55 Degree Wine

SINGLE VINEYARD BIANCOS $19.50 FLIGHT

Panizzi “Vigna Santa Margherita” Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2005 Toscana

From the medieval town of San Gimignano a classic Tuscan white. Santa Margherita yields the best fruit of the region.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $15.00

Picollo “Rughe” Gavi di Gavi 2004 Piemonte, Italia

Gavi produced from the Cortese grape – a classic from Piemonte. All hand-tended fruit produce this lush version.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $13.00

Raccaro “Vigna del Rolat” Collio Friulano 2007 Friuli, Italia

Friulano. Previously known as Tocai Friulano. From a cult hero in Friuli.

Taste: $8.50 Glass: $20.00

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100% ITALIANO BLEND $12.00 FLIGHT

Picchioni Buttafuoco 2001 Olterpò Pavese, Italia

Croatina, Barbera & Vespolina. Only from best vintages with a soft pressing & then left in contact with the skins for up to 25 days.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $9.50

Di Sesta “Camponovo” Rosso 2007 Toscana, Italia

Blend of locals, Sangiovese, Colorino & Caniaolo….spends time aging in Slovenian Oak.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.00

Nostri-Feudi Rosso 2008 Sicilia, Italia

40% each Nero d’Avola & Frappato….buffed out with Sangiovese.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.50

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PURO PORTUGAL $10.00 FLIGHT

Goanvi “Beato Nuno” 2005 Ribatejo, Portugal

Trincadeira, Castelão, and Cabernet Sauvignon…from Portugal’s heartland…no coastal influence at all.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.50

Goanvi “Terra Grande” 2006 Alentejo, Portugal

Trincadeira and Aragones (Tempranillo??) keeps its bright fruit in stainless steel.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.50

Terras de Alter “Fado” 2007 Alentejo, Portugal

This was crafted at a new winery following the winemaker’s designs to minimize fruit damage and oxidation of the wines.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.00

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VINI RISERVA $ 21.00 FLIGHT

Tiberini Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2001 Toscana, Italia

Prugnolo Gentile (prized clone of Sangiovese) Canaiolo Nero & Mammolo (which means “violet” for its aromas) that are macerated on the skins for 28 days then fermented very slowly with periodic light pressings of the skin to extract more flavor and complexity.

Taste: $8.00 Glass: $20.00

Conte Leopardi “Pigmento” Rosso Cònero Riserva 2004 Le Marche, Italia

100% Montepulciano that has been aged in new French oak barrels for 20-22 months.

Taste: $8.50 Glass: $20.00

Endrizzi Teroldego Rotaliano “Maso Camorz” Riserva 2005 Trentino, Italia

Grapes fermented under temperature control, with fermentation in barrique and further refinement in oak.

Taste: $7.00 Glass

Posted in Wine Tasting |

CRISP & STONY BIANCOS $15.50 FLIGHT

Cà Nova “Rugiada” Erbaluce 2005 Piemonte, Italia

Erbaluce is often compared to France’s Chenin Blanc due to its high natural acidity. The name Erbaluce means “morning dew”. Absolutely no oak on this wine.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $11.00

Fatalone Bianco Spinomarino ORGANIC 2005 Puglia, Italia

It was the late 18th century when Fatalone’s ancestor Nicola Petrera picked a hillside to plant vines & build a cantina.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $11.00

Torricino Greco di Tufo 2007 Campania, Italia

These vineyards are located on top of volcanic sulfur deposits with an insane aromatic profile & mineral driven structure.

Taste: $5.50 Glass: $13.00

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CANTINA DISCOVERY: TUTUNJIAN $11.00 FLIGHT

Pacífico Sur Sauvignon Blanc 2007 Curicó Valley, Chile

The Mediterranean climate here helps the grapes to develop slowly and fully…temperature controlled tanks keep the wine bright.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $5.50

Pacífico Sur Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2007 Curicó Valley, Chile

Cabernet Sauvignon quickly separated from its skins and kept at cool temps produces a zesty Rosé.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $5.50

Pacífico Sur Carmenère-Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2006 Curicó Valley, Chile

The wine is left to macerate for 10 days then 50% of the wine is aged for 6 -8 months in oak barrels.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.50

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BIG WINE FROM SMALL PACKAGES $19.00 FLIGHT

Salis “Canua” Sforzato di Valtellina 2002 Valtellina, Lombardia, Italia

The best Nebbiolo grapes from the oldest vines are air-dried 5 months for added concentration.

Taste: $6.50 Glass: $18.50

Ghisolfi Barolo 2004 Piemonte, Italia

Grapes from the prestigious Bussia zona, one of Barolo’s most famous. ’04 was a classic vintage.

Taste: $6.50 Glass: $18.00

Dionigi Montefalco Sagrantino 2003 Umbria, Italia

100% Sagrantino aged for 4 months in large oak barrels and barriques.

Taste: $6.00 Glass: $14.00

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VINES OF THE VENETO $ 14.00 FLIGHT

Corte Cariano Corvina “Terra Solinas” 2006 Veneto, Italia

100% Corvina, the ‘noble’ grape of Valpolicella, air-dried before fermentation.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.00

Vaona Valpolicella Classico 2007 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italia

Hand tended 40-60 year old vines, from the gently rolling hills of the Valpolicella. Influenced by the breezes of Lake Garda.

Taste: $4.50 Glass: $9.50

Degani Valpolicella “Cicilio” Classico Ripasso 2005 Valpolicella, Veneto, Italia

Unpressed grape skins from Amarone are added to Valpolicella for extra body, character and richness.

Taste: $5.50 Glass:

Posted in Wine Tasting |

NEWZ FROM DOWN UNDER $11.00 FLIGHT

Glendonbrook Verdelho 2006 South Eastern Australia

Australian versions of Verdelho are noted for their intense flavors and slightly oily texture that the wines can get after some aging.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.00

Culley Riesling 2006 Marlborough, New Zealand

Wines grown in cool climate Marlborough develop more minerality and soft palate cleaning acidity.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $7.00

Culley Chardonnay 2007 Marlborough, New Zealand

Never exposed to wood this Chardonnay shows the true character of the grape.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.50

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“REAL” RIOJA $10.00 FLIGHT

Juan de Alzate Blanco 2007 Rioja, España

400 meter elevation vineyards are terraced into the hillsides with the best southern exposure for maximum sunlight. After harvest & fermentation the wines are placed deep into caves cut into the hillsides.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.00

Solar de Estraunza Tinto 2007 Rioja, España

Tempranillo put through carbonic maceration. Keeps it fresh fruit in stainless steel tanks.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.00

Don Jacobo Rioja 2004 Rioja, España

Traditional Rioja blend: 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo/Graciano. Spends 15months in American oak.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $5.50

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CANTINA DISCOVERY: AVIDE $14.00 FLIGHT

Avide “Herea” Frappato 2007 Sicilia, Italia

Often blended with more serious wines; Frappato’s aromatic qualities are distinct and recognizable.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.50

Avide “Herea” Nero d’Avola 2007 Sicilia, Italia

Founded over 100 years ago, this family winery focuses on local grapes, carob and olives.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.50

Avide Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2006 Sicilia, Italia

60/40 Frappato/Nero d’Avola fermented in steel and aged eight months in bottle.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

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PURELY PINOT $ 17.00 FLIGHT

Martilde “Nina” Pinot Nero Organic 2005 Oltrepò Pavese, Italia

100% Pinot Nero does not see a drop of oak..and is lovingly tended in the vineyards.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.50

Familia Schroeder “Saurus” Patagonia Select Pinot Noir 2006 Patagonia, Argentina

Bright fruit from stainless steel fermentation and only 40% of the wine aged for a year in new French & American oak.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.50

Peters Family Winery “Sonoma Stage Vineyard” 2005 Sonoma Coast, California

Fruit from a low yield vineyard and 100% free run juice create this beautiful Sonoma Coast wine.

Taste: $7.00 Glass: $17.00

Posted in Wine Tasting |

LAMag.com- Atwater Village, Streetsmart “Tuesday through Sunday nights, the expansive underground cellar and wine bar features a rotating menu of economical lesser-known wines that are available for sampling by the taste, glass, or flight, plus cheeses for nibbling. Upstairs is no slouch of a wine store, either, carrying one of the city’s largest selections of Belgian ales.”

We are so excited to be featured in LA Magazine. Look forward to more press as everyone finds out how great 55 Degree Wine is.

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STOCKING YOUR CELLAR: BIANCOS $10.00 FLIGHT

Gotto d’Oro Frascati 2007 Lazio, Italia

Frascati is a blend of Malvasia di Candia, Malvasia del Lazio, Trebbiano Toscano and Greco.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.00

Matile “Cardetto” Pinot Grigio 2007 Umbria, Italia

This winery was founded in 1949 by a group of local vignerons. Modernized to make high quality wines in the 1990’s.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $5.50

Destino Blanco NV Galicia, España

The Galician answer to tapas needs. A changing blend formulated without oak.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.00

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STOCKING YOUR CELLAR: ROSSOS $10.00 FLIGHT

Botter Nero d’Avola 2007 Sicilia, Italia

Sicilia’s “native grape”; this family collective from the Veneto knew they had to craft something memorable from it.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $6.00

Vallformosa La Viña Tinto 2007 Catalunya, España

Melange of Tempranillo (60%), Granacha (30%) & Cariñena (10%), a portion of the fruit put through carbonic maceration.

Taste: $3.00 Glass: $5.00

Bolero Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007 Abruzzo, Italia

From ancient hills. Cool evenings & warm days help bring perfect ripening, bright aromas & balanced acidity.

Taste: $3.50 Glass: $5.50

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REALLY ROSÉ $14.50 FLIGHT

Ippolito “Mabilía” Rosato 2005 Calabria, Italia

Pink wine named as a tribute a young Norman princess who had a summer home in the zona in the eleventh century.

Taste: $4.00 Glass: $8.50

Paul deLane Cremant de Bougogne Rose 2005 Burgundy, France

100% Pinot Noir from the heart of Burgundy…champagne method without the Champagne price.

Taste: $5.50 Glass: $12.50

Canals Canals Rosat Cava NV Penendes, España

Monastrell, Garnatxa (both intensely flavored red varieties) aged on the lees for a minimum of 30 months (much longer than many NV Champagnes from large houses.)

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

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MORE GRAPES U HAVEN’T HEARD OF $ 17.00 FLIGHT

Mustilli Piedrosso 2005 Campania, Italia

Ana Chiara Mustilli is one of the many young, enthusiastic women at the helm of Italian cantine. Her family has been intimately connected with the history of the zona since the 1500’s & estate bottling wines since 1960.

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

Bortolusso Schiopettino 2007 Friuli, Italia

Carefully tended vines (no pesticides are used and the only fertilizer is organic manure and compost) The Friulani named this grape after the sound of a shotgun: Schioppettino means “ricochet” or “buckshot” in the local dialect!

Taste: $5.00 Glass: $12.00

d’Isera Marzemino Superiore “Nove Sette” 2006 Trentino, Italia

The preferred red of the Hapsburg Empire, Marzemino is a wonderful thing and it expresses a truly unique character here in the volcanic soils of the Vallagarina.

Taste: $7.00 Glass: $17.00

Posted in Wine Tasting |

This weeks tasting at 55º Wine. Check out some new and different wines.

Posted in Wine Videos with Staci |