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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 |
| Upcoming Events | |
June 4, 2011
Vom Fass
Maplewood, MO
June 10, 2011 Vom Fass
Maplewood, MO
June 24, 2011 Wines of Wildwood Wildwood, MO
Many more to come! Check our Facebook and Twitter pages!
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Vinitaly Review 2011
Members of the Ionia Atlantic team just returned from Vinitaly in Verona, one of the largest wine shows in the world, where nearly every winery in Italy presents their products. We met with a few of our current producers, sampling new vintages and new offerings, and found exciting new producers with wines from the rare to the well-known. The result, exciting new wines are on the way! Puglia, Veneto, Sicilia, Sardegna and maybe even a very small production Brunello di Montalcino! The first wave includes new wines from current producers; Grignolino, Langhe Nebbiolo, "Pink Moscato" and rare high end Barbera from Vinchio Vaglio Serra; rosé of Nebbiolo from famed Barolo producer Virna di Borgogno; and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso from Piera Martellozzo. Selections from producers new to Ionia Atlantic will include a red blend from Puglia, a fantastic Umbrian line, and Etna Rosso to name a few. Our new selections for 2011 take us back to our roots, the heart of Italian wine. We'll expand our portfolio with the best of Italy's indigenous, rare and purely Italian finds. The second half of 2011 is going to be an exciting one for wine lovers following Ionia Atlantic!
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Retailer Spotlight
The Naked Vine
1624 Clarkson Rd
Chesterfield, Missouri
636.536.0711
At the Naked Vine they'll tell you, good wine is the one you like. They strive to provide great customer service in an unpretentious yet knowledgeable environment. Tastings are offered at the store on Thursdays and Saturdays, plus you can purchase wines by the bottle or glass for enjoyment at their wine bar. There are two levels of monthly wine club to join, allowing you to try their picks each month, often wines at a great value and rare finds. Currently you'll find wines from Forth, Venge, Seiterre, Tudor, Alberti 154, Jax and more at the Naked Vine. Ask about their newest wine Baby Blue, a Sonoma red blend that's flying off the shelves and already sold out at the winery! This one won't last long so get to the Naked Vine to try it for a limited time!
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The Tasting Files:
Vinchio Vaglio Serra "Le Nocche" Grignolino d'Asti DOC 2010
 Our new favorite summer red. Vinchio Vaglio Serra's "Le Nocche" is made from 100% Grignolino. In Piemontese dialect, grignolino means 'many pips', referring to the numerous seeds in these grapes. The seeds lend a tannic quality that must be controlled and tamed by gentle pressing and removal. VVS takes advantage of technology, using a machine that can gently remove the seeds, leaving a grignolino you'd never suspect had the potential to be overly tannic. The wine is light red, like a natural rosé. Piemontese compare it to a Beaujolais and sell it young and fresh. Strawberries and raspberries on the nose with very subtle alpine and evergreen notes. The palate is fresh and clean, following up with the berries and finishing with just enough acidity and a touch of tannins to give it the strength needed for food pairing. The lingering finish is reminiscent of having finished a bite of crusty strawberry shortcake. After about 30 minutes open, the finish gives way to savory black pepper, a surprising delight. Give this wine a quick chill and serve with meat and cheese antipasti, prosciutto, chilled soups and even lightly seasoned grilled meats. |
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Food & Wine Pairing
Vitello Tonnato
Veal with Tuna Sauce
Serves 2 as a first course
There are both Milanese and Piedmontese versions of Vitello Tonnato. The Piedmontese is served cold. That fact combined with our choice of wine pairing make it perfect for summer months. Find your favorite recipe for preparing the veal and, if possible, make your own mayonnaise and even tuna.
1/4 lb Veal Top Round Roast, either poached or roasted, cooled and thinly sliced
3oz canned Italian tuna in oil, drained
1/4 cup olive oil
Juice of one lemon
1 Tbsp plus 1 tsp capers, rinsed
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Pinch of fine sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp flat leaf Italian parsley, finely chopped
Lay the veal slices on a serving platter, overlapping each slice slightly. Drizzle with about one quarter of the lemon. Keep cool.
To make the sauce, combine in a food processor the tuna, olive oil, lemon juice, 1 Tbsp capers and mayonnaise. Blend until well combined but leave small chunks of tuna. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Pour sauce over the veal slices, leaving them saucy yet not completely covered. Drizzle with the lightest touch of olive oil and lemon juice, and sprinkle with remaining capers and parsley. Refrigerate if necessary but remove from refrigerator about 10 minutes before serving to allow the dish to come between chilled and room temperature.
Serve with Vinchio Vaglio Serra "Le Nocche" Grignolino d'Asti DOC
¡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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June 2011
