2021 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Chardonnay Bramito della Sala, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

This is a Chardonnay from Umbria.. While I have its big brother, this was my first time trying this bottling. Hay/gold in color, clear and bright. The nose is nice with gun powder, lemons, slight grapefruits and butterscotch. Full bodied. Creamy texture. On the palate, lemon cream and toast. Good finish. Certainly some oak here, but not as much as its big brother. This drinks easy and is a good value for people who like a slightly oaky Chardonnay. Drink over the next few years.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2021

Current Price:

$19.00USD

NV Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Brut, Italy, Lombardy, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$32.00USD

Beautiful sparkling wine from the north center of Italy. It is a blend of 75% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Bianco, and 15% Pinot Nero. Light golden in color with a steady stream of tiny bubbles. The nose has red apples, minerals and slight toast. Full bodied. On the palate, this has a slight oxidative note along with apples and slight toast. A nice backbone of acidity. Long finish. This drinks great on its own but will work well with a wide variety of food. Everything from popcorn to fried, spicy chicken. Long finish. It will compete with everything in its price category from Champagne.

2016 Passopisciaro Terre Siciliane Passopisciaro, Italy, Sicily, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$38.00USD

This was ordered off the menu at Ceres Table in Chicago's Lakeview East area. While I have had the reds many times, this was my first time trying the white. It is made up of 100% Chardonnay grown at around 3,000 feet on the side of Mt.

NV Società Agricola Monte Alto Franciacorta Extra Brut, Italy, Lombardy, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

Franciacorta's are serious sparkling wines from Italy. They are not to be confused with Prosecco's or some of the other lighter sparkling wines that are very popular these days. The best Franciacorta's hold their own against sparkling wines made anywhere in the world. Light golden in color. There are a log of tiny bubbles. The nose has toast, lemon and slight lanolin. On the palate, this is slightly crisp. Full bodied. Nice, persistent lemon/lime notes. Good finish. This drinks well on its own and will work with all but the meatiest of dishes. It should probably be consumed in th

NV Ferghettina Franciacorta Brut, Italy, Lombardy, Wine Review

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$31.00USD

This is 95% Chardonnay and 5% Pinot Noir from Italy. Franciacorta is a great region for sparkling wines. Light golden in color with a nice mousse of smaller bubbles. The nose is big with cream soda and a bit of hazelnuts. Full bodied. On the palate, it seems to have just the slightest bit of residual sugar left. Some citrus and plenty of minerality. A bit shorter on the almond finish. This is nice on its own and very food friendly. It went great with assorted hard and soft cheeses. Drink over the next ten years.

2005 Gravner Breg Anfora, Italy, Friuli, Wine Review

Vintage:

2005

Score:

Grade:

It can be hard to find a time to open these kinds of "orange" wines. I love them but they are not for everyone. This is a white blend of grapes that is fermented, on the skins in amphorae and then finished in barrels. It has Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Riesling. These kind of wines are best served at cellar temperature. Golden brown in color. The nose is oxidized but also has some apple cider, slight citrus and even a floral note. If oxidized wines bother you, stay away. I found the nose vibrant. On the palate, this is also vibrant and full of energy. Apple cider

2021 Castello della Sala (Antinori) Chardonnay Bramito della Sala, Italy, Umbria, Wine Review

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