Wine Tasting Party -- Beyond Pinot Grigio
Chianti and Pinot Grigio are
just the tip of the Italian wine iceberg,
with a slew of wine-producing regions using
all manner of international and native grape
varieties. With the exception of varietal
Chardonnays, which Italy had a brief and
mostly unhappy affair with not so long ago,
we tend to happily grab whatever random
Italian whites we see on shelves and wine
lists.
Doing the same is fun way
to explore the world of Italian whites beyond
Pinot Grigio. Just line up a selection of
whatever you can find, well chilled, with
a variety of antipasti-like nibbles, and
start tasting! You never know what you might
really fall for -- could be your favorite
summer white of the year!
Here are a few we've enjoyed
recently:
($10).
Completely and enthusiastically enjoyed
this wine - best $10 white wine in recent
memory, even! Bright, ripe tropical and
citrus fruit flavors are laced with wet
stone and a splash of bitter orange that
add complexity and balance. Long finish.
Delish! Ready to drink now. Locate
this wine online or in your area.
($15). Appealing
for its delicate dried apple, peach and
fresh citrus flavors that stay pretty and
pick up touches of fresh herbs and mineral
through the finish. Lovely as an aperitif
or paired with shellfish starters or antipasti.
Ready to drink now. (Weekend Wine 02/08)
Locate
this wine online or in your area.
($14). Insolia
is another indigenous Sicily grape, and
this one offers some of the body and palate
weight of a Chardonnay with the aromatic
intensity of a Sauvignon Blanc. Crisp apple,
ripe tropical citrus, maybe a hint of fig,
and a dash of mineral combine nicely, with
a long, fruity finish. Ready to drink now.
(Italian Connection 04/08) Locate
this wine online or in your area.
($14). Here, 30% Chardonnay is blended in,
and the result is even more body and richness,
with crisp apple and stonefruit leading
the way, and cream and citrus zest accenting
the full finish. Ready to drink now. Great
deal! (Italian Connection 04/08) Locate
this wine online or in your area
($14). Medium-bodied, with tropical melon,
lemon zest, fig and mineral notes that finish
fresh and bright. Ready to drink now. Locate
this wine online or in your area.
($15).
Really loved this one, too, for its pretty
honeysuckle aromas and ripe peach, apple,
lemon and stone notes that fold together
on a bright, juicy finish. Ready to drink
now. Locate
this wine online or in your area.
($13). Easygoing, with light peach and lemony
citrus that mingles with toasted almond
and just a touch of mineral, with a fresh
finish. Ready to drink now. Locate
this wine online or in your area.
($12). A
great deal on a delicious Italian bubbly,
with ripe, crisp apple and peach aromas
and flavors, a smooth, medium-bodied finish,
and a toasty character that lingers nicely.
Ready to drink now. Locate
this wine online or in your area.
Looking for recipe ideas to go with these
wines? Try any or all of the following:
Artichoke
Feta Dip
A
variety of Bruschetta
Calamari
Antipasto
Eggplant
Dip with Yogurt
Leek
& Olive Tart
Sesame
Ham & Cheese Squares
We've found that our guests really enjoy
the opportunity to "grade" the
wines. You can make it as casual or controlled
as you like. We tend to put out a pile of
our tasting
notes sheets and then encourage our
guests to take notes. Somewhere toward the
end of the evening -- or once everyone has
had time to taste the various wines -- we
like to have a little group discussion of
the favorites. It really is a lot of fun
to hear everyone's opinions of the wines,
and there are always some interesting surprises.
The most important thing is
to have fun with your tasting party. Branch
out to wines that are new to you. Don't
worry about the results -- everyone will
have a great time participating in the tasting.
And be sure to let
us know which wines were the hit at
your party!
For details on our past tasting
party ideas - click
here.
|
Ajello
2006 Majus Bianco Sicilia
Cusumano
2006 Insolia Sicilia
Feudo
Principi di Butera 2006 Insolia Sicilia