Wine Talk by Art of the Table
September 15, 2010
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The sun was shining, the wood-fire pizza oven was heating up,  Lelle Prosecco was in hand, and a great big map of Italian wine regions was on display for all to see...well, all the Art of the Table staff that is.
Sunday afternoon, we were in deep conversation about Italian wine regions, grapes, Italian production laws...all the 'boring' stuff that we eat up with a big ol' spoon. For a while, we learned...and we laughed, then we ate, drank and were genuinely merry.
The food was amazing, compliments of "Pizza Kate". The wine was enjoyed by all. When done, we were all stuffed. I even woke up full! Besides taking away a memory of a great time with good people, the wine we tasted really sticks with me. It reminded me of why I love Italian wine.
Through all of the mess of terrible supermarket varieties (remember those Chianti bottles with straw baskets surrounding?), general confusion about reading labels and the sea of different grape varietals, a good bottle of Italian wine is just that...good. Italian wines can also provide a great bargain for great wine. Here are a few highlights from Sunday that are here on our shelves.
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~ Whites ~
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| Colleventano Pecorino
Funny thing about Pecorino, it is a grape varietal and a cheese. The cheese is made from sheep's milk, and actually, Pecorino is a term for all sheep milk cheese. The grape is also called Pecorino because the clusters when on the vine look like a sheep's head. The wine is really really lovely. Good acidity with more tropical fruit flavors than the expected citrus notes we didn't really find.
All in all, a super wine for anyone anytime.
$15
Rondineto Passerina
Again, a grape you might not be too familiar with. This has been a staple on our shelves for a long while, and it was so great to revisit it. Again, this wine sports tropical fruits rather than citrus, but a hint of lemon zest finds its way onto the palate. The body is slightly more full than the Pecorino, if that is more your fancy.
$9.75
Villa Rubini Pinot Grigio
The fullest bodied of the three whites. Wait! what!?! ...a Pinot Grigio is a full bodied wine? Yup, true story. Some of the "other" P.G. is much more "dumbed down" than this, a really stunning, small production wine. This wine is slightly more Alsatian in style with Italian flavors which means it's minerally and flinty and bright. The juice is aged on the skins just a little longer for more depth and body, and the aromas and flavors of peach and citrus notes really allow the wine to shine. The acidity is so well balanced, it's detectable, but not overwhelming. We really like this wine.$13
did you notice the great prices on these wines?
we did. we were happy with that too!
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~ Reds ~
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| Rondineto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
A wine you are might be familiar with already...but very much so worth revisiting if you haven't had it in a while. A staff favorite on Sunday, and a great value. This wine sports brighter fruits with nice earthy minerality. I think of cherry with a touch of strawberry and a nice vein of acidity right down the middle. There is no reason not to have this wine on spaghetti night. Seriously, it's the best red sauce and noodles wine we can come up with.
$9.75
Villa Soldati
A blend of Barbera and Bonarda, no oak sees this wine, and yet it's incredibly earthy. I could just sit and smell this wine all day long. No kidding! The fruit is there as well, but what I love so much about this wine is the depth of terroir in the grapes. As the back label describes, Villa Soldati is a 'persistent wine'. A touch of spicy tannin on the finish is a really nice compliment as well. Amy's pick for old world "house wine" of the year. An amazing value!
$15.50
Folesano Rosso
Another great wine that sees no oak, but has an earthy body as well. In comparison, the fruit shows though a little stronger compared to Villa Soldati, and the body is a bit bigger as well. Similar, but very different. Folesano has a muted herbal tone to it that is very nice. The fruit is more "red" with a hint of raspberry as well. A dry finish, with moderate length and a pleasant food wine as well. I'm a fan with Raclette and fig wood-fired pizza...
$14
Vietti Nebbiolo Perbacco
Seemingly lighter bodied than the previous two, but don't let that judge this wine. It's intensely dry, with expressive acidity and vibrantly gripping tannins. This wine is a fantastic alternative to much higher priced Barolo. Cherries and earth, with slight reminders of grilled smoke (it wasn't the wood-fire oven, I swear). Not the smoothest wine, but I really wouldn't want it to be.
It's lovely the way it is.
$27
Savini Riserva
Same producer and even the same grape as the Rondineto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, but a very different wine. The fullest bodied wine of the evening, with touches of tobacco, a slight raw honey on the nose and loads of black fruit. This is the kind of wine you can easily have with food, but also a favorite to drink for enjoyment of flavor. If you like bold wines, this is for you.
$20
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Upcoming Tastings
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| In the upcoming months, we'll try to keep your insides warm with beautiful wines and liquor tastings! Keep watching this spot, it's where the info will arrive! Here are a few to get you started in the flair of fall! Tuesday, September 28 - A Trip to Bordeaux! - So because most of us aren't able to go to Bordeaux anytime soon, we will be graced with our wine friend, Ken's memories of a recent visit. We will taste wines from the Chateau and Domaines he visited on his trip. He was hosted by the wineries and winemakers where he was reminded of so much info that could help us understand the place and the terroir. Come along on the journey! Must call to sign up ahead of time for this super wine time at Corez Wine Bar (919 Cherry Street SE) September 28, 5:30pm, $25Friday & Saturday, September 24 & 25 - Oktoberfest celebration! Art of the Table is the wine table sponsor at the Oktoberfest West Michigan event. Free parking & admission to the event, free to join in with fun people dancing and singing and enjoying German food & drink! It's open to everyone! Come on, you want to be German for just a day, right!? Show up anytime between noon and 11pm both days for awesome German wines & beer! Saturday, October 23 - We have changed our date for the Art of the Table's 7th Anniversary Party about 4 times and we're sorry! Our firm, staked into the ground date is here and we are so very excited for it. More super food, beer and wine and music than ever for you to nosh on all night at Stonesthrow Furniture on Plainfield. Trust us, it's the most cozy, fun atmosphere for a party and you should not miss it. More details on their way very soon.
Watch for another tasting on October 6. French winemaker is in the house! Looking way ahead... December 1 - Big Fat Reds December 8 - Sparkling Things We Like to Sip December 15 - Champagnes of Champagne
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