December 7th

Allegrini, Palazzo Della Torre

Was $22.99

Now Only $19.99

This week our wine feature is in honor of our upcoming Italian classes. Last Thursday, December 3rd we had our Exploring Italy class followed by next Thursday's December 10th class, The Wines of Allegrini. If you can't make the class, at least you can enjoy some good Italian wine!

This blend of 70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese is a smooth, full-bodied cru wine made in an innovative ripasso style. After the harvest, the grapes from the Palazzo della Torre vineyard follow two different paths: 70% of the grapes are vinified immediately, while the remaining 30% are left to dry until the end of December. The fresh wine made at harvest is blended with the fermenting juice of the dried grapes. This initiates a second fermentation and renders a more highly concentrated and complex wine. Allegrini affectionately refers to Palazzo della Torre as its “baby Amarone.”

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is one of my favorite "Baby Amarones". I love Amarone wine, but they tend to be out of my price range even for weekend wines. I always turn to this wine when I go out to a local BYOB. This way I get more bang for my buck in wine quality and taste. Drink smart!

Grape Varietals:  70% Corvina Veronese, 25% Rondinella, and 5% Sangiovese

Wine Region: Verona, Italy

Alcohol Content: 13.8%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       MEDIUM RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try pairing this with richly flavored pasta dishes accented with spiced meats such as sausage, chorizo or salami. This is also a great dish to try with a seasonal risotto were the creaminess balances out the nice acidity of the wine.  

Cheese Pairings: 

Di Bruno Asiago- A hard, flavorful, salty aged Italian cheese.

Italy $5.49 (8oz)

Pecorino Toscano- A rich, nutty cheese with butterscotch flavor.

Italy $7.99 (8oz)

Prima Donna- The best of Parmigiano and Aged Gouda.

Italy $8.99 (8oz) 

November 30th

Pederzana, Sparkling Lambrusco

Only $12.99

This week we have one of the coolest (and probably most geeky) wines we have done for our wine of the week series. This is Lambrusco, which a sparkling DRY red wine from Italy. Most of us think of Riunite Lambrusco, which is a sweet red wine (usually drank by our Grandfathers). If you love Prosecco and red wines than this is your new favorite wine that is perfect for every occasion (especially the end of a long work week)! 

This is Tenuta Pederzana's most feminine and elegant wine, in which the freshness and vibrant fruit that one finds in the Grasparossa grape are highlighted to the full. The morello cherry note is joined by an intriguing sensation of wild strawberries and raspberries. The brief maceration at fairly low temperatures has made it ideal for drinking as an aperitif and in summer, thanks to the smoothness of its very delicate tannins which, besides, always leave the palate fresh and clean, making it ready to taste the next mouthful.

Chad the Tie Guy's Review: This is one of my favorite wines to turn people on to when they want to try something new and exciting. This of the best qualities of Pinot Noir and Prosecco combined to form a dry but fruit forward sparkling wine. It's definitely not like anything you have probably had before but for $13 bucks its well worth the leap of faith. Enjoy!

Grape Varietals:  Grasparossa (100%)

Wine Region: Emilia, Italy

Alcohol Content: 11%

White Horse Wine Color Code System:       LIGHT RED WINES      

Food Pairings: Try pairing this wine with typical food from the Emilia region of Italy such as tortellini, tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce or fried gnocchi. It is also ideal with delicately flavored foods such as herb crusted turkey or pork loin but shines with salmon and lamb. 

Cheese Pairings: 

Drunken Goat Cheese- A mild, soft cheese aged in red wine

Spain $8.49 (8oz)

Gouda Ewephoria- A mild Gouda with a smooth, sweet flavor.

Netherlands $9.49 (8oz)

Emmenthaler- A swiss cheese with a sharp, nutty flavor

Switzerland $8.49 (8oz)