| 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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| Pinot All Around
A container of wine is making its way across the Atlantic Ocean to our door. This ship carries several new wines for Ionia Atlantic, including three new "Pinot" of both red and white variety.
Pinot may refer to several specific grapes including Pinot Grigio (Gris), Pinot Nero (Noir), Pinot Bianco (Blanc) and Pinot Meunier. Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier are the red wine varieties, with Pinot Noir being made popular by the movie Sideways. Pinot Grigio is a hugely popular white wine that is a great 'introductory' to wine because of its often light and unoffensive qualities.
Our new wines include a Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir from Conti di Colloredo Mels. This is our first Pinot Noir for the Italian portfolio. We found many Italian Pinot Noir too green or too expensive but this one is a great gem from Venezia-Giulia. The Pinot Grigio is an excellent value as well from Friuli Grave, with great tropical fruit and a clean finish. Both the Conti di Colloredo Mels Pinot Noir and Pinot Grigio will retail for around $10.99-12.99.
Our third Pinot is Poggiobello Pinot Grigio, Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC. Pinot Grigio from Friuli are known as the best available and Poggiobello will make even the staunchest PG critic appreciate what the grape has to offer. Made with much care, Poggiobello Pinot Grigio offers bright fruit and acacia flowers, smooth body and a pleasant and lingering finish.
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Retailer Spotlight
Kaya's Import Wine & Spirits  4117 Union Road St. Louis, MO 63129 314.894.0007 It's almost hard to imagine a wine shop with such personalized service right next to a busy shopping mall, but that's definitely what Kaya's has accomplished. Tastings every Friday night allow Kata and Dragana to get to know their customers personally and offer them the best advice on wine to try. The 'regulars' have their own wine glass stored at the shop so they can grab their glass and start sampling in no time! You'll find a wide selection of wines from Ionia Atlantic and Eric is frequently on hand for the Friday tasting events. With indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of cheese, crackers, and meats to select from, Kaya's is the perfect place to relax with a bottle of wine or grab one to go. |
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The Tasting Files:
Collina Serragrilli Dolcetto d'Alba
 Collina Serragrilli hand crafts beautiful wine from Barolo to Moscato. This Dolcetto is a standout for the grape. Dolcetto that make their way to the U.S. are often a lighter, acidic red fruit and cotton candy representation. Collina Serragrilli's is a serious wine from start to finish. It takes about 30 minutes of decanting to fully appreciate this wine. After the tannins smooth out, the nose is soft and subtle, like well-worn leather. Ripe red fruit mixes with dried red and dark berries then a layer of warm spice follows through, ending with a faint floral perfume. The mouthfeel is silky and the finish is persistent with a classic Dolcetto almond characteristic lingering long after the wine is gone. This wine is a delicious pairing for pork dishes and Alba truffles. See the recipe below for a perfect pairing. |
Food & Wine Pairing
Pork Chops with Truffle-Date Cream
Serves 2
2 Boneless center cut pork chops, about 1/3 lb each
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
2 T Olive Oil
1 T Butter
1 Shallot, finely chopped
1/8 cup Collina Serragrilli Dolcetto d'Alba
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup Truffle Oil & Waldburg Star Date Vinegar**
Open the Collina Serragrilli Dolcetto d'Alba and pour into a decanter if one is available. Let the pork chops sit on the counter for about 15 minutes, warming slightly. Salt & pepper the pork chops generously.
Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat. When hot but not smoking, add the pork chops to the skillet, searing for 4 minutes. Turn the chops over to sear on the second side for 3-4 minutes, each side should be golden brown. Remove from the pan and tent with foil.
Lower the skillet to medium low heat, add the butter and shallot. Saute for a few minutes until the shallots have softened. Add wine to the pan and scrape up any bits with a wooden spoon. Whisk in the heavy cream for about two minutes, adding a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the truffle oil/date vinegar combo. Place the pork chops back in the pan with the sauce and turn to coat evenly. Serve with the extra sauce drizzled over the top of the pork chops.
Serve with Collina Serragrilli Dolcetto d'Alba that has been decanted for 30-60 minutes.
”Buon Appetitio!
**This recipe is made with a delicious combination of truffle oil and Waldburg Star Date Vinegar from Vom Fass in Maplewood, Missouri. Have them mix up this same concoction or get creative with your own combination! For more information call 314.932.5262. |
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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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Agosto 2010
