Ciao Tutti!
As we begin to celebrate Passover, Easter and Orthodox Easter, we are offering several wines for your celebrations; a Rosato’ Ciro DOC ($19.50, ABV 13%); from the Scala Winery in Ciro Marina region of Calabria; a white wine, the Fiano di Avellino DOCG (425.25, ABV 13.5%) from the Rocca del Principe winery in Lapia, Calabria; and for a red wine, the Aglianico del Vulture DOC ($25.99, ABV 13.5%) from the Casa Vinicola D’Angelo in Rionero en Vulture, Basilicata.
Scala Rosato DOC:
The Ciro Rosato is 100% Gaglioppo grape, Calabria’s flagship grape. “Gaglioppo” translates from the Greek as “beautiful foot”, an apt description for a region that contains the toes and entire ball of Italy’s foot. One of Italy’s oldest varieties, wine from this grape was offered to winners in the Olympic Games. The city of Ciro’ was famous in ancient times for its temple devoted to wine (my kind of town!)
Antonio Scala founded his family winery in 1949 and he also designed the eye-catching label with its bold graphics. His framed original drawing still has a place of honor in the winery. His son Luigi and Francesco now manage the winery. Their Rosato is dry, fresh and rounded with notes of spicy peach, watermelon and blood orange. Perfetto as an aperitivo or for your holiday brunch!
Fiano di Avellino DOCG:
This small family winery was founded in 2004 by the husband and wife team Ercole Zarrella and Aurelia Fabrizio, with Ercole’s brother Antonio. Their small village Lapio is near Avellino, on the green hills of Irpinia which is a fortuitous location for the indigenous Fiano grape to thrive. Ercole was one of the first growers to recognize the Fiano grape’s potential and his zeal lead him to uproot his family’s old vines and replant solely in Fiano grapes!
The Fiano di Avellino has been on Piazza’s shelves with a “NEW” sticker for about a month and many of you have tried it and have come back for more because of its elegant and fruity aromas and notes of aromatic herbs. It is a perfect pairing with fish and Piazza’s creamy cheeses like Burrarta, Mozzarella di Bufala or ricotta; or semi-firm savory cheeses like young Pecorino or provolone. If fish and/or cheese is part of your holiday celebration, this one’s for you!
D’Angelo Aglianico del Vulture DOC:
Basilicata is Italy’s third least populated area and is located between the toe and heel of Italy’s boot, along the shoreline of the Gulf of Taranto. Casa Vinicola D’Angelo is in the heart of the Aglianco del Vulture production area that takes its name from Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano whose two craters now hold two beautiful lakes. The volcano and its area were named “Vulture” since from the air, the shape of the area resembles that scavenger bird.
D’Angelo family has earned its reputation as a pillar of Basilicata’s wine tradition and is now managed by the fourth generation of the family. The Aglianico grape is one of Italy’s oldest grapes that originated in Ancient Greece. Wine writer Ian D’Agata believes Aglianico is as great as Nebbiolo and Sangiovese and another writer calls it the “Barolo of the South”, due to its floral notes, full flavor of black cherry and spiced plum fruits and volcanic smokiness. Perfetto for your holiday celebration if your entrée is lamb!
Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 for a taste of this great trio. Safe travels if you are heading out of town!
Cin Cin ,
Jenn
