Perth Area Wine Tasters
Previous Tasting
presented a selection of wines from Italy
White
Gavi 2012/2013, La Toledana
Origin: The white wines of the village of Gavi in Piedmont have been dubbed the Chablis of Italy, due to their fresh, steely minerality. Wines from the vineyards closest to the town are labelled Gavi di Gavi, and this one is made from late-harvested grapes.
Grape: Cortese
Taste: Ripe peach and pears with hints of citrus and a slight honeyed edge held together by steely minerality and a fresh acidity.
Enjoy: An ideal apéritif, this wine will also complement poached white fish with a rocket and cherry tomato salad.
Verdicchio di Matelica 2013, Poggio alle Rondini
Origin: Founded in 1971, the cooperative who make this wine are today the largest producer of Verdicchio in Matelica, a small commune in Italy's Marche region. Located inland of Jesi, its more famous neighbour, Matelica lies at higher altitudes yet experiences a warmer climate.
Grape: Verdicchio
Taste: A pale lemon colour, suggesting lightness and youth. The nose offers hints of acacia honey against a backdrop of citrus fruit. Dry and crisp, with a persistent finish.
Enjoy: Try this with the lightly spiced fish and seafood of the Adriatic coast.
Soave Classico 2012, Inama
Origin: The Inama estate was founded in 1960. Their Classico wine is made from Garganega grown on 17 acres of basaltic lava. The vines are up to 30 years old and are hand-harvested. Stainless steel fermentation is followed by up to eight months' maturation before bottling.
Grape: Garganega
Taste: From lower yields and the best slopes in the region this wine is generous, revealing apricots, honey, flowers and almonds. Generous acidity and a rich texture enforce the elegant finish this wine has.
Enjoy: Drinking now, but will be fine with another couple of years' ageing. The creamy finish lends itself perfectly to a match with fish pie.
Red
Vereto Salice Salentino 2010, Agricole Vallone
Origin: The town of Salice Salentino is right in the centre of Puglia, the 'heel' of Italy's 'boot'. Negroamaro is the region's principal red grape, a distant relative of the more famous Sangiovese, whose origins may even predate the arrival of early Greek settlers in Italy.
Grape: Negroamaro (vegetarian)
Taste: Deep and intense ruby-purple, with an intensely fruity aromatic profile, supported by savoury balsamic and spice notes. Firm palate texture provides good length.
Enjoy: Pair with rustic stews of red meat such as lamb with pungent herbs.
Fonterutoli Chianti Classico 2011, Mazzei
Origin: Owned by the Mazzei family since 1435, Fonterutoli is a tiny village to the south of Castellina, and is little changed from its original form. The soils here are so rocky that Fonterutoli's wines have earned the nickname 'vino dei sassi' od 'wine from rocks'.
Grape: Sangiovese
Taste: A well-proportioned wine with an elegant body of dark berry fruit and aromas of fresh spice. The intense raspberry and bitter cherry fruit are lifted by taut acidity and lithe tannins.
Enjoy: Partner with pork tenderloin and Mediterranean style roasted vegetables.
Barbera d'Alba Villa de Forville 2012, De Forville
Origin: The Piedmont region of Northern Italy, surrounded by the Alps, is home to Italy's third most planted grape variety - Barbera. Barbera d'Asti has the most vines, with many of the vineyards planted on the lower slopes and in sheltered areas resulting in fresher styles.
Grape: Barbera (vegetarian)
Taste: Intense aromas of red cherries, vanilla, rose petals and spice leap from the glass, with the intense, powerful palate exhibiting an elegant balance of fruit and tannin to a long, smooth and crisp finish.
Enjoy: Drinkable now, matched with salumi or antipasti, or aged for up to 6 years. The wine will benefit from being decanted before drinking.
Amarone Classico 'Vigneti di Roccolo" 2010/2011, Cantina Negrar
Origin: From the Veneto region of northwestern Italy, Amarone della Valpolicella is a blend of the Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara grape varieties. Grapes for the wine were dried on straw mats, increasing the sugar concentration, before being fermented and aged in oak barrels.
Grapes: Corvina, Molinara, Rondinella
Taste: Brooding, deep, intense aromas of Christmas cake, chocolate, cinnamon, sweet fruits and spice. The concentrated palate offers a thick texture and soft velvety tannins, very rich fruit characteristics.
Enjoy: A wine that can age for up to 5 years or be enjoyed right now, particularly with game, rich pasta, tomato flavoured sauces and cheeses.
Details of these wines can be found on the Majestic web site
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