Come Taste Some Italian Wines You Can Afford!

Alberto Panella, owner of Grappoli Imports
Will Taste and Talk About Some of His ItalianWines
Saturday, September 6, 2008, from 1-4 pm

 
#42495
List: 18.99
Sale: 15.99
Colterenzio, Chardonnay - Altkirch 2007
Alto Adige
Colterenzio, a winegrowing area extending from Bolzano to the very south of South Tyrol,lies at altitudes between 250 and 550 meters with such diverse soils and microclimates that almost every international grape variety can be grown here in its ideal environment.. A warm summer wind from Lake Garda mitigates the heat, while at night cool air descends from the high mountains: the alternation of warm, sunny days with cool nights enables the grapes to ripen slowly and accumulate intense aromas, high levels of sugar and firm, fruity acidity. The Altkirch Chardonnay has delicate floral aromas and a flavor infused with hints of exotic fruits that is sustained by classic mineral notes and crispy acidity.

#41054
List: 31.99
Sale: 26.99
Giuseppe Mascarello & Figlio, Barbera D'alba Scudetto 2003
Piemonte
Mauro Mascarello’s estate, has a long and illustrious history. The Mascarello’s own the Monprivato vineyard, one of the eleven noble vineyards of Barolo. Often described as an enlightened traditionalist, Mauro follows four generations of winemaking style that allows for the brilliant underlying terroir of all his wines to take center stage. The wine continues to be made in the old Slavonian oak casks purchased by his father Giuseppe in 1950’s. He emphasizes the work in the vineyard with strict control of quantity, short winter pruning, removal of bunches in spring and summer, and hand-picking the grapes, discarding any rotten ones in the vineyard. His Barbera SCUDETTO, made in the PERNO vineyard in the Comune of Monforte d’Alba, is harvested from 60/70 years old vines with low yields. Powerful example of Barbera with a well balanced and round body, deep ruby color and intense aromas of cassis, black cherry, violet and spices. Expected cellar life 10-15 years.

#41090
List: 12.99
Sale: 10.99
Ajello, Majus White 2006 (Grillo Catarratto)

#41563
List: 13.99
Sale: 11.99
Ajello, Majus Red 2005 (Nero d’Avola)
Sicily
Vines have been cultivated on the Ajello family's 125-hectare estate in the Val di Mazara for three generations. Today, 68 hectares are occupied by vineyards, divided between the indigenous varieties, (Grillo, Insolia, Catarratto, Nero d'Avola), and the new varieties (Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Syrah), introduced using clones selected from the estate's own vineries. The MAJUS WHITE, made of 50% Grillo and 50% Catarratto, is straw yellow in color with faint streaks of green, a full aromatic impact and hints of lemon and apple on the palate. Full and dry, supported by fresh acidity. The MAJUS RED 100% Nero d’Avola, ruby red in color with intense and elegant woodland scents a full rounded and pleasantly balanced taste finishing with a generous and pleasant aftertaste somewhat similar to syrah. Aged for 6 months in wood, 3 months in cement thanks and a further 5 months of bottle ageing.

#40932
List: 17.99
Sale: 14.99
Duca Carlo Guarini, Primitivo Vigne Vecchie 2004
Puglia
The  Guarini family, if you go to visit them, will tell you that for them to be vine-growers means an inheritance to be protected, land to be cultivated, a culture to be shared. They will tell you of the thousand-year-old history of their family and of how some of their wine labels speak of their ancestors and the illustrious personages to whom they gave hospitality in past centuries.
They have worked hard to make their really typical Salento wine famous, concentrating on specific areas and on the names of indigenous species of vine, the real wealth of the Salento area. At the beginning of the nineties, when very few knew of the existence of 'primitivo' and 'negroamaro' grapes, the Guarini family brought out the first bottle of pure Primitivo, writing the name of the vine species on the label. The Vigne Vecchie is a remarkable example of traditional style Primitivo, highlighted by a full nose  of cherry, red fruits and spices and characterized by a rich and pleasantly velvety palate. The persistent finish is 100% Primitivo revealing the uniqueness of the grape variety.