August 22-28, 2011: Frizzante, Portugal, Germany and Sicily

COMANDANTE FRIZZANTE

Flight: $17

Tenuta Uccellina “Libertino” Frizzante

NV     Emilia Romagna, Italia

Slightly fizzy version of the Bombino Bianco grape.  Aged and fermented entirely in steel tanks.

Balgera Vini Chiavennasca Terrazze Retiche Sondrio Frizzante

NV             IGT, Italia

This is interesting! A fizzy bone dry white made from the same grape responsible for Barolo and Barbaresco.  What grape would that be?

Puianello “Le Gemme” Malvasia Dolce Frizzante

NV           Emilia-Romagna, Italia

A tiny bit sweeter and more aromatic than Prosecco but not quite as hedonistic as Moscato D’Asti.

PORTUGUES PEASANTS

Flight: $12

António F. Bonifácio e Filhos Vinho de Mesa Branco “Lomba da Fazenda”

2008 Torre Vedras, Portugal

A lovely house white wine made from traditional white grapes of Fernão Pires and Boal.

Caves Bonifacio “Val da Cigana”

2008 Torre Vedras, Portugal

“Val da Cigana” (Valley of the Gypsy) is obtained from dry-farmed grapes of the year before its consumption with a little bottle aging.

Grão Vasco Dão

2007 Dão, Portugal

A very Portuguese blend of  Jaen, Tinta Roiz and Touriga Nacional. This red exemplifies the traditional wines of the Dão region.

NO BLUE NUN HERE

Flight: $20

Friedrich Becker WeisserBurgunder

2006 Pfalz, Germany

Weisserburgunder, known in most countries as  Pinot Blanc from the largest wine producing region in Germany.

Hans Wirsching Rosé Trocken

2010 Franken, Germany

100% Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) makes up this wonderful fruity almost effervescent like Rosé from Franken.

Salwey Pinot Noir Kaiserstuhl

2006 Baden, Germany

Some of the Germanys best Spatburgunder is grown in Baden.  This family operation is producing Pinots rivaling some the worlds best.

SICILY GOES PACIFICALLY

Flight: $17

Decordi “Valle Calda” Nero d’Avola

2009 Sicilia, Italia

100% Nero d’Avola grown in Sicily.  Low yielding vines give this wine an intense, fruity flavor.

Manzo “Nostri Feudi” Rosso

2009 Sicilia, Italia

40% Nero d’Avola, 40% Frappato and 20% Sangiovese from Sicilia’s famed Marsala region.

Avide Cerasuolo di Vittoria

2007 Sicilia, Italia

A classic and distinguished red from Bastonaca and Mortilla in Sicilia: 70% Frappato and 30% Nero d’Avola. The Cerasuolo di Vittoria region was designated D.O.C.G. in 1973.