Perth Area Wine Tasters

Last Tasting

Tuesday 14th April 2009

NV Argeo, Prosecco Brut, Ruggeri
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Grape Varieties: Perera 3%, Prosecco 95%, Verdiso 2%,
Alc. Vol: 11%

Producer: Ruggeri
This is one of the best-Italian wine firms and its Prosecco di Valdobbiadene are among the most absolutely complete expressions of this wine. Today, at the head of the winery, which was founded fifty years ago by Giustino Bisol, is his son Paolo. Ruggeri does not have its own vineyards but buys the grapes in the Valdobbiadene area.
Tasting Note:
A classic elegant Prosecco with tiny bubbles (the hall mark of quality) and a fresh green apple nose and palate, with a long, crisp finish.

2006 Frascati Superiore Meraco, San Marco
Origin: Lazio, Italy
Grape Varieties: Malvasia 70%, Trebbiano 30%
Alc. Vol:13%

Producer: Cantine San Marco
The San Marco estate is in the Frascati hills overlooking Rome. Although it is now the second largest producer of Frascati wine, the company is still owned and run by Notarnicola family with 100 hectares of vines owned in and around Frascati, 200 hectares of contract producers and 45 hectares of rented vineyard. In addition, the family select and bottle wine from the Orvieto region. Over recent years, the family has invested in vineyard and winery to ensure consistency and quality across the board. Vines are restricted to a relatively low yield 60hl/ha with Guyot and double Guyot training. The grapes are hand harvested at full maturity at the end of September or the beginning of October before vinification in the temperature-controlled modern winery. All vinification is in stainless steel, except Meraco which is made in oak. The wines are attractive, fruity and forward in the modern style.
Tasting Note:
Medium straw yellow in the glass with glints of gold. The bouquet is redolent of ripe lemons. mimosa flowers and toasted brioche. The palate is full, with more toasty notes and a lovely balance between the body and alcohol.

2007 Pinot Grigio Classici DOC, Colterenzio
Origin: Alto Adige, Italy
Grape Varieties: Pinot Grigio 100%
Alc. Vol: 13%

Producer: Colterenzio 'Classici'
The hamlet of Schreckbichl (Colterenzio in Italian) is situated amid cool, vine-covered rolling hills to the south of Bolzano. It forms part of South Tyrol's largest self-contained winegrowing area called Überetsch, or 'beyond the Adige'. Formed in the 1960's by a group of 28 winegrowers and estate owners the co-operative has grown considerably and now has members supplying grapes from over 320 hectares of vineyard located in some of South Tyrol's finest sites. Colterenzio has firmly established itself not only in our list but as one of Italy's finest sources of white wines.
The 'Classici' range provides 60 per cent of the winery's production and offers introductory, varietal wines that prove excellent value for money.
Tasting Note:
A full bodied wine with a lightly floral bouquet. Lime and herb notes underlay the melon and pineapple fruit, and the mouthfeel is supple, almost rich-unusual for this varietal. Balanced acidity on the palate leading to a concentrated finish.

2007 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Umani Ronchi
Origin: Abruzzo, Italy
Grape Varieties: Montepulciano 90%, Sangiovese 10%
Alc. Vol: 13%

Producer: Umani Ronchi
Today Umani Ronchi own 110 hectares in the Verdicchio Classico area, 60 hectares in the Rosso Conero, and 30 in Abruzzi. This part of Italy is framed by glorious hills that meet the waters of the Adriatic Sea, with such a favourable climate and soil Umani Ronchi can only profit from their treasures. "Since the beginning we have pursued our principal aim of the highest quality production, and in more than 40 years we have refined this art. Careful selection of the grapes on the plant, very low yields per hectare, continuous experimentations on the vineyard and in the cellar, strict laboratory controls". Umani Ronchi prides itself as the leading exponent of the two major wines of the Marche, Verdicchio and Rosso Conero, as well as being one of the principle producers of wines from the neighbouring Abruzzi region.
Tasting Note:
Medium bodied and dry, with a finely textured structure and ripe, plummy fruit.

2004 Barolo di Serralunga d'Alba DOCG, Fontanafredda
Origin: Piemonte, Italy
Grape Varieties: Nebbiolo100%
Alc. Vol: 14%

Producer: Fontanafredda
The Selezioni or "Selection" wines from the Fontanafredda property are the key wines of the estate. Sourced from the finest vineyard sites in the region and under the watchful eye of winemaker extraordinaire Danilo Drocco, these wines are the cornerstone of the Fontanafredda portfolio.
Tasting Note:
Blood red with ruby highlights, it has a clear-cut, intense nose with overtones of vanilla, spices, withered roses and underbrush. The palate is dry, but soft, full bodied, velvety and well balanced, and is engagingly complex throughout the lengthy finish.

2007 Torre del Falasco Valpolicella Metodo Ripasso, Cantina Valpantena
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Grape Varieties: Corvina Veronese 70%, Rondinella 30%
Alc. Vol: 13.5%

Producer: Valpantena
In Greek Valpantena means "Valley of Gods" but according to the Veronese tradition Valpantena means "Valley of wines". Cantine Valpantena is found in the heart of this valley at Quinto, situated 7km North East of Verona. In 1958 a group of wine producers in the Verona area joined together to form this co-operative association. Today this co-operative comprises 270 wine growers with vineyards covering a total area of 600 hectares throughout the hilly area north of Verona.
Tasting Note:
Dry, full bodied style which is soft and fruity on the nose. On the palate the wine comes across rich and fruity with a dry, lingering finish.

2006 Brolio, Chianti Classico
Origin: Tuscany, Italy
Grape Varieties: Sangiovese 100%
Alc.Vol: 13.5%

Producer: Brolio
A renaissance castello situated between Florence and Siena and a family that have owned it since 1141 don't seem likely ingredients for one of Italy's most dynamic and quality minded wineries, however in the space of the last 10 years - the 32nd Baron - has turned the Castello di Brolio into one of Italy's most respected wineries. The Barone has been one of the pioneers of the 'Chateau' concept in Tuscany, a concept by which the estate focus is purely on the production of the estate's top wine - i.e. Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico - and any parcels or barrels that do not make the cut are 'downgraded' into the second wine and so on.
Tasting Note:
Bright ruby red with a generous and enveloping bouquet displaying hints of violets, ripe bilberries and spice. The palate is generous and soft, full and velvety. The finish long and lingering.

Information on these and other wines can be found on the Enotria web site. Enotria is wholesaler and does not sell direct to the public. All of the above wines can be obtained from Simon Harrison.

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