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Snob Wine of the Month | Wine Reviews

I Greco Savu Rosato

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Cost: Average price $19

Where buy now: Zipp’s Liquor Store

Grapes: Gaglioppo

Region: Calabria, Italy

Vintage: 2011

i Greco Savu Rosato

Savu in my heart

Calabria I listen

My mouth awakens

I present Savu, the Calabrian wonder Rosé. Well, I don’t think that’s how they market their wine but that’s how I’m describing it. It had been a couple months since my last haiku, but this was plenty enough to inspire me.

Why am I gushing about Calabria, well it’s simply a matter of history. My history, yes, but I’m selfish like that. My Grandma’s side of the family comes from Calabria so therefore, it instantly peaks my curiosity. Calabria is the “toe” of the Italian boot. It’s a region that has been raped and pillaged by several different warring conquerors. It’s rough terrain, wrought with earthquakes, and due to a long standing feudal system, people weren’t able to own land and suffered from poverty. Hmm, sounds great! No wonder there was a mass exodus in the late 19th-early 20th century to the new world, mainly the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Australia.

Times, they are a-changing. Calabria is becoming more of a travel destination as is the rest of Southern Italy. They are exporting delicious olives, olive oils, figs and what’s this. . .wine? The main grape indicative to Calabria is called Gaglioppo (gah-L’yee-OHP-poh). It is used to make Ciro, probably one of their more popular wines. The grape is known to provide a full-bodied red wine that is rich in spices, smoke and tannins. This is indicative of Calabrian wines made with grapes grown toward the bottom of the mountains. They grow in warmer temperatures near the sea which bring out the grapes’ intensity.

The Savuto wines are made with Gaglioppo grapes grown at a higher altitude. This creates a little more balance, the wines are softer and lighter in that the grapes get the warmth of the sun during the day but in the evenings, it cools off. Tis what’s happened with the grapes used to make the I Greco Savu Rosato (Rosé in Italian). This Rosé isn’t that bright pink color like we’ve been seeing in other Rose’s. This one has an orange-pinkish hue. It’s interesting, not in a Yoko Ono-odd kind of way. But it’s mildly complex and delicious! It’s wine you’ll drink in and feel transported to the Calabrian hills.

Unlike some Rosé’s that have that strawberry fruit forward taste, this one does have red fruit character but it’s layered with a floral, salty and spicy quality.

If the price was lower, I’d cellar up with this baby for the Summer. Alas, it does toggle my $15 price point so I Greco Savu Rosato is my Snob Wine of the Month. I’m glad to have enjoyed it and hope you’ll give the Calabrian wine a chance to wet your whistle!

Red Wine of the Week | Red Wine Reviews

DeLoach Pinot Noir

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Cost: Average price $13.99

Where buy now: Cellars Wines & Spirits for $11.99

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma, California

Vintage: 2009

DeLoach Pinot Noir

So many people have asked me for a budget Pinot Noir recommendation. I’ve tried a few Chilean Pinots, and they’ve been, well, “meh”. Since they don’t exactly taste like Pinot Noir to me, I think they’re a decent value. I’ll be honest and say I’m a California & Oregon Pinot Noir fan. That’s my own palate preference with this wine varietal. [That is, until my good friends at Familia Meschini come out with their Pinot.]

I’ve visited the DeLoach vineyard, located in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, California. Typical of the Russian River Valley, this winery creates some primo Pinot Noirs, and with a price tag to match. So, when I saw a DeLoach Pinot Noir on sale for $11.99, I thought I’d give it a go. Now, a $12 price for Pinot is a bit like seeing a new Mercedes for $4000. However, with the DeLoach name on the bottle, I figured it wouldn’t be entirely useless swill.

I was right.

Now, this isn’t a $40+ bottle of Pinot Noir. It just isn’t as refined as others. In fact, you could say it’s a little rough around the edges. But that’s OK, because sometimes we like it a little rough.

Until then, I think this DeLoach Pinot at $12 and change is a great value. The grittier, rougher Pinots may just excite you in a way you never thought it could. It may not rock your world, but it also won’t rock your wallet like one quadruple its price.

White Wine of the Week | White Wine Reviews

Simi Sauvignon Blanc

Cost: Average price $13.99

Where buy now: Surdyk’s, South Lyndale Liquors

Grapes: 95% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Semillion, 2% Viognier

Region: Sonoma, California

Vintage: 2010

Simi Sauvignon Blanc

The Simi Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma continues to be a staple I return to. It’s simply delicious with refreshing hints of citrus fruit: lemon, lime and grapefruit. It’s not all tart & pucker, however, as this wine isn’t 100% Sauvignon Blanc. There are tinges of Semillon and Viognier involved which adds up to a fuller, silkier taste. Don’t start thinking it’s heavy like a Chardonnay or Riesling though, this wine is fermented in stainless steel. It’s bright, vibrant and crisp with grassy notes, melon, minerality and balanced acidity. If you’re a big Sauvignon Blanc drinker, you’ll know what I mean when you give this a gulp. Wait, minerality, what’s that? www.winefolly.com/Wine Folly

 

Truthfully it’s one of the more difficult wine terms to describe and even winos have differing opinions. I found this video from my friend, Madeline, at Wine Folly who explains it best:

As with most wines out of California, the drinkability is great with food or solo. Finding fun foods to bring out the citrus zest and silky body, such as fish tacos, grilled salmon or a Caesar salad, would be a great idea. Think of any recipe that calls for olive oil and lemon. For instance, roasted chicken (shit, a rotisserie at the grocery store will do in a pinch) or boil up some pasta and toss with EVOO, basil, garlic, lemon zest and cheese. I implored the Fortify MN Food bloggers to give me a gazpacho recipe. I’ve always wanted to try a white gazpacho and so this week was a “Tale of Two White Gazpachos”. One from Fortify member, Diane: dianesfoodblog.wordpress.com/Diane’s Food Blog

Diane’s White Gazpacho

Another made without dairy, utilizing blanched almonds, old bread and green grapes: www.simplyrecipes.com/Simply Recipes

White Gazpacho[/caption]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You usually see this for around $15, which is a great price for this wine. However, right now it’s $10.99 at Surdyk’s during their Summer Sale. Yessssss. We are only halfway through Summer, folks- go ahead and stock up. You’ll be able to enjoy for months to come.

PS – If you are a Sauvignon Blanc fan, another must pick up at the Surdyk’s wine sale is not only the Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc at $12.49 but Angeline Russian River Valley Sauvignon Blanc for only $9. It’s tremendous!