April Sweet Club: Iowa

Sweet Wine ClubPenfolds club reserve classic tawny wine bottlePenfolds
Club Reserve
Classic Tawny Port
Australia

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Tawny red-brown in color, the nose is fragrant and well-integrated, possessing aromas of raisined fruit, caramel, subtle vanillin oak and nutty aged complexity. The palate has a luscious fruit sweetness balanced by drier barrel-matured characters and subtle spirit. The wine has rich flavors of spicy dried fruit, butterscotch and walnuts before a long, lingering finish.

  • Varietal: Core selection of Mourvèdre, Shiraz, Cabernet and Grenache (but not limited to these varietals)
  • Analysis: 18% alcohol / volume
  • Acidity: 5.3 g/L
  • pH: 3.53
  • Last tasted: July 2010
  • Vineyard Region: South Eastern Australia – Penfolds Club Reserve is a multi-regional blend
  • Vintage Conditions: Multi-vintage blend with an average age between five and ten years
  • Maturation: Individual components are given extended maturation in very old hogsheads for five to ten years before blending to create a consistent style with each release.
  • Peak Drinking: With an average age of five to ten years, Penfolds Club Reserve Classic Tawny is blended to drink on release.
  • Food Matches: Cheese, Dessert

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing:
Try this Tawny Port wine with an aged gouda cheese. The salty, yet creamy and nutty notes of the cheese will help balance out the sweetness & barrel-aged notes of the wine. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

WINEMAKER NOTES:
Since 1985 Penfolds has been identifying the best barrels of Club Tawny and reserving them for additional maturation. These reserve barrels are then skillfully blended to create Penfolds Club Reserve Classic Tawny – with an average age of more than five years – in keeping with the Penfolds tradition of excellence. – Peter Gago, Chief Winemaker

ABOUT PENDFOLDS:
In 1844 Christopher Rawson Penfold planted vines on the slopes of Magill to produce fortified wines. Penfolds is now proud to present a range of fortified wines that is a continuation of over 165 years of winemaking tradition and represents the finest collection of wines of this style in Australia. Learn more about the winery here.

Information & Photos © Penfolds – All Rights Reserved


Candoni moscato wine bottleCandoni Family Wines
Etruscan Wine Collection
Moscato
Lombardy, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Moscato is semi-sparkling, low in alcohol, very fruity and fragrant with an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity. It has aromas of lime, custard and dried flowers with no oak flavors.

  • Varietal: 100% Moscato Bianco
  • Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
  • Region: Lombardy, Provincia di Pavia I.G.P., Italy
  • Food Pairings: Excellent as a dessert wine. It pairs perfectly with pastries, cakes, fruit salads, desserts, sushi, sashimi, and spicy dishes. This sweet Italian wine is also delicious with ice cream, or on its own as an accompaniment to conversation among friends.
  • How to Serve: In order to appreciate this wine at its best, the bottle should be taken out of the cellar and immersed for about half an hour in an ice-bucket. The ideal serving temperature is 42.8ºF-46.4ºF. The best glasses to use are clear, transparent crystal flutes.
  • Conservation: Should be aged and is best consumed young. The bottle should be stored horizontally in a cool, dark, damp cellar.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing:
Pair with a creamy cheese such. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ETRUSCAN WINE COLLECTION:
The joy of living and the art of winemaking is the inspiration behind the Etruscan Wine Collection. The Etruscans, who lived in Italy more than 2500 years ago, introduced the grapevine becoming the first winegrowers.  The richest source of information remaining are their paintings that depicted their daily life and feasting.  Candoni’s artfully painted bottles are inspired by their frescos and passion for life. Using a technique called serigraphy (method of melting natural ceramic colors on glass), Candoni has created a unique piece of art that can bring joy and tradition to your table.

VINEYARD & WINEMAKING:
Made from 100% Moscato Bianco grapes from Pavia, an ideal area to cultivate premium Moscato. The vines benefit from an excellent microclimate (thanks to the area’s proximity to the Po river), well-drained soils rich in clay and calcareous marl, and an exceptional terroir. The grapes are harvested and are softly pressed. The resulting must is put in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats and cooled down to extract the best aromatic substances. The must is then clarified. The alcoholic fermentation is started using selected yeasts and is carried out at controlled temperature. The fermentation is stopped to keep the desired level of residual sugar. The wine is then racked. The natural bubbles are produced by a secondary fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless-steel autoclaves. The secondary fermentation is started using selected yeasts. The wine is then filtered, stabilized and bottled.

THE REGION:
Lombardy, situated in north-central Italy, is a renowned wine region, particularly for its Oltrepò Pavese area—named for its location “beyond the Po” in relation to Pavia. Winemaking here dates back to the Etruscan settlers along the Po River. The region’s climate varies due to its diverse landscape but is generally classified as a ‘cool’ continental climate. Several geographic influences shape its viticulture, including the Alps to the north, which provide protection from harsh cold and help retain warmth in the valleys, and the Po River, which defines much of Lombardy’s southern boundary. Additionally, the region’s stony vineyard soils absorb heat during the day and release it at night, creating ideal conditions for grapes to develop complex flavors over a long growing season. Oltrepò Pavese accounts for over half of Lombardy’s total wine production and two-thirds of its DOC-designated wines. It is particularly known for its sweet Moscato grapes and red varietals such as Pinot Noir and Barbera.

ABOUT CANDONI:
Candoni Wines is a family-owned winery with a rich winemaking history that began over 150 years ago, blending deep-rooted Italian traditions with a passion for innovation. Led by the Candoni De Zan family, the winery is dedicated to crafting high-quality wines that showcase Italy’s diverse regions and grape varietals. Emphasizing sustainability, Candoni Wines embraces eco-friendly practices, from vineyard management to packaging, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Candoni Family – All Rights Reserved


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April Sweet Club: Iowa

Sweet Wine ClubStella-Rosa-Royale-Bottle ImageStella Rosa
Stella Royale Rosso

Veneto, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

With its higher alcohol content, yet still smooth finish, Stella Rosa Royale retains that delicious semi-sweet nature with its fresh natural flavors of raspberries, strawberries and other red berries. This is the perfect wine to pair with any food, just remember to serve it chilled.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Primary Grape Varietal:
Barbera, Brachetto, Nebbiolo

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: A creamy, yet tangy, blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort can provide a bold flavor contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

About the Winery:
It all started in 1917, when the Riboli family founded Los Angeles’ historic San Antonio Winery. Back then, Los Angeles was the prime location for wine growing in all of California. For some time, the wine industry reigned as one of Southern California’s most economically significant and popular industries of that time. After surviving Prohibition and about a century later, the Riboli family has continued its artisan winemaking tradition through four generations. Within the tasting rooms of San Antonio Winery, customers repeatedly requested a sweeter, light, refreshing wine. The Riboli family took this unique opportunity to create a new semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine style, which today, they are the leader. And so, Stella Rosa was born. Learn more
 here.

Wine Cocktail: Berry Regal
Try this delicious wine cocktail at your next brunch:

  • 2 oz Stella Rosa Royale
  • 1 oz Grand Marnier
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen raspberries
  • 1 cup frozen blackberries
  • agave (to taste)
  • Add Grand Marnier, frozen fruits, and agave to a blender and blend until smooth. Pour into glass and stir in Stella Rosa® Royale.

Photo and Information © Stella Rosa and San Antonio Winery – All Rights Reserved


Moscato-Asti_Bottle ImageVietti
Moscato d’Asti DOCG

Castiglione Falletto, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bright straw-yellow in color with slightly shimmering hints of gold. This wine has intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit (peach and apricot), floral notes (rose petals and acacia flowers) and ginger. Sweet and delicate on the palate, with the modest acidity, good balance and complexity. Hints of fresh apricot on the finish.

Analysis: 8% alcohol / volume
Varietal:
100% Moscato

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The nutty and salty flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano can provide a nice contrast to the sweetness of the wine. Its firm texture and complex flavor profile make it an excellent pairing option. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Winemaking:
The grapes are sourced from small vineyards in Castiglione Tinella, with 4,500 plants per hectare. The vines, cultivated with the Guyot-system have an average age of 40 years. Limestone and clay-rich soil.

The grapes are harvested by hand in and around late August/early September. The vinification begins with a gentle pressing of the grapes and natural cold decanting. The must is stored at a very low temperature in stainless-steel tanks to avoid spontaneous fermentation. Throughout the year, individual portions of the must are put in an autoclave at a temperature of 12-14 degrees to initiate alcohol fermentation. When 5.5% alcohol by volume is reached, the temperature is quickly reduced to stop the fermentation. The wine, which is only partially fermented, is then filtered. The wine does not undergo malolactic fermentation and is bottled using sterile filtration, to maintain its natural freshness, aromas and fine bubbles.

About the Winery:
Almost 150 years have passed since its foundation. It was the end of 1800 when Carlo Vietti started the Vietti winery, right in the heart of the Langhe, on the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto. In the very same place where it is located today. Vietti is renowned for its commitment to crafting exceptional wines that express the unique terroir of Piedmont. From their iconic Barolo to elegant Barbera and beyond, each bottle reflects a harmonious balance of tradition and innovation. Embracing sustainable practices, Vietti’s vineyards yield grapes of unparalleled quality, resulting in wines that captivate enthusiasts worldwide. Passion, heritage, and a deep connection to the land define Vietti, making it a cherished gem of Italian winemaking. Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Vietti – All Rights Reserved


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April Sweet Club: Iowa

Sweet Wine Clubpeach-wineRoscato
Peach Semi-Sweet
Lombardy, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Ripe and juicy, this wine stays on the sunny side of life. This wine highlights flavors of ripe stone fruit (think: peak-season peach and apricot).

Pairing: Buffalo wings, brunch favors, and hanging with friends on the patio.


tropical-wineRoscato
Tropical Semi-Sweet
Lombardy, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Exotic and tangy, this wine gives you “vacay” vibes all year round. It highlights notes of pineapple and mango with a juicy passionfruit finish.

Pairing: Fruit salad, shrimp cocktail and dips in the pool.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: These sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft cheese, such as a brie. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Frozen Tropical drink in wine glass

Roscato Frozen Tropical Blast

Frozen Tropical Blast Cocktail Recipe:

  • 6 oz Roscato Tropical (or Roscato Peach)
  • 3 oz coconut water
  • 1/2 cup frozen pineapple
  • 1/2 cup frozen peaches
  • 2 tbsp toasted flaked coconut

In a blender, combine Roscato, coconut water, pineapple and peaches; blend on high speed until smooth. Divide between two glasses, garnish with coconut.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Roscato is an irresistible range of high-quality wines from Northern Italy, near the Italian Alps and Lake Garda – the ideal climate for perfect wine-growing conditions. The winery combines traditional grape growing methods with modern winemaking techniques to produce their lively wines. Whether you are a fan of sweet, rich, bold or soft & silky wines, Roscato wines offer a perfect complement to any cuisine. Learn more here. >

Information © Roscato Wine – All Rights Reserved.


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April Sweet Club Iowa

Sweet Wine ClubBellafina_Pink Moscato_Bottle ImageBellafina
Pink Moscato Rosa
Delle Venezie IGT, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Bellafina’s Pink Moscato is pale pink in color. It highlights notes of melon, peach and red berries, with a bouquet that is typical of the Moscato grape. The wine is sweet and aromatic.

Analysis: 8.0% alcohol / volume
Varietal: 100% Moscato Rosa
Residual Sugar: 75.0 g/L
Total Acidity: 5.8 g/L
Appellation: Delle Venezie IGT
Area of Production/Origin: Veneto Region and Friuli Venezia Giulia Region
Harvest: First half of September
Serving Suggestion: Serve at 45ºF-50ºF
Food Pairing: Delicious by itself or with a variety of antipasti, soft cheeses, and desserts with berries and cream – such as pastries and cakes

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with a creamy cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

VINIFICATION:
The vinification of rose wines is characterized by a short and cold maceration. The juice is then removed from the skins where it has picked up pale and delicate red hue without extracting too much tannin and retaining the natural freshness and aromatic complexity of the wine. Fermentation takes place at the controlled temperature of 64ºF. After a period of storage, a careful coupage follows to obtain the Moscato Rosé Frizzante cuvée. The base-wine is transferred to tanks where exact amounts of must and selected yeasts are added to obtain the desired levels of pressure, alcohol and residual sugar (Martinotti/Charmat method). This is followed by cold stabilization.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Bellafina comes from the union of two Italian words – “bella” meaning “beautiful” and “fina” meaning “fine” or “delicate”. Their wines are a perfect reflection of the Italian lifestyle; lightly sparkling and easy drinking, making for the perfect pairing to any cuisine. Bellafina has been bottled by Casa Vinicola Botter since 1928. Today, the Botter family is managed by the family’s third generation. They continue to produce wines under environmentally friendly policies and with innovative production techniques, specializing in wines from Veneto.


ercole-moscato-bottle-150Ercole
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Ercole (pronounced AIR-KOH-LAY) means “Hercules” in Italian. Crafted in a fun, juicy, mouthwatering style in northern Italy, this white Moscato wine is aromatic and floral. There are earthy notes of honey and stone, along with fruity layers of green apple, pear, pineapple and other tropical notes.

Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume
Varietal: Moscato, Muscat Blanc
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Allergens: Contains sulfates
Food Pairings: This Italian Moscato d’Asti would pair beautifully with an aperitif or fruity dessert

WineStyles Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with an aged cheese such as a cheddar or a gruyere. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Made by The Piedmont Guy, Ercole is their line of everyday wines that honor the work of the Italian wine growers. Made possible by the generations-old cooperative of local growers in the Monferrato area, Ercole wines are produced with sustainably farmed fruit to reflect the authenticity and beauty of their origins. The cooperative behind Ercole works mainly with old vines ranging from 30-50 years old; all of which adhere to the European Union rule for sustainable farming. None of these growers use systemic treatments or chemicals; and both vinification and bottling are certified vegan. Learn more here.


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