Wine Reviews

This is a sweet red sparkling wine from northwest Italy.  Low in alcohol (6.5%) and high in fun.  It is made from 100% Brachetto grapes.  Maroon in color, frothy, clear and bright.  The nose is interesting with tomato paste, red peppers, tomato vine and some raspberries.  Easy to drink.  Sweet and tasty.  On the  palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Not too different than the Faygo Red Pop of my youth.  Refreshing.  Long finish.  This drinks nice on its own and will work with cheeses and perhaps a not too sweet chocolate dessert.  Drink now.  This bottle was Lot L211955.

This is 100% Nero d'Avola from Sicily.  Ruby in color, some brown swirls, clear and bright.  The nose has raspberries with some soy.  Airy.  Medium bodied.  Thick tannins.  On the palate, black cherries, anise and smoke.  Long finish that shows some alcohol.  the wines has 13.5%abv.  It is drinking nicely, but one wonders if there is enough fruit to outlast the tannins.  Drink sooner than later.  A nice match with cheeses or braised meats.  

This is made from the Nero d'Avola grape in south-western Sicily.  Ruby in color, clear and shimmering bright.  The nose has cherries, black licorice and slight balsamic notes.  Great texture.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, cherries and sour cherries.  Some warmth on the finish.  Long finish.  This is mostly about red fruit but a bit bigger and brighter.  It drinks well on its own and will go great with pasta or pizza.  A nice value.  Drink over the next four to six years.  

This is made from 100% Insolia (also known as Ansonica) grapes in Sicily.  Silvery/light golden in color, clear and bright.  The nose has lanolin, limes, whites pepper and cantaloupe.  Medium bodied.  Lightly oily in texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, there is the barest perception of sweetness on the attack with melons and light minerality in the mid-palate.  A lingering finish.  This is very tasty.  It drinks well on its own and worked well with Spanakopita.  Drink over the next five years.