It’s Wednesday and you are already thinking about your weekend plans and perhaps which wines to purchase. Each Wednesday, I post two recommendations for your weekend wine choices which are under $20.00 – one white and one red. This week I continue to offer suggestions which are samples sent to me and are new releases from the estates of one of my favorites, Casa Vinicola Zonin. On October 19, I will be visiting their Barboursville Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia and will be writing a full report. But in the meantime, enjoy these choices as much as I have!!
**2011 Tenuta Ca’ Bolani Sauvignon – Paired with dinner’s lemon caper chicken and saffron rice, this Sauvignon Blanc from the Friuli Aquileia DOC region in the far northeastern corner of Italy was delicious. Pale lemon in color, this youthful wine made from grapes harvested by hand had distinct mineral like aromas which included pear, apricot, and…green peppers? I needed that first sip! High acidity, dry, and balanced, I loved the light body and tastes of more pear, stone fruits, and spice. This is not a French or New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc – it’s all Italy! Cost is a mere $13.00 for a taste you’ll remember!
**2011 Tenuta Ca’ Bolani Refosco – There may be a reason why Pliny the Elder praised wines produced from the Refosco grape – they are wonderful! This particular wine from the Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso grape, indigenous to Italy and one of three black grapes planted on the estate, was dark purple in color and had aromas of sweet spice, plums, and almond – quite different from wines I usually taste. On the palate, I enjoyed tastes of more plums and sweet spice, but with a touch of earth and red fruit. Its dry mouthfeel, fruit, alcohol of 13%, and soft tannins were balanced and this wine had a pleasant, lingering finish. I paired the Refosco with an antipasto platter and it was perfect! You can enjoy this wine now or cellar it for a few years…but at a price of around $13.00, I think I know what you’ll do!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
