The Cellar: Italian Finds Under $20

The Cellar: Italian Finds Under $20

This week we are back in Italy to take examine two very different wines. The first one is a semi-sparkling that I think a lot of you will like. It is light, extremely fresh, slightly sweet and low in alcohol, so even grandma can have some. The second one is a classic Italian food wine made primarily from a grape varietal that I challenge you to say out loud ten times quickly—Chiavennasca. (It’s actually the same grape as Nebbiolo, but the local name is much more fun to pronounce.) Both wines are assigned the highest quality assurance label (DOCG), which requires them to be made in a specified region using defined methods and satisfy a defined quality standard. 

2009 Saracco Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Moscato d’Asti is a deliciously light sparkling wine that works great as an aperitif or as an after-dinner dessert wine. Because most Moscato d’Asti’s are priced well under $20 (but taste really good) I consider them to

be great values. Moscato d’Asti must be made from 100% Moscato Bianco grapes. Most of the wine is made in and around the small town of Asti located in Italy’s northwestern region of Piedmont. Moscato d’Astis are made frizzante (slightly sparkling), as opposed to most other sparkling wines that are made spumante (fully sparkling). These wines are also sweeter and lower in alcohol than most other sparkling wines, typically no more than 6.5%.

Moscato d’Astis are difficult not to love, especially this week’s pick: the 2009 vintage from Saracco, which was awarded 90 points from wine critic Robert Parker. This wine is deliciously fresh and fruity—elegantly smooth on the palate and has a remarkably long finish. It is very aromatic wine which exudes delicious flowers, peaches, pears and hints of apricot. Slightly sweet but well-balanced with finishing acidity.

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2006 Quadrio Valtellina Superiore DOCG

When Valtellina Superiore wines were upgraded to their current DOCG status in 1998, winemakers were forced to meet a slew of new production requirements. For example, they had to lower their yields, increase the natural sugar levels in their grapes before harvesting them and age their wines longer prior to being released to the public. Valtellina Superiore wines must be made from at least 90% Chiavennasca (the local

name for Nebbiolo) grapes sourced from vineyards in five specific villages in Northern Lombardy. The remaining 10% can be one of or a blend of four other varieties.

The 10% in the 2006 Quadrio Valtellina Superiore is Merlot. After blending the two together the wine spent 18 months in (what I only can imagine are humongous) 2,000 gallon-Slovenian oak vats. The result makes for a different kind of wine. At almost $20 this is a wine I only suggest you try out if you are the kind out wine aficionado that likes ‘dirty’ wines. The reason I say this is because the primary flavor is that of a lot of young Nebbiolos: Tar! – with some red fruits mashed in it. There are mouth-drying tannins in this wine as well making it extra delicious. I am a huge fan of Nebbiolo, but I recognize that not everyone is. Try this wine if you like to try something new – and make sure you have something to eat with it.  

Enjoy!

Coming Up: An Evening With Wine

On Tuesday December 27th at 630pm I will be hosting an Evening with Wine in the roof-top Garden Room of the Peerless Building. Come explore 5 examples of top quality sparkling wine (Champagnes, Cremants, Cavas, Proseccos, etc.) in a fun and relaxing atmosphere while overlooking Providence’s beautiful skyline. Be sure to purchase your ticket today as seating is limited to a mere 20. For more information click here.

Steffen Rasch CSW is ready to answer any wine-related questions, comments or concerns you may have. Feel free to email him at [email protected]. And as always, don’t forget to follow GoLocalProv’s Wine Cellar on Facebook.

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