Ciao Bella! Care to take a road trip through the vines of Italy with us? With 20 distinct regions, countless sub-regions and over 2,000 grape varieties, Italy has a lot to offer when it comes to delivering delicious wines, and we have three new ones to share with you. These wines are available in limited quantities, so stock up before they’re finito!
Lot 181 Barbaresco, DOCG Italy 2016
Starting in northwest Italy, let’s stop by the Piedmont region where our new Lot 181 Barbaresco, a 100% Nebbiolo wine, is grown and harvested from hillside vineyards. This region sits between the Alps and the Mediterranean Sea where the interplay of the warm sun and cool alpine air allows the late ripening Nebbiolo to achieve full flavor ripeness with perfumed aromas, a firm texture and brilliant freshness.
Nebbiolo is an elegant red grape that is a perfect food wine. The great thing about it is you don’t need to go too crazy trying to find that perfect pairing as it goes well with many dishes. Planning a stay at home pasta dinner date night? If you have a bottle of Barbaresco on deck, you can’t go wrong pairing it with whatever al dente dish you’re creating!
GRAPE: 100% Nebbiolo
AROMA & TASTE: fresh cherries, violet, light toast, hint of smoke
PAIR: beef tenderloin with roasted garlic, medley of assorted cheeses
FUN FACT: Along with Brunello and Barolo, Barbaresco completes the Italian wine trio known as the “Killer Bs.”
Lot 182 Roero Arneis, DOCG Italy 2018
Next stop, Roero! In the heart of Piedmont, just to the northeast of the town of Alba is where our new Lot 182 Roero Arneis, a floral and lively white reserve wine, is grown. Arneis is a low yielding white grape native to Northwest Italy that is fond of the sandy soils of Roero. The cool climate of the region produces dry and aromatic characters, so these wines are best consumed fresh and young.
If you’re looking for a new white wine to try that offers similar characteristics to Pinot Grigio, Arneis is a great alternative. This reserve is one you do not want to miss.
GRAPE: 100% Arneis
AROMA & TASTE: fresh citrus, slight nuttiness, peach, honeysuckle
PAIR: creamy herbed pasta dishes, roasted/grilled fish
FUN FACT: If you need another reason to give this wine a try, Arneis has earned the nickname “Barolo Bianco”, or “White Barolo,” so you know it’s going to be delizioso.
Lot 90 Rosso Toscana, Italy 2017
Let’s finish off our Italian road trip with a little warm sunshine and sea breeze in Coastal Tuscany, where we’ll find an oldie but goodie in the form of new vintage Lot 90 Rosso. Meet us where climate enables the mid- to late-stage ripening Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot to achieve balanced ripeness and acidity, resulting in highly concentrated wines for long aging. The wines grown in this climate are made from French grapes and are Tuscany’s answer to the great wines of Bordeaux – new vintage Lot 90 Rosso is no exception.
Collector’s Series Rosso Toscana is the perfect red to stay cozy with all winter long… but it’s ok if you find yourself daydreaming of warmer days in coastal Tuscany with a tan and Rosso in hand.
GRAPE: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Petit Verdot
AROMA & TASTE: dark chocolate, black currant, plum, vanilla and cedar, full body, ripe dark fruit, round lush tannins
PAIR: grilled lamb chops and rosemary, smoky eggplant purée
FUN FACT: Wines made from French grapes in the warm, coastal areas of Tuscany are often described as “Super Tuscan.” They’re also super delicious!