Conte Brandolini, Treanni, NV - $45

GRAPES:             

Cabernet Franc, Refosco, Merlot (batches from 3 separate consecutive vintages)

FROM:                 

Friuli, N E Italy

DESCRIPTION:  

Bright ruby, ripe aromas of red and black berry fruit, palate unites freshness of a young wine with the complexity and elegance of maturing wine.

FACT:                   

Count Brandolini is definitely an interesting character – here, he breaks tradition on the theory that different grape varietals need different times to mature – each variety is fermented and aged separately – they are then blended to give a non-vintage red wine comprising Refosco, Merlot and Cabernet Franc from three consecutive vintages.

FOOD PAIRING

Think Northern Italy! - Delicious served with prosciutto, grilled meats, polenta, hearty soups and cheeses.

Hautes Cotes de Nuits, Dames de Vergy 2008 - $48

GRAPES:             

Pinot Noir

FROM:                 

Burgundy, France

DESCRIPTION:  

Rich red, dense with cherry, strawberry and earth flavors.  Firm and muscular, with moderate length.

FACT:                   

Pinot Noir is the red wine grape of Burgundy, over the years it has been adopted (sometimes successfully sometimes not) in many other wine regions – in the US, Oregon probably produces the most Burgundy-like Pinot Noir because of its similar climate.

Hautes Cotes de Nuits is grown on higher slopes (1000ft), making it lighter and less rich than some of the Burgundy’s from lower growing areas.

FOOD PAIRING

Bourgogne is the home of great cooking – Beef Bourguignon is a specialty so think along those lines when pairing this wine.