Maculan, Veneto Moscato IGT, Dindarello 2006 There’s the sweet smells of orange blossom and ginger and a thick while vibrantly fruity palate - delicious. The grapes are all Muscat from the Dindarello Vineyard in Breganze. The grapes are dried for 6 weeks after harvest and the wine is fermented in stainless, 157 grams/litre RS. [...]

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Masi, Rosso Del Veronese Indicazione Geografica Tipica, Campofiorin, Ripasso 2005 Previous vintages, while not stunning or concentrated, have highlighted the sense that ripasso adds to the barer bones of straight Valpolicella, albeit at a budget price. The ‘05 is a little stinky at first with notes of tar and plums. There’s plenty of tart cherry [...]

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Corte Gardoni, Bardolino, DOC Le Fontane 2006 The previous vintage sported a Beaujolais-like character, in the Nouveau vein, a carbo-mac fruit bomb with very light body – ideal for lunch in the sun when you demand red wine. This current vintage was quite stinky at the outset, but the fruit popped out later, in a [...]

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Inama, Soave Classico, DOC 2006 This has been a solid producer though a little of the heat is showing. There’s plenty of viscosity with the buttery richness in the mouth. All Garganega from vines 30+ years old, there is some skin contact time, stainless fermentation, ML and no oak . Bottled in San Bonifacio 12.5% [...]

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Cristalino, Cava, Extra Dry nv This wine isn’t amazing but it has a hint of RS, it truly is methode champenoise and it’s cheap. The grapes are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo, traditionally grown in the Penedes for Cava. Produced by Jaume Serra in Vilanova i la Geltru, just south of Barcelona 11.5% $6.29 at Bottle [...]

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Corteforte Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripassato 2004
The smell of raisins is definitely there in a silky, sweet-appearing palate. The wine is dry but the fruit is amped up so that it appears sweet, unless there is a touch of sub-threshold RS. The Vigneti di Bertarole is planted to 65% Corvina and Corvinone, 25% Molinara and 10% [...]

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Pieropan Soave Classico DOC Estate Grown & Bottled 2006
In previous vintages this wine has been quite fresh and clean. Again it is this vintage with sweet floral and perfume and a light-bodied, dry palate. The grapes are 90% Garganega and 10% Trebbiano and the wine sees no oak. Bottled in Soave 12% $19.95 at Traverso’s [...]

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Allegrini Valpolicella DOC 2006
This wine has been consistently clean and refreshingly full of acidity, though in previous vintages it was labeled as being only from the Classico district. 60% Corvina, 35% Rondinella and 5% Molinara. Estate bottled in Fumane di Valpolicella 13% $14.95 in the spring of ‘08 and up $3 to $17.99 in [...]

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This flight demonstrates the contrasting taste profiles in the methode champenoise wines of Franciacorta and the tank feremented Prosecco of the Veneto.
Bellavista Franciacorta DOCG Cuvee Brut nv
Fresh and dry, this wine is 80% Chardonnay, with the balance Pinot Bianco and some Pinot Nero with reserve wines. P&B in Erbusco 12.5% $29.95 at Traverso’s Bellavista
Ruggeri [...]

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