I'm feeling a bit spoiled because we had a wine tasting during our class with a Sommelier from Bari. We also enjoyed a three course lunch with wine to pair (no spitting allowed). We learned that Italy is keen on producing Green Wines, those that are organic, biodynamic, and natural wines. We also reviewed the Charmat and Champenoise methods of sparkling wine production then tasting a wine made from each method. I would like to share some of my notes from the 5 wines we tasted and perhaps you can seek them out yourselves! 

 Cuve Vivon Cartizze (Blanc de Blanc); Proscco di Conegliano Valdobbadene.

Grapes: Corvina, Corvina Veronese, Glera (Prosecco)

***Lovely sparking wine! A bit sweet on the palette and could be served as an apertif if you desire. It also makes you salivate nicely.

~Color: straw       ~Aroma: white peach         ~Mouthfeel: high acidity

~Best Paired With: hard cheeses

 

 Conte Aimo Blanc de Noir; Sparkling Franciacorta

Grape: Pinot Nero

***This wine is a bit more dry and is definitely a great apertif. Not my favorite due to how dry it is, but I did enjoy the effervescent. 

~Color: straw yellow      ~ Aroma: pineapple and pear    ~Age: 5 months

~Temperature to serve at: 43-47 degrees      

   ~Aftertaste: very yeasty (tasted like I had a piece of crusty bread in my mouth)

   ~Best paired with: seafood

Fiano Salento Roycello 2016: From Salento Italy; Tomaresca Winey

Grape: Fiano

***This is a great wine to drink with orecchiette and broccoli rabe. The wine is fairly soft and mellows out the intense, bitter flavor of the greens. 

~Color: green hues/ straw yellow    ~Aroma: green fruit & fresh herbs   

~Mouthfeel: soft on the palette     

~Best paired with: orecchiette and broccoli rabe

 

Salice Salentino Riserva 2009; from Salento Italy

Grape: Malvasia Nera and Negroamaro

*** This was a very strong wine and definitely not my favorite. I tend to lean away from red wines and more towards the bubbles.

~Color: deep red with hint of orange     ~Aroma: molasses

  ~Mouthfeel: pungent

~Best paired with: roasted baby lamb and roasted potatoes 

Asti 2011 from Piemonte

Grape: Moscato

***My favorite was saved for last, of course! This wine is so sweet and spritzy. I love the viscosity of it too; its almost like simple syrup. Many will say that sweet wines are best for those who are just learning to appreciate wine, but they are my favorite regardless. 

~Color: white gold        ~Aroma: peach

 ~Taste: peaches that have been poached in syrup      

~Temperature Served: 43- 47 degrees

Best paired with: pastichoto