Winephabet Street Season 3: Episode 6 - F is for Frappato

Welcome to Winephabet Street Season 3,  Episode 6- F is for Frappato. In this episode of Winephabet Street, we talk about the Frappato grape with Pietro Russo, the winemaker at DonnaFugata Winery.

Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Draceana Wines and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine, and hang out with us.

The Frappato grape is grown in the southeastern coast of Sicily. It produces a wine that is low in tannins and light bodied. It is bottled as a single varietal and used as a blending grape with Nero d’Avola.

Pietro talks with us all about the Frappato grape and the estates of Donnafugata. One of the items discussed is that s Frappato does very well with climate change.

We got to taste Donnafugata 2020 Bell’Assai Vittoria DOC Frappato. The name Bell’Assai is the noble family of Vittoria. The wine is 40% Frappato and 60% Nero d’Avola. Beautiful rose petal and floral freshness with hits of lavender, strawberries, and a soft, delicate spice finish.

I invite you to watch the webinar or listen to the podcast. You will be reaching for a bottle of Frappato! 

 PS. It will go well with your Thanksgiving dinner.

Webinar   

Podcast

Brachetto - Spring Sweetness and Bubbles

It’s Spring, and this bottle of Acquesi Brachetto says it all. Just looking at the beautiful design of the bottle makes me smile and think of warm weather and bubbles.

Brachetto is a black-skinned Italian grape grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. The grape is usually produced as sparkling wine and low in alcohol. Rules around making wine with this grape is the wine needs to be 100% Brachetto. For two days, the grapes are macerated (sit on the skins and seeds). During this time, the color and flavors are extracted from the grapes.

Brachetto does have a level of sweetness. If you like your wine on the sweeter side, you will like this. If you are looking for a nice wine with personality with your berry pie, strawberry shortcake or fruit cup, this is the wine for the pairing.

Acquesi Brachetto D’Acqui DOC $13.99

Tasting notes: Beautiful garnet red in color - fresh mountain sweetness on the nose with hints of strawberry, juicy red raspberry and lilacs. It is frizzante, so the bubbles are light.

The palate is sweet and bursting with red fruit with a hint of anise spice on the finish. Low in alcohol at only 6.5%

This wine will pair well with chocolate and berry desserts. Or as a Sunday afternoon sparkling at the beach or pool.

Experience Trentodoc: Italian Sparkling Wines From The Mountains

There is a world of Sparkling Wines out there produced in the Methode Champenoise also known as Classic Method or Metodo Classico in Italy. Located just a few hours north of Venice is the Trentodoc appellation in Italy where Sparkling Wines are made in the mountains.

The history of Sparkling Wine production in Trentino dates back 150 years when Giulio Ferrari started his first production of Method Classico. In 1993 the appellation achieved the DOC and this was the first DOC in Italy established for producing a champenoise sparkling wine. The vineyards are found at 900 meters above sea level. It is the only place in the world where champenoise sparkling wine is produced in a mountain environment.

In 2007 there was a collective territorial trademark created exclusively for the method sparkling wine produced in Trentino. The wine must be produced exclusively with Trentino grapes. These grapes are Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Meunier. To be able to put Trentodoc on the bottle, the winery must submit the wine to the Chamber of Commerce committee for evaluation. Then they can become a member of the Istituto Trento Doc. Then they can put the trademark on the bottle. There are 180 labels that carry this trademark seal with 63 sparkling wine producers producing 9 million bottles.

Trentodoc wines can be produced as white or rose Brut, Millesimato or Riserva.

Brut: 15 months aging on lees

Millesimato: 24 months aging on its lees

Riserva: 36 months aging on lees

I had the opportunity to sample Cesarini Sforza Brut Rose 85% Chardonnay and 15% Pinot Noir. Honestly, it was the first sparkling wine I’ve tasted from this region and it was amazing. The crispness of the mountain air and freshness is expressed all throughout this wine from the aroma to the palate to the finish. There is a hint of brioche on the nose with some raspberries dancing in the back. The palate was fresh and elegant with mouth-watering acidity, fresh red fruit and hints of tangerine.

Prices for Sparkling Wine produced in this region range from $20 to $40. You won’t be disappointed.

Yes There Is Wine in Campania: Donnachiara Wines

On the first Friday in November, Happy Hour came early at 3pm with Donnachiara wines and Ilaria Petitto on Winestudio.

Winestudio is a program I have had the privilege to participate in for many years. It has been so instrumental in my wine journey. It has allowed me to to learn, taste and understand wines that I would have never reached for as well as meet winemakers and winery owners. This in turn has allowed me to share this knowledge with you.

This beautiful Friday afternoon I sat out on my deck sipping on two of Donnachiara wines while chatting with Ilaria Petitto and learning about her wine journey and wines.

Donnachiara is located in the province of Avellino in the Campania region of southern Italy. The winery was founded in 2005 by Ilaria’s mother Chiara producing wine from ancient vineyards. In 2008 Ilaria left her Italian Notary position (attorney) and joined her mother taking the winery from 10,000 bottle production to 200,000 bottle production today. (16,666 cases)

The road wasn’t always easy, working with your mother can be difficult. Two headstrong women, Ilaria ideas on the wine business, labels and policy were different than her mothers. In the end, love and respect win out. Today Ilaria is the face of the winery and you can just see the love and passion in her face and expressions. She also talks about the challenges she faces. It’s not all fun and wine. “Making wine is challenging because you are working with nature. Weather is changing a lot, we are getting hail and frost every year. Can’t control the weather.” It is something facing may wine regions.

The winery focus is producing DOCG wines, the highest classification in Italy, on the slopes of Montefalcione. They produce Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo and Taurasi. These wines are worth seeking out! What I really love about the two wines I got to sample (besides how good they were) was the word cloud on the label. That tells you so much about the wine! Best is these wines are under $20, both the reds and the whites. The two below are the white wines I sampled.

2019 Empatia - Fiano do Avellino DOCG - What a beautiful fresh wine with nice minerality full of tropical fruit and white citrus. Very soft and creamy on the palate with bright acidity.

2018 Aletheia Greco di Tufo DOCG - This wine is their best seller! The wine does age on its lees for a year. A little bit more full-bodied with strong mineral notes and flavors of pear and pineapple fill your palate.

Donnachiara exports 60% of their wine production and you can find it at Total Wine.

Turbiana - The Grape & the Wine

Picture yourself on the shores of Lake Garda, in the Lugana appellation sipping on the mysterious and expressive Turbiana grape. Lugana is small, only 7 miles wide and 13 miles long. There is approximately 22 million bottles of wine produced in this small appellation every year and 70% of the wine is exported.

Turbiana, a grape grown in Lugana, also known as Trebbiano di Lugana and is related to its cousins Trebbiano di Soave and Verdicchio. Turbiana is a medium sized grape that grows in a compact bunch that is long pyramidal shape with berries spheroid in shape. The skins are thick and the pulp is loose and juicy.

The soil the grapes grow in a clays of morainic origin. They are mostly rich in mineral salts and the hillier terrain becomes sandy. The soil reflects in the wine giving the grape it’s unique characteristics and qualities. Clean with powerful aromas, white flowers, hints of almonds, citrus, salinity nice acidity and well balanced. An elegant white wine.

There are 5 styles of Lugana wine we’ll go a little more in-depth with.

Lugana Vintage - Stainless steel is used with no maturation of the grapes. The wine is usually released a few months after harvest. Some producers are experimenting with aging the wine on the lees and batonnage (stirring the lees back into the wine). Vintage Lugana wine characteristics are pale straw yellow in color. Floral aromas with a hint of almonds. The palate is fresh with citrus notes. Will age 2 - 3 years in cellar

Lugana Superiore - was introduced in 1998. There is some use of oak as well as a combination of oak and stainless steel. There is a trend to age “sur lie” which will give it a rounder complex mouth-feel. The tasting profile is a little more complex than the vintage version. The wine has to age for at least one year after harvest. Lugana Superiore wines have a more golden hue with aromas of wild herbs, apples and citrus fruits, especially orange. If wood is used you will find notes of hazelnuts or spices. Has the ability to age up to 10 years.

Lugana Riserva - The Riserva has to age for at least 24 months with 6 months just in the bottle. This wine has a brighter hue and is more evolved. You’ll find complex aromas with notes of flint, some smokiness and balsamic. You will find more mineral notes on the palate. This wine also, has the ability to age up to 10 years.

Lugana Spumante - Produced in the Charmat method (second fermentation in tank) that produces a crisp citrus infused profile or produced Metodo Classico where it’s more refined and complex, creamier with a more graceful perlage.

Lugana Vendemmia Tardiva - This is a very special and different wine. The grapes for this wine remain on the vine until late October, early November. They are stored until dried, then pressed. The grapes are richer and concentrated. The wine profile is softer and thicker but not excessively sweet. The sweetness is balanced by the acidity.

Wines- Should be noted that most Lugana wines are priced between $18 and $24. Makes them very affordable!

Marangona Lugana 2019 - The grapes were processed whole to preserve the aromas. Fermentation in stainless steel sur-lie for 3 to 4 months. A beautiful wine with aromas of lime, white flowers and orange blossom. You can smell the minerality. The palate is full of lemon rind, lime, wet stone, quinine and a wonderful burst o acidity on the finish.

Tenuta Roveglia Vigne di Catullo Lugana Riserva 2016 - The vienyards are located on the southern shore of Lake Garda. The wine is made from selected old vines. Fermentation 24 months in steel barrels. Lots of ripe fruit in this wine with minerality and salinity. Ripe melon, lemon stone fruit with a touch of sweetness and a tang of acidity. Paired with my daughter.

Easy Drinking Caldora Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Sometimes when I open a bottle of wine, I sip and savor it and relax. Other times that first sip quickly leads to a second without thinking and I’m full of energy. That’s what I call an easy-drinking wine. It’s a wine that doesn’t require deep thinking or decanting and will pair with most everyday foods and events. Caldora 2016 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is just that, an easy-drinking wine that will pair with everyday foods and events.

Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC

Montepulciano D’Abruzzo was classified as a DOC region in 1968. What Montepulciano D’Abruzzo means is that it is the Montepulciano grape grown in the Abruzzo region of Italy. You might see other wines with the Montepulciano on it, but only if it’s Montepulciano D’Abruzzo is it from the Abruzzo region of Italy. The region is warm Mediterranean climate with the Appenniness on the western side of the region and the Adriatic Sea on the eastern side.

Caldora 2016 Montepulciano D’Abruzzo DOC

Caldora is part of Farnese Vini family and one of the largest cooperatives in the Abruzzo region. They source their grapes from small family growers in Teramo and Chieti. Their aim is to make wine for consumers that are seeking good value and good taste.

They certainly live up to the good value and good taste. It’s a very easy drinking wine with soft acidity and soft mouth-feel. Hints of vanilla, black licorice, plum, wild cherry lurking in the background and a hint of cocoa. The wine paired very well with our home-made pizza. Drink now and enjoy. Price ranges from $10 - $14.

Winephabet Street D is for Dolcetto

Last Monday was the monthly edition of Winephabet Street and Lori and I strolled down D street and explored Dolcetto. Honestly, I haven't had many Dolchettos  so this was a great learning experience for me as well.

Dolchetto hails from the Piedmont region of Italy. There are seven DOC's and one DOCG.  It's one of the first grapes to be harvested in the region and with that, it has nice tannins and low acidity. Dolcetto is a wine that is meant to drink young, within 5 years of harvest.

For Winephabet Street, Lori and I each talk about two topics and we rotate each month.  This month I had Five Fun Facts, and the Characteristics of Dolcetto.  Lori took on the History and Food Pairings.  I didn't even look at Lori's information and made myself Jalapeno Popper Mac N Cheese for dinner and had it with my Dolcetto.  I wasn't expecting it to go well with the wine but it did.  I attributed it to the bacon, but actually one of the best food pairings for Dolcetto is Mac n Cheese. Who knew.

Lori and I don't live in the same area, she picked a Dolcetto di Dogliani and Paige from Boutique Wines & Spirits picked me out one from Dolcetto d'Alba. Both wines were under $20 from different areas of the region.  As you will see in the video, one wine had more purple hues and one was more garnet in color.

I hope you enjoy the video.  If you want the audio on the go, the podcast is below.  Don't forget to sign up for next month's Winephabet Street October 16. Sign up here http://snip.ly/jtqtk 
Cheers!  Thanks for watching!

 

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*Boutique Wines & Spirit is the official wine store for Hudson Valley Wine Goddess