WINE TASTING: Conti di Buscareto from Marche, Italy

FRI. Nov. 6, 4:30-6:30pm Concord
Sat. Nov. 7, 4-6pm Belmont
with Mr. Claudio Luconi, director

Claudio Luconi from at the Conti di Buscareto estate in Italy’s Marche region, will be in the Belmont store on Saturday, Nov. 7, 4-6pm. Claudio will present and discuss the featured wines:

2007 CONTI di BUSCARETO Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Ammazzaconte” $22
Luscious, late-harvest verdicchio

2006 CONTI di BUSCARETO Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi “Ammazzaconte” Special price on 6-pak at tasting: $16.99/bottle

2007 CONTI di BUSCARETO Lacrimo di Morro d’Alba Rosso $17.99
Aromatic red with soft plum fruit

2008 CONTI di BUSCARETO Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi $13.99 Crisp, complex, great minerality

WINE DOG DEALS!
“Ferdy the Wine Dog” sniffs out the good deals!

2007 VILLA ROSA “Poggio al Rovi” Toscano Rosso $11.99 (red)
We’re faced with many decisions when it comes to buying wine, some very basic; ” Does the wine taste good? Is it worth the money? Will people be happy with it? Will they come back for more? These are all issues that we consider with regard to our customers. Regarding the producer there are other questions to consider. Is the wine unique? Is it authentic or is it an approximation of the genuine article? Was the wine created to supply a vague world demand for a certain style? Or was it simply made, the way wine has always be made, for generations, for millennia, true and pure. A real wine. 

2007 VALLE REALE Trebbiano d’Abruzzo $12.99 (white) The Pozzoli family is proud of their vineyards located in the “green heart” of Abruzzo, on the hillsides above the hot coastal plains. Valle Reale vines benefit from a cooler microclimate with calcareous soil rich in fossil material, more extreme temperatures and longer maturation of the grapes. The trebbiano has a late-harvest quality, a little richer, ripe orchard fruit, supported by underlying minerality and salinity. A tremendously satisfying white for the money!

WINE TASTING: Sat. Oct. 17, 3-6pm Belmont
Chateauneuf du Pape & Alto Adige

An odd couple indeed — Rhone & Alto Adige. Yet, both of these regions strongly rely on aromatics to set the stage for what’s to come. From the pristine Alps to the rugged mountains surrounding the Rhone valley, these whites and reds deliver!

ABBAZIA di NOVACELLA (Photo: Celestino Lucin, 2009 Winemaker of the Year from Gambero Rosso)
“Abbazia di Novacella in Alto Adige is located in one of the most breathtakingly beautiful corners of Italy. In particular, the wines made from indigenous varieties are well worth seeking out. These wines beautifully express the unique qualities of their respective varieties and the unique Valle Isarco terroir.”–WA

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Pinot Grigio $22
“The 2007 Pinot Grigio is a delicate, perfumed white with well-articulated fruit and pretty aromatics.”–WA

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Sylvaner $22  Reveals lovely detail and nuance in a layered expression of fruit. Admirable length and complexity.

2007 ABBAZIA dI NOVACELLA Kerner $25  “It beautifully marries the detail that many of these wines have with a ripe, generous expression of fruit. Citrus peel, melon, spices and mint are just some of the notes that can be found in this beautiful, absolutely delicious white.” –WA

REDS- CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE
2006 DOM. MONPERTUIS Chateauneuf du Pape $45
“Fresh red berries on the nose, with complicating notes of rose, lavender and smoky minerals. Gains power on the broad, penetrating finish while maintaining freshness and clarity.”–IWA

2006 LE VIEUX DONJON Chateauneuf du Pape $69
“Intensely perfumed aromas of Asian spices, garrigue, red berries, smoke and minerals. This elegant wine calls to mind pinot noir in its weight and texture. Sweet, palate-staining raspberry and cherry flavors are enlivened by juicy acidity. Very pure and seductive wine with no gamey qualities and a long, sweet finish.”–IWA

2005 CLOS du MONT OLIVET “La Cuvee du Papet” $68
“(95% grenache and 5% mourvedre) Inky ruby. Stunningly fragrant bouquet of fresh red berries, cherry, minerals, Asian spices and fresh flowers; with its combination of power and purity, this smells like a Musigny. Deeply concentrated raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by anise, cinnamon and floral pastille, with big but interwoven tannins adding grip. Finishes with outstanding silky persistence and a strong red berry character. 94 pts.” -IWA

WINE DOG DEAL: Stylish white

WINE DOG DEAL: Liguria
2006 COLLE dei BARDELLINI Vermentino “U Munte” $17.99
Travel to the lovely Ligurian coast with this fresh, sea-breeze vermentino from the gentle slopes of the Ponente.
2006 COLLE dei BARDELLINI Vermentino “Vigna U Munte” Reg. $25; Spec. $17.99 (15% off six pack = $15.29/bottle. Lots of freshness with cedar and citrus aromas, med.-full-bodied, a perfect companion to anything from the ocean, and much else!

WINE DOG DEAL: Veneto
Angiolino Maule “Masieri” $10.99
Biodynamic Bargain

2005 La Biancara di ANGIOLINO MAULE “I Masieri” Bianco $10.99
Angiolino’s estate, in the hamlet of Biancara, now covers about 9 ha planted principally to Garganega. For more than 16 years now, he has used biodynamic viticulture, as well as non-interventionist vinification using natural yeasts, and without temperature control or fining/filtration. “I Masieri Bianco” is 100% Garganega from the Masieri vineyard aged in stainless steel tanks — a fresh, crsip, authentic expression of grape and place. It’s why we love wine!

WINE TASTING: SAT. SEPT 12, 2-5pm Belmont

CASTELVECCHIO WINES, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Harsh terroir gives rise to expressive wines
VINTAGES EXCLUSIVES
New releases –and VINTAGES Exclusives-- from Italy’s northeast region of Gorizia near the Slovenian border. The Terraneo family has cultivated this estate for 20 years, revealing the potential for wines of admirable character. CASTELVECCHIO whites & reds have a distinct personality all their own; engaging aromas and textures with a spicy minerality from the “karst” soil and harsh climate of this Carso appellation. Definitely a cut above– all exclusive to VINTAGES! 

2008 CASTELVECCHIO Pinot Grigio Carso $19.99 Exuberant, tightly-wound style of Pinot Grigio with underlying chalky minerality and vibrant acidity. A Pinot Grigio with oomph!

2008 CASTELVECCHIO Malvasia Istriana $19.99
Compelling white wine with notes of herbs and honeycomb with waxy, sappy fruit, and a very lively personality. A great pairing with a range of foods from light pastas to Thai and Asian dishes.

2008 CASTELVECCHIO Sauvignon Blanc $19.99
Classic Sauvignon Blanc bracingly crisp, steely wine. Deliocate and austere SB character. Tightly wound.

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Summer Sippers: VINTAGES EXCLUSIVES
2008 OTTELLA “RosesRoses” $14.99

2008 ADAMI PROSECCO Giardino “Tranquillo” $17.99 –bubble-free Prosecco!
Top Prosecco estate ADAMI breaks new ground with a “still” version of their wine from their excellent Giardino vineyard. Surprised? Tasting is believing! Delicate aromas and flavors, fresh, with flavors of green apple. An ideal wine for lighter meals, fish and as an aperitif, it is also pleasant to sip between meals. An all-day summer wine!

CASTELVECCHIO WINES, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Harsh terroir gives rise to expressive wines
VINTAGES EXCLUSIVES
New releases –and VINTAGES Exclusives-- from Italy’s northeast region of Gorizia near the Slovenian border. Enjoyed for their very expressive and distinctive style with a spicy, mineral note from the “karst” soil and harsh climate of this Carso appellation.  Definitely a cut above– all exclusive to VINTAGES

NEW! 2006 CASTELVECCHIO Cabernet $30
The Terraneo family from Castelvecchio considers their Cabernet to be their most important wine contribution. Rich, smooth and elegant, with mineral underpinning. Refreshing maritime influence, dry climate allows natural viticulture. Enjoy with summer’s grilled meats and spicy flavors.

“Naturally Complex”– I CLIVI

2004 I CLIVI Bianco Degli Arzillari Venezia Giulia $14.99
Out of the Friulian hinterlands of northeast Italy— more natural magic from the cellars of I CLIVI. Father and son Ferdinando and Mario Zanusso offer a new bottling of Verduzzo, an indigenous, native grape from 60-year-old vines in the Arzillari vineyard. Fully-ripened grapes from low-yield vines lend a depth and concentration to this unusual and compelling white wine. Organic cultivation in the vineyard and non-interventionist, artisanal winemaking ensure the absolute integrity of this hand-crafted, long-lasting wine. Among the flavors are fennel, dried apricot, hay, savory qualities. Aged on its lees, Arzillari Verduzzo has a deep golden color and wonderful texture–truly a white for red wine lovers — great texture, grip, and tannic structure.
Only 2000 bottles made. Rare, distinctive AND affordable– wine adventures and value, only at VINTAGES.