Now more than ever is the right moment to support local businesses. Besides financial and volunteer contributions to favorite charities, purchasing items from “mom and pop” shops in your neighborhood (or wherever) is crucial. My husband and I have been diligent about having take-out lunches or dinners from some of our preferred restaurants, as well as those that we’ve now tried for the first time. Our discoveries have been delicious!
There’s another way to support small businesses as you’re enjoying your take-out dishes. Purchase your wine from Rock Paper Scissor Imports, a relative newcomer to the scene. Founded in the winter of 2019 and based in Saint Helena, California, the company is owned by Federico Parlagreco and Ashley Taranto, a Sicilian and Sicilian-American husband and wife team. They’re passionate about supporting family-owned winegrowers who produce small production, low-intervention Italian wines.
All of the wines the couple import are organic and natural. Wines are made without chemicals, additives of overly technological procedures. In their words “the result is a style of winemaking the way it was done thousands of years ago, creating unusual nuance and variation from vintage to vintage.”
Just recently, I had the opportunity to share three remarkable wines imported by Rock Paper Scissors Imports on a segment during Good Day Sacramento. How to elevate your take-out menu? Pair one of the following wines with your favorite dish! To make it that much easier and to support this small business, Rock Paper Scissors Imports is offering a 10% discount off your order when you use the code CIAOVINO at check out. Click here to see their portfolio and place your order.
Our first wine during the Good Day Sacramento segment was Radici e Filari ViV Metodo Ancestrale ($22), a sparkling wine that’s a blend of Arneis and Nebbiolo from the Piemonte region of northwest Italy. The estate has always been farmed organically and recently a transition was made to biodynamic farming. Production is only 4000 bottles a year. The Metodo Ancestrale was the technique to produce this sparkling wine. In essence, the primary fermentation is stopped before it’s complete, after which the bottle is capped with a crown. The wine naturally ferments a second time in the bottle. Thanks to sugars and yeast already in present, the process ends without adding and subtracting any other element. The wine isn’t filtered or clarified and has no additional sulfites added before bottling.
Photo Credit: Rock Paper Scissors Imports
On the nose I found enticing rose and acacia florals, raw almond and green apples. The soft, creamy palate offered flavors of citrus, lemon, ginger, toast and just the right amount of acidity to pair with sushi, French fries… (and soft cheeses while you wait for the delivery)! Why is it a lovely pairing? The yeasty notes and low sugar level play on the minerality and briny tastes of the sushi and the acidity cuts through the fat and salt of the French fries.
Thomas Niedermayr “16” Souvignier Gris 2018 ($26) is from the mountainous Alto Adige region in northern Italy. This small estate is only 5 hectares with a mere 2 hectares under vine. The vineyards have been organically farmed since the mid-1980s and since 2012, when a new generation took the helm, natural farming and natural winemaking began with vigor. About 3800 bottles are produced each year.
Photo Credit: Rock Paper Scissors Imports
Beautiful aromas of florals and citrus led to flavors of lush peaches, snappy citrus and sensation of minerality with vibrant acidity. Enjoy a few glasses with spicy chicken tacos, zesty Asian dishes, Thai curry, or lamb tagine from Morocco. Why? The brilliant acidity makes a swath through the spice and heat… and makes that take-out dish come alive!
Mangia! Di Bella Esperides Nero d’Avola 2017 ($22) is from a family winery in Sicily. Using minimally invasive cultivation techniques, one of the winery’s main vineyards is located in the countryside around Noto. The area is located only a few miles from the sea and is filled with abundant sunshine – it’s no wonder Nero d’Avola thrives there!
Photo Credit: Rock Paper Scissors Imports
Aromas of rich red fruit and gentle florals were a beautiful entry on this food friendly wine. On the palate, I found lush red and black berries, rich cherries, and hint of plums on a foundation of moderate acidity and firm tannins. The finish lingered and was a lip-smacking accompaniment to Mediterranean dishes. How about margherita pizza (my choice!), lasagna, eggplant parmesan, gyros or black bean burgers delivered with style? Delizioso!
Let’s not forget to support local businesses going forward. To receive 10% off of the wines highlighted in the Good Day Sacramento segment and profiled above, visit the Rock Paper Scissors Imports website here and enter the coupon code CIAOVINO at checkout. Thank you!
Cheers! ~ Cindy
For more Grape Experiences and a free infographic “4 Keys to a Stellar Wine Pick” click here.
