Red wine

Question 1

Barbera d’Alba

Answer 1

Producer: Borgogno (bore-go-nyo)
Grapes: 100% Barbera
Appellation: Barbera d’Alba DOC
Vintage: 2021
Cuvée Name: —
Tasting Notes:Fresh red fruits, blue flowers, and great with anything with tomato sauce.

Question 2

Etna Rossa

Answer 2

Producer: Tenuta Masseria
Grapes: 95% Nerello Mascalese, 5% Nerello Cappucio
Appellation: Etna Rosso DOC
Vintage: 2021
Cuvée Name:Setteporte
Tasting Notes: A wonderful combination of bright red fruit and earthy complexity. Certified organic. For French Pinot Noir drinkers.

Question 3

Chianti Classico

Answer 3

Producer: Villa Calcinaia
Grapes: 90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo
Appellation: Chianti Classico DOCG
Vintage: 2020
Cuvee Name:—
Tasting Notes:Dried and fresh cherry, savory herbs, noticeable amount of oak with a refreshing acidity.Organic farming since 1992

Question 4

Rosso di Montalcino

Answer 4

Producer: La Ragnaie (Rah-neye-ee)
Grapes:100% Sangiovese Grosso (further south so a little bit more depth and complexity, “baby burnellos”)
Appellation: Rosso di Montalcino
Vintage:2020
Cuvée Name:—-
Tasting Notes:Dark red to black fruit, little bit more dry, rounded, and dense. Good lateral for big cab drinkers.

Question 5

Brunello di Montalcino

Answer 5

Producer: Villa Poggio Salvi
Grapes: Sangiovese Grosso
Appellation: Brunello di Montalcino
Vintage: 2917
Cuvée Name:—-
Tasting Notes: More intense dried black fruit, savory herbs, brown baking spice, (from the oak treatment/cinnamon&vanilla)

Question 6

First Super Tuscan

Answer 6

Producer: Pepi Lignana
Grapes: 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petit Verdot
Appellation: Maremma Toscana DOC
Vintage: 2020
Cuvée Name: Poggio Columbi “Cabernet”
Tasting Notes: full bodied, Dark fruit, oak gives it a bit of cedar, little bit of green pepper, and a fresh finish

Question 7

Second Super Tuscan

Answer 7

Producer: Avignonesi
Grapes: 100% Merlot
Appellation: Toscana IGT
Vintage: 2019
Cuvée Name: Desiderio
Tasting Notes: Dark blue, black fruits, little bit of baking spice, complex, and elegant

Question 8

Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore

Answer 8

Producer: Cantine Bertoldi
Grapes: Corvina with Corvinone, Rondinella, and Molinara
Appellation: Valpolicella Ripasso DOC
Vintage: 2018
Cuvée Name: —
Tasting Notes: Full Bodied dark red fruits, spice & cedar, dry with just a hint of sweetness, restrained tannins, and creamy texture.
Pairing: Great with rigatoncini, pico cacio Pepe, and any spicy food.

Darker fruit can balance spice while higher ABC can intensify spice.

Question 9

Barbaresco

Answer 9

Producer: Carlo Giacosa
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG
Vintage: 2019
Cuvée Name: Montefico (“vineyard site”) ( one of the top sites in Barbaresco)
Tasting Notes: raspberry, cedar, elegant rose petal, full bodied with high acidity and long finish.

Great with any steaks. Steaks with any full body wine
Single Vineyard site

Question 10

Barolo

Answer 10

Producer: GD Vajra (vay-rah)
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Appellation: Barolo DOCG
Vintage: 2021
Cuvée Name: Albe (All-bay)
Tasting Notes: Deep intense dried red fruit of red plum and cherry, full bodied with bold tannins and high acidity with a lingering finish.
Production Method: 26 months in large Slavonian oak casks of 40,50, and 75 hectoliters
Price: $36/140
Climate: Moderate Continental

-One of the oldest and most reputable producers
-Blend of top vineyards sites in Barolo

Story of Wine: In 1971, Aldo Vajra, then still a university student, was one of the earliest to adopt organic farming in Piemonte. Vineyards have been nurtured, and soil preserved, by grassing and spontaneous cover crop for almost 50 years now. They are sustainable and organic certified. Albe is a tribute to traditional Barolo and its “Maestri”. This is a blend of high-elevation vineyards where, everyday, we see three beautiful sunrises- or Albe.