Know Your Vino

Worden’s has put together three excellent Italian wines in a 3-pack special they are offering during the month of March. All of these wines are superb and being offered at great value of $49.99 for the 3-pack, reg. $63.97.

Many Italian wines have become expensive over the past 5 years and somewhat hard to find, especially the affordable ones. This is a great opportunity to experience Italian wines and gain a better understanding of their style, terroir and grapes as each of these bottles are very different in style from one another.

Brancaia “Tre” Rosso Toscano (Tuscany)
There are “tre” (”three” in Italian) reasons for the name of this outstanding red. The first reason is that it is the third wine created by the prestigious Brancaia estate. The second reason it that it is made with grapes from all three of the Brancaia estate’s vineyards (two are located in the heart of Chianti Classico, the third is to the south and west in Tuscany’s famous “Morellino di Scansano” growing area). The third reason is that it is a typical “super Tuscan” blend of three grapes, sangiovese (about 80%) with about 10% each of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. This wine, made by one of Tuscany’s most renowned winemakers, Carlo Ferrini, is great every year. But there is something special about the 2007 (as you might have guessed from the 93 point score, the highest rating ever for this wine).

Here is the review from the Wine Spectator: “There’s wonderful intensity of fruit in this wine, with crushed raspberry and blackberry and hints of coffee and fresh flowers. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long, soft-textured finish that shows loads of fruit. Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Best after 2010. 93 points (Outstanding, a wine of superior character and style.)” James Suckling, The Wine Spectator, Oct. 31, 2009.

2007 Monchiero Carbone Nebbiolo Regret (Piedmont)
The Regret is 100% Nebbiolo, the grape of the esteemed Barolo. The grapes are femented using traditional Piemontese practice with maceration on the skins for at least 2 weeks. The wine is then drawn off into small oak barrels where it undergoes malolactic fermentation, followed by six months of barrel age. The nose is flowery and fruit driven and its flavors are ample but well-balanced. You will find complex aromas of tar, cloves, wild game, leather, with stewed cherries and some floral notes. Round and fruit-forward on the palate of dark black cherries. Strong tannins softened with some time in the glass give way to a long, fruity and gamey finish.

2007 Filippo Gallino Barbera d’Alba (Piedmont)
From the Canale area of Piedmont and made from 100% Barbera, this Barbera d’Alba immediately reveals its intense rub-red color in the glass, along with the fresh bouquet of black and red fruit with undertones of violet, herbs and tar. It is very fragrant and full-bodied on the palate with flavors of black berries, prune and fennel.
“This is a superb wine, perhaps a little rustic, but you will be won over by its great personality” – Vini d’Italia 2000.