| Greetings!
Welcome to the world of Italian wine! Use this newsletter to learn basics of Italian wine, where to buy it, and how to pair it; helping you purchase with confidence!
Sincerely,
Kallie Smith & Nathan Woodhouse |
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| Great Thanksgiving Pairings
Good wine is a fantastic way to take your Thanksgiving dinner up a notch. The beautiful thing about Italian wine is it's made specifically to be consumed with food. You don't have to worry about huge fruit and oak flavors eclipsing the taste of your food when you choose a wine from Ionia Atlantic. Here are our suggestions for a fantastic Thanksgiving feast.
For appetizers, vegetables, soups and traditional roasted turkey try a crisp white wine from Castellari Bergaglio. We are currently selling three Gavis from this fantastic winery; Fornaci, Rovereto, and Pilin. No matter which you choose, we know you'll be pleased! Red wine lovers fear not, a complex medium bodied red is perfect for turkey too! We love Rosso di Montalcino (try ours from Casisano Colombaio or Marchesato degli Aleramici), VVS "I Tre Vescovi" Barbera d'Asti, and Dolcetto from either Collina Serragrilli or Seiterre. If you're making a full-flavored bird, pork loin, or mushrooms try Collina Serragrilli "GrilloRosso" for a delicious match. And to pair with all of the wonderful pies after dinner, Vinchio Vaglio Serra "Vigne Rare" or "Valamasca" Moscato will perfectly complement the Thanksgiving traditions.
Try several of these selections at a special Thanksgiving tasting Saturday November 21 at Ernesto's Wine Bar in St. Louis!
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Retailer Spotlight 
Kindling Spirits
1420 Main Street
Crainville, IL 62918
618.985.2226
Conveniently located along Route 13 between Carbondale and Marion, Kindling Spirits Food & Florals offers a great selection of beer and wine.
The staff is always friendly and helpful and tasting opportunities abound. Frequent pairing dinners, tastings, and other events are always on their calendar. Beer is Kindling's specialty, but we hope to help them establish the shop as one of Southern Illinois' premier wine retailers in addition to their stellar beer reputation. An Ionia Atlantic Italian wine dinner is slated for January 15th and if schedules allow, we hope to hold a casual afternoon tasting within the next month as well. |
Italian Wine Royalty
Just who is the "King of Wines"?
In Italy's northwest region of Piemonte, wine royalty resides. Barolo is known as the "King of Wines & the Wine of Kings", and Barbaresco is his queen. Both are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and aged to a lengthy yet subtle degree. Barolo stays in oak longer than Barbaresco and garners a bigger reputation, but either one offers a life changing sip when made with care. Autumn is the perfect time to indulge in these wines. Deep, earthy and rich, they are a perfect accompaniment to mushrooms, truffles, satisfying stews and roasts.
 Barolo and Barbaresco tend to carry a substantial price tag, but are well worth the splurge. With today's economy you'll find Ionia Atlantic's selection of royalty at very friendly prices; making this the perfect time to stock your wine cellar. Ask your favorite retailer for Barolo & Barbaresco from Collina Serragrilli or Vinchio Vaglio Serra. If it's not in shop, most retailers are happy to special order for you. Just have them contact Ionia Atlantic at 314.865.4925. |
| Iowa Distribution Begins!
Ruby Fine Wines
724 Clark Street
Iowa City, Iowa 52240
319.339.4566
Iowa has officially joined the Ionia Atlantic distribution network! October saw the first order from Ruby Fine Wines, and Liz Goodman and her crew already appear to be doing a great job of rolling out the Italian wine in Iowa.
Based in Iowa City, Ruby Fine Wines has been servicing the "Hawkeye" state for over 8 years and is widely known to have one of the most prestigious wine portfolios in the Midwest. We are thrilled to be represented by such a fine company! For more information on how to get your hands on Ionia Atlantic Import gems in Iowa, please contact Liz at 319.339.4566, or via e-mail at rubywines@mchsi.com.
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Food & Wine Pairing
With the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico as my closest seafood source, each year I look forward to the cold months for one reason: oysters. This mollusk is an indulgence that is a rare treat when paired with a delicious wine, and can range from casual outdoor grub to elegant and refined.
My favorite method for eating oysters is ice cold, raw on the half shell. For a casual Gulf coast style topped with horseradish, hot sauce, or spicy cocktail sauce, I prefer to serve with a crisp white wine with nice punch of upfront fruit to offset the spicy topping. Curatolo Mulinea Chardonnay or Insolia should do nicely.
For an elegant twist, try the oysters with a shaved ice mignonette sauce and paired with La Cantina Pizzolato Prosecco.
And if you prefer a cooked oyster, at least try a method that leaves the oyster mostly unfettered so you can taste its fresh briny goodness. A quick trip to the charcoal grill with a splash of lemon and flat leaf parsley is just the ticket. An excellent match for the minerality of Andrea Felici Verdicchio.
”Buon Appetito!
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Ionia Atlantic was formed from a passion for great wine and Italian lifestyle. Wonderful wines are found throughout the world, but we believe the most exciting, historic and diverse land for wine is Italy. We strive to share the fruits of this beautiful land by offering traditional, artisan wines with competitive pricing.
Sincerely,
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Kallie Smith
Ionia Atlantic Imports |
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November 2009
