianco, next door.

Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005


Justin Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005

I like California cabs, but they are not my favorite wines to drink with dinner. This cabernet from Paso Robles is my favorite California Cab of the moment. This is a fruit-forward, luscious red with just enough acidity to pair well with a hardy steak or some Chicken Parmesan. The nose is blackberry, caramel with a hint of vanilla. In the mouth it is full bodied with cherry, chocolate and well developed tannins. The finish is long and pleasing. If you like "big cabs" with new world style, pick up a few of these. It is sold for about $20 at Pete's Wine Store in Bellevue.