The Cellar: New Year’s Eve Italian Style

Monday, December 29, 2014

 

New Year’s Eve is this week and if you’re looking for recommendations for what to pour look no further than Italy. This week I will be featuring a versatile and very food-friendly red wine, as well as a festive sparkling wine that is both delicious and inexpensive.  

Pour Away

View Larger +

While Champagne definitely has it place on New Year’s Eve few of us can afford to pour it all night long. For that you will need a delicious alternative that offers great satisfaction as well as value. My ‘all night pour’ this year is going to be Valdo’s festive ‘Marca Oro’ Brut Rose.  Priced somewhere between $10 and $15 per bottle this Spumante is absolutely worth every penny. While technically not a Prosecco (the laws do not yet allow for the production of Prosecco Rose), this is arguably as close as you can come as the wine is made the same way and from (partially) the same grapes that Prosecco is made from. The base blend of this Rose is Glera, with the dark skinned grape variety Nerello Mascalese added for color. After a soft pressing the juices are co-fermented. It then goes into stainless steel tanks where it undergoes a second fermentation (Charmat Style) for 3 months. The result is a light, crisp and delicious sparkling wine that hard to resist. Deliciously frothy with sweet raspberries, strawberries and splash of lemon juice on the refreshing finish.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

A serious food-friendly Red.

Whether you are passing around sliders, doing a family style pot roast or going upscale with filet mignon you can rest assured that Italy also has the red wine you need. One of my go-to regions for food-friendly Italian wines is Tuscany where the high acidity and spicy berries commonly found in the Sangiovese based wines of Chianti makes for great food partners. But since this is a special holiday I think it is appropriate to step things up a notch and splurge on a special bottle of Chianti. This week’s featured example is Nipozzano’s $30ish 2011 ‘Vecchie Viti’ Riserva Chianti Rufina. Rufina is the smallest of the seven sub-zones of Chianti proper, as well as the youngest. Interestingly, Rufina was originally a part of the ‘Chianti Classico’ region until 1996 when it was awarded its own DOCG status. 

View Larger +

All Chinati wines must be made from at least 70% Sangiovese. The native grape varieties Canaiolo, Colorino, Trebbiano and Malvasia are also allowed, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. While basic Chianti only has to age for four months Chiantis labeled ‘Riserva’ must undergo 24 months of aging before it can be released. Frescobaldi’s 2011 Veccie Viti is a blend of 90% low yielding, hand harvested, old-vine Sangiovese with 10% Malvasia, Colorino and Canaiolo. All of the grapes are sourced from Castillo di Nipozzano 50 acre Estate vineyard and the wine was aged for 24 months in oak casks and 2 months in bottle. The result is an absolutely delicious wine. After having been aerated for an hour the full-bodied wine really starts to open up displaying rich and ripe red fruits, roses, cloves and hints of bitter chocolate and sweet vanilla. Just gorgeous. 

Cheers,

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related question or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.

 

Related Slideshow: Rhode Island’s Best Wineries

View Larger +
Prev Next

Newport Mansions Wine and Food Festival, Newport

This is the Rhode Island festival that all others are judged against. Newport Mansions Wine and Food is in its ninth year of bringing together sublime food talent in a gorgeous Newport setting. This year is no different as the main headliners are Martha Stewart and Sara Moulton. They don't stop there though...imagine hundreds of wines to be sampled on the lawn of Marble House, tasty treats from lots of local restaurants, and appearances by local chefs like Champe Speidel preparing and serving their creations. You've got a bona fide classic! Tickets starts at $135. www.newportmansions.org

View Larger +
Prev Next

Newport Vineyards, Middletown

This vineyard was originally planted in 1977 with the goal of preserving the coastal land. Captain Richard Alexander planted 10 acres of French-American grapes in 1977 with the help of his family, friends, and neighbors. In 1988, in partnership with the Nunes family, Captain Alexander established his first winery. In 2002, the land was placed into perpetual preservation through a partnership between the Nunes Family, the Aquidneck Land Trust, and the State of Rhode Island.

Tours and tastings occur Sunday – Friday at 1 and 3 p.m. and hourly on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. $12 per person for 5 samples; $15 per person for 5 samples plus signature glass. 909 East Main Rd. 848-5161,www.newportvineyards.com

View Larger +
Prev Next

Greenvale Vineyards, Portsmouth

Located along the beautiful Sakonnet River, Greenvale Vineyards has been in the family since 1863 and is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places. Cortlandt Parker, the farm’s fourth generation, and his wife Nancy started to grow grapes here as a hobby in the 1960’s.  In the early 80’s, the Parkers decided to embark on the development of a commercial vineyard. The focus is on conservation of open space, preservation of historic buildings and the education of its visitors. Tastings occur daily and cost $12 for 7 varietals; tours are daily at 2 p.m. and are *$15 per person for the tour and tasting. 582 Wapping Rd. 847-3777, http://www.greenvale.com

View Larger +
Prev Next

Langworthy Farm Winery, Westerly

Langworthy Farm was built in 1875 on the historical home site of Governor Samuel Ward. Owners Joe and Gail Sharry first planted vinifera grape vines in 2002 and produced the first barrel of Chardonnay in stainless steel that same year. They now produce more than a dozen varietals, including 7 reds. Alongside the vineyard is a Victorian farmhouse bed and breakfast that the Sharrys operate in season. Meals, of course, are always paired with house wines.

Tastings run daily from July 4 through Labor Day and are $7 per person for 5 wines. 308 Shore Rd. 322-7791, http://www.langworthyfarm.com

View Larger +
Prev Next

Carolyn's Sakonnet Vineyards, Little Compton

A popular and iconic Rhode Island vineyard, Sakonnet was founded in 1975 and for over 30 years has pioneered the production of fine wines in New England. Several vinifera varietals including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and the unique hybrid Vidal Blanc are grown, and Sakonnet also produces an award-winning Sparkling wine. This is Rhode Island’s largest vineyard, producing upwards of 30,000 cases annually.

Tours and tastings occur daily between noon and 3 and are $10. There is also a café and outdoor seating. 162 West Main Rd. 635-8486, http://www.sakonnetwine.com

 
 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook