Wine & Words

A couple of new Italian reds from our friends at The Country Vintner:
Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Rosso Toscana IGT

Ciacci (CHAH-chee) Piccolmini is one of the most highly sought-after producers in all of Italy. This ancient (17th Century) estate boasts 85 acres of superior holdings in the prized Castelnuovo dell’Abate zone, on the southwest side of the Montalcino appellation.  In 1985 the last Countess died with no heirs and left the vineyards to her estate manager, Giuseppe Bianchini.  Giuseppe died in 2004 and left the estate to his children, winemakers Paola and Lucia, who carry on the tradition of great Brunello di Montalcino (their 2004 Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso received 94 Pts from The Wine Advocate). 
This wine is not a Brunello, but rather a "Super Tuscan" blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  You get great Italian winemaking from great Montalcino grapes at a fraction of the price of a great Brunello.  This could become one of our favorite everyday reds for casual meals.
G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo 2006
We move from the Montalcino region of Tuscany to the Barolo region of Piemonte (at the base of the Alps in northwest Italy) and from a "baby Brunello" to a "baby Barolo."  Langhe is a new DOC that overlaps the tradition-bound Barolo and Barbaresco regions.  It allows winemakers to experiment with the great grapes of the region, leaning toward a more international style.  This one is Nebbiolo, the same grape as Barolo, often considered the "king of Italian reds."  The grape gets its name from the clouds that hang around the hills of the region. It makes a wine that is light and spicy, perfect for summertime foods and great cheeses.