Tag Archives: Italy

February Bubbly Club Iowa

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Bubbly Wine ClubBodkin-Sparkling_Sauvignon_Blanc_bottle-bowBodkin Wines
Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc
Lake County, California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

With overtones of pineapple, guava and lemon-lime, this wine is a bright, fruit forward and as “Sauvignon Blanc-y” as ever.  The palate matches the nose and the 2 g/L dosage (0.2%) is just enough flair to make this wine down right quaffable. This Cuvée is a blend of two Sauvignon Blanc vineyards in Kelseyville and 22% from Sandy Bend vineyard in Upper Lake. Both vineyards are farmed to California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance standards and family owned and operated. Diligent stewards of the earth and salt of the earth people, the Springer and Schlies families are not just growers but true friends of Bodkin Wines. 

About the Winery:
Founded in 2011 by journeyman cellar hand and self-taught Winemaker Chris Christensen, Bodkin Wines disrupted the sparkling wine scene with America’s first sparkling Sauvignon Blanc in 2012. With one foot rooted in wine science and the other in craftsmanship, Christensen’s minimalist philosophy guides his signature style of high acid, low alcohol wines. These wines have garnered over two dozen 90+ point scores in critical reviews over the past 8 years alone. Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Bodkin Wines – All Rights Reserved

stella-rosa-gold-prosecco-bottle-bowStella Rosa
Gold V.S. Prosecco DOC
Veneto, Italy

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The Gold V.S. Prosecco DOC starts with specially selected grapes grown in the beautiful vineyards of the Veneto region in Italy. This area has a very special microclimate characterized by high temperature variations between day and night during the summer. This environment is crucial to achieve perfect ripening of the grapes and give the wine a breathtaking structure and harmony, in which acidy and minerality are perfectly balanced.

The secret to this delicious wine is the specially selected blend of Glera and Chardonnay grapes aged in oak for three months. The blend undergoes a very long fermentation to yield a richer, more elegant Prosecco with more pronounced character.

AWARDS:
92 points – Gold Medal, Tastings.com (Beverage Testing Institute)

ABOUT STELLA ROSA:
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.

Photo and Information © Stella Rosa – All Rights Reserved

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January Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubLuca_Bosio_Sweet_Dark_Red-bottleLuca Bosi Vineyards
Dark Red Semi Sweet
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This deep red wine has an abundance of red fruit aromas, with wild berry notes lifted by its crisp acidity. Sweet aromas of ripe red fruits that demonstrate the hallmark of the Brachetto grape. Made with 100% natural fruit and gluten free.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 95% Brachetto, 5% Blueberry & Raspberry fruit infused
  • Appellation: Piedmont, Italy
  • Serving Hints: Serve slightly chilled on its own or with antipastos, prosciutto, fish and white meats

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

Winemaker Notes:
Basic Brachetto is playfully fizzy with two atmospheres of pressure & is known for having low alcohol at 5.0%, a natural range of sweetness. After fermentation, the residual sugar remains relatively high, making the wines sweeter than dry wines. Because the extra sugar stops fermentation early, non-fortified sweet reds tend to be lower in alcohol than dry wines.

Luca_Bosio_Sweet_Black-bottleLuca Bosi Vineyards
Black Semi Sweet
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

A luscious, fruit forward red blend with voluptuous mouth-feel and layers of strawberries, juicy raspberry and hints of chocolate. The frizzante finish makes it superb.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 5% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 95% Brachetto, 5% Raspberry and Strawberry fruit infused
  • Appellation: Piedmont, Italy
  • Serving Hints: Serve slightly chilled on its own or with antipastos, prosciutto, fish and white meats

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Pair with an aged gouda or fontina cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Winemaker Notes:
Basic Brachetto is playfully fizzy with two atmospheres of pressure & is known for having low alcohol at 5.0%, a natural range of sweetness. After fermentation, the residual sugar remains relatively high, making the wines sweeter than dry wines. Because the extra sugar stops fermentation early, non-fortified sweet reds tend to be lower in alcohol than dry wines.

About Luca Bosi Vineyards:
Located in the center of the Langhe region of Piedmont, Bosio Family Estates was established in 1967 by farmers Egidio and Angela. After being past down through three generations, and with tremendous success, innovation, and support from the family, the company is now branded as Luca Bosio Vineyards. Learn more here.

Information and photos © Luca Bosi Vineyard – All Rights Reserved.

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January Premium Wine Club

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Bold wine Style logoCortonesi_Leonus_Toscana_bottleCortonesi
Lèonus Toscana IGT
Tuscany, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

A pleasant red with berry, light chocolate and hazelnut character. Medium body, firm tannins and fresh finish. This wine is a perfect accompaniment for caprese salad, pizza, salumi, burgers and aged cheeses.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 13.8% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 85% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Appellation: Montalcino, Tuscany (IGT), Italy
  • pH: 3.55
  • Total Acidity: 6.10 g/L
  • RS: .8 g/L
  • Critical Acclaim: “Attractive nose of hazelnuts, praline, cherries, peaches and vanilla. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins and supple, juicy palate. Drink now or hold.” – 91 pts. James Suckling

WINEMAKER NOTES:
Lèonus vineyards are nested in the northeast part of Montalcino—an area where great Brunello di Montalcino crus are born. Like all great Super Tuscan wines, Lèonus captures the essence of Tuscany. This artisan Super Tuscan wine is a rigorous hand selection of the finest grapes of Sangiovese from Montalcino blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. This hand-crafted blend gives birth to a Super Tuscan or as Cortonesi describes it as Super Montalcino Lèonus.

The vineyards are 20 to 25 years old—at the fullest of their qualitative potential. The harvest took place slightly earlier than the harvest of the Rosso di Montalcino and Brunello di Montalcino grapes. This slightly earlier harvest is to preserve the finesse and elegance of the wine and not to over extract body and structure. Lèonus is a soft tannin wine with silky smooth characteristics, capable of being versatile in its consumption, but always maintaining the amazing characteristics of Sangiovese di Montalcino.

Bold wine Style logoCortonesi_La_Mannella_Brunello_Di_Montalcino_bottleCortonesi
La Mannella
Brunello di Montalcino
Tuscany, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

A luscious Brunello with bountiful aromas of dark fruit with dried cherry, blackcurrant and plum. On a second wave of aromas, you encounter softer spice with toasted almond, tilled earth and grilled herb. This is a classic expression of the crisp but sunny vintage with an open and food-friend personality. There is a playful touch of sweet cherry on the finish.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Analysis: 14.2% alcohol / volume
  • Varietal: 100% Sangiovese
  • Appellation: DOCG Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy
  • pH: 3.4
  • Total Acidity: 6.1 g/L
  • RS: 0 g/L
  • Critical Acclaim:
    • “The Cortonesi 2018 Brunello di Montalcino La Mannella is similar to the Poggiarelli in terms of brightness and fruit wealth, yet this wine is perhaps more savory, spicy and accessible…” – 93 pts. Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
    • “…Full-bodied, its ample fruit is evenly balanced through the palate, with ripe tannins and a fresh mineral texture. It offers notes of fresh leather, ripe cherry, cedar, and warming spices throughout…” – 93 pts. Jeb Dunnuck
    • 95 pts. Wine Enthusiast Magazine

VITICULTURE:
The grapes for this wine come from the heart of Montalcino, on 19 acres of family-owned vines situated both on a 984 foot hill on the north side of the city (near the Montosoli Zone) and on the southeast side (in the East Zone). One of the coolest growing areas in the appellation at moderate 382.8 yards (350 meters) above sea level. The soil on the north side is rocky clay, with excellent exposure to the sun and a large number of stones, while the soil on the south side is clay with sandy soil of good drainage.

VINIFICATION:
After careful selection of the hand-picked grapes, fermentation takes place with maceration for 20 days in stainless steel vats at controlled temperatures between 78.8° F – 86° F. The wine then spends 36 months in 3000-liter Slavonian oak casks. The combination of great passion for winemaking of the Cortonesi family, the high altitude, diversity of soils, and traditional winemaking process gives to the La Mannella Brunello di Montalcino great finesse, elegance, and immense aging potential.

FAMILY:
Brunello di Montalcino of Tuscany has been called “The King of Wines” and this “king” is what Cortonesi specializes in. The Cortonesis established La Mannella in the 1970s, covering 138 acres in one of the most storied areas of the entire region of Montalcino, but only 19 of those acres are dedicated to producing a world-class Brunello. They started commercially selling their wine in 1985. Today, the wines are in the more-than-capable hands of Tommaso Cortonesi, a third-generation winemaker. The first vintage of Cortonesi’s Brunello arrived in 1990, which took advantage of the rocky, well-drained soils of the vineyard site, ensuring a long-aging wine. Likewise, modern technological advances go a long way in producing outstanding wine.

Information and Photos © Cortonesi and Quintessential Wines – All Rights Reserved.

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November Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubTropical_Blueberry_bottleTropical Moscato
Blueberry Moscato
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Ruby-red in color, with both fruity and floral aromas. On the palate, it is sweet and smooth. There are distinct notes of the real blueberries used to make this naturally flavored Moscato.

  • Varietal: 95% Moscato, 5% All Natural Italian Blueberries
  • Residual Sugar: 110 g/L
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Producer: Luca Bosio
  • Viticulture: The Moscato grapes for this wine come from vineyards located in Santo Stefano Belbo villages, at 200 to 300 feet above sea level
  • Vinification: Vinification without skins. Five days of fermentation in steel tanks at a low temperature of 59ºF. All natural real blueberries from the Italian Alps are then added for a contact period of 24 hours.
  • Serving Hints: Tropical Blueberry Moscato is delicious when enjoyed on its own. It also makes an excellent addition to craft cocktail recipes. Try one of their cocktail recipes here >

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The Blueberry Moscato from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a dessert cheese such as a Blueberry Stilton. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Tropical_Strawberry_bottleTropical Moscato
Strawberry Moscato
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

This Moscato comes from a grape variety that has probably the highest level of complex aromas of any Piedmont grape. The Strawberry Moscato wine has the distinctive Moscato aroma and flavor, with added complexity from the real strawberries sourced from the Italian Alps. In every bottle of Tropical Strawberry Moscato, there are approximately 10 real strawberries inside.

  • Varietal: 95% Moscato, 5% All Natural Italian Strawberries
  • Residual Sugar: 120 g/L
  • Total Acidity: 5.5 g/L
  • Producer: Luca Bosio
  • Viticulture: The Moscato grapes for this wine come from vineyards located in Santo Stefano Belbo villages, at 200 to 300 feet above sea level.
  • Vinification: Vinification without skins. Five days of fermentation in steel tanks at a low temperature of 59ºF. All natural real blueberries from the Italian Alps are then added for a contact period of 24 hours.
  • Serving Hints: Tropical Strawberry Moscato is delicious when enjoyed on its own. It also makes an excellent addition to craft cocktail recipes. Try one of their cocktail recipes here >

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: The Strawberry Moscato from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a soft or pungent cheese such as a creamy brie or Camembert cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

Tropical Strawberry Moscato Lemonade in a large pitcher

Tropical Strawberry Moscato Lemonade

ABOUT THE WINE:
Where Italy meets the Tropics—flows Tropical Moscato, a sparkling wine made from premium Moscato from Piedmont, Italy. The wines are infused with 100% real fruit in every bottle; real passion fruit and mango from Brazil, Italian white peaches, cranberries, strawberries and blueberries from the Italian Alps, grapefruit and limes from Sicily and ginger from Vietnam. Tropical’s second line, Tropical Lux Mango and Passion Fruit Moscato, is only 90 calories with 5.5% alcohol. There are never any artificial ingredients or added sugar. Tropical Moscato is the brainchild of Italian winemaker Luca Bosio. Charismatic and dynamic, Luca is the third generation of his family to tend to the approximately 60 acres of gently sloping hillsides of Italy’s Northeastern Piedmont region. Luca’s Masters of Oenology education enabled him to utilize technological innovations such as the development and use of native yeasts and decreasing the use of chemical additives like sulphur dioxide. He also created new techniques to preserve the aroma and structure of Moscato.  Try on of their seaonal cocktail recipes here >

Information and photos © Quintessential Wines and Tropical Moscato – All Rights Reserved.

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“Wine” not try our Sweet Club! 

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October Cheese Club: Iowa

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Cheese Clubfontina-valle-daostaFontina Val d’Aosta Semi-Soft Cheese Cow’s Milk Aosta Valley, Italy

The production of this cheese dates all the way back to the middle ages. The recipe has been passed down from generation to generation in the Aosta Valley. It is a classic Italian cheese and its name is protected to keep the true form of the cheese. The paste is smooth and buttery, essential for making Italian Fonduta (fondue) and perfect for gratins. Milk: Cow Country: Italy Pasteurization: Raw Region: Aosta Valley, Italy Age: 90+ days Fat: 45% Protection: D.O.P. WINE & CRAFT BEER PAIRINGS: For wine, pair this cheese with this month’s Wine Club Primitivo. For beer, look for a lager. WINESTYLES: Bold BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean Information © Zuercher & Co. – All Rights Reserved.

Divina-Sicilian-Olives-Deli-CupDivina Market Marinated Olives with Sicilian Herbs Greece

A dynamic duo of buttery, pitted Mt. Athos green olives gently marinated with their custom blend of zesty, aromatic Sicilian herbs and spices. PAIRING RECOMMENDATIONS: A great pairing with almost any cheese, as well as a variety of lighter beers and crisp white wines. WINESTYLES: Crisp BEERSTYLES: Crisp & Clean About Divina Market: Divina believes that great food should give back. Beginning with their partnerships in the fields with family-owned, sustainable farms, they help preserve timeless culinary heritages while their collection of olives, preserved vegetables and spreads simplify the joy of cooking and entertaining. Learn more > Information © Zuercher & Co., Divina Market and Food Match – All Rights Reserved.

Join our Cheese Club and bring home a match made in heaven!Match Made in Heaven!

If you enjoy pairing cheese with wine, this is your club!  Each month you’ll discover specialty and artisan cheeses to pair with your Wine Club. Monthly cheese selections are chosen by your local WineStyles participating location. It’s the perfect opportunity to Taste, Learn and Enjoy® amazing artisan cheese every month! Only $19.99/month and your wine won’t be lonely!  Click to learn more >

October Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine ClubPitule-Moscato-Bottle ImagePitulé
Moscato d’Asti DOCG
Piedmont, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Pitulé Moscato d’Asti is a classic semi-sweet sparkling wine. It is yellow straw in color with gold reflections. It is deliciously sweet with bright, fruity grape flavors, a refreshing, yet delicate honey and peach finish, and a slight spritz.

  • Varietal: 100% Moscato
  • Appellation: Moscato d’Asti DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
  • Vinification: Grapes are gently pressed and the juice is kept cold to prevent total fermentation. This retains a small amount of residual sugar in the wine.
  • Food Pairing: Classic wine for desserts and fruit. Served chilled.
  • Critical Acclaim: 90 pts. James Suckling – 2020

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with any rich, soft cheeses such as a goat’s milk cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Pitulé is produced by the Sperone family who have been making affordable premium wines for four generations. In 1911, Antonio Sperone opened a small wine shop in Torino where he sold bulk wine directly to consumers. Unsatisfied with the quality and price of the local wine, Antonio started his own winery in Puglia and built a bottling facility in Torino. He was soon able to offer his customers quality wines at prices everyone could afford. Sadly, it was destroyed when the city was bombed in WWII. The winery in Puglia survived the war and enabled Antonio’s grandson Giacomo to open a new facility in 1965 near Milan where he produced vermouth, sparkling wines, spirits and fine wines. In 1983, the family purchased 75 acres of prime vineyards in Piedmont and built the current winery in the small town of Mombaruzzo just outside Monferrato.

Information and photos © Pitulé – All Rights Reserved.

Bitch-Bubbly-Rose-Bottle-ImageBitch Wines
Bubbly Sparkling Rosé
Penedes, Spain

NECTAR WINE STYLE

With hues of Honeycrisp apple and scarlet, this wine has a strawberry mousse and a petillant style of bubbles that are slightly softer than traditional sparklers. There are notes of sweet red berries and a red cherry conserve on the nose. The palate highlights flavors of strawberry jam with the added depth of red cherries and currants. The fruit sweetness is balanced with the crisp refreshing tang of the bubbles.

  • Blend: Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo, Carignan
  • Elaboration: Skin Contact Method. According to Methode Ancestrale – a traditional method of making sparkling wine that is, in fact, the world’s most ancient. The wine is bottled before the primary fermentation is finished, delivering a lower pressure, lightly sparkling wine in the petillant style. The wine is finished without the addition of secondary yeasts or sugars.

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

ABOUT THE WINERY:
“After a fateful trip to Australia in the late 90’s, Dan Phillips was hooked on Grenache. There to publish a story about Shiraz for Food & Wine, shortly after, Dan invested his life savings in a container of Shiraz and was off and running. Grenache soon took over his life. Dan purchased all the Australian Grenache he could from Northern Barossa. This was around the early 2000’s when Grenache was looked down upon, mainly because people associated Grenache with White Grenache, a grape used to make cheap, sweeter wines. Stuck with 1000’s of cases of Grenache-labeled wine that he could not sell, Dan had a problem. Not one to shrink from a challenge, he enlisted the help of world-famous font designer, Jeff Keedy to help produce a new brand for his beloved Grenache. After hours of brainstorming (and numerous bottles of wine) Jeff seized on an idea of Dan’s to call his new brand, Bitch. According to Dan, “Bitch is an ugly sounding, and looking, harsh word. His (Jeff’s) challenge was to make it beautiful. He decided to create a custom font for Bitch.” The Bitch font was created (left) as well as the dagger in the heart logo, which Dan believes is just as responsible for the success of the brand as the word. The word was left to exist on its own to allow consumers to bring their own experience to it. To sum it all up, Dan says, “Bitch is a verb, to bitch about life, which is our logo, the dagger in the heart, and the essence of wine drinking as it is the essence of blues music and life itself. It is WHY we drink wine. As I say, ‘life’s a bitch and then we drink.’” – Grape Expectations

Information and photos © Grape Expectations and the Grateful Palate – All Rights Reserved.

Sweet ClubLove the Sweet life?
“Wine” not try our Sweet Club! 

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Giustini Avoglia Primitivo Puglia

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Stuffed-EggplantStuffed Aubergine Italian Style

INGREDIENTS:

  • 4 small aubergines (eggplants)
  • ½ cup stale bread, crumbled
  • pinch of oregano
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 medium clove garlic, minced
  • 12 grape tomatoes, washed and diced
  • 1 tbsp capers, halved
  • a handful of fresh basil, hand-torn
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • breadcrumbs for topping

DIRECTIONS:

  • Wash and slice the eggplants in half lengthwise, leaving the stem intact.
  • Using a small knife, cut lengthwise and widthwise in a grid pattern then use a teaspoon to scoop out the aubergine flesh in a medium bowl.
  • Drizzle the 8 halves with e.v.o. oil, season with salt and place in a baking dish.
  • Preheat the oven to 350° F
  • Dip the stale bread in water, add 1 Tbsp e.v.o. oil and a pinch of oregano, then crumble it using your hands.
  • Add it to the cubed aubergines, together with the minced garlic, the halved capers, the diced tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, 2-3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil and the hand-torn basil and mix.
  • With a table spoon fill the aubergine halves.
  • Sprinkle with bread crumbs, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, add a basil leaf.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 40 minutes or until fork tender and golden top.

© Recipe and Photo courtesy of Sugar Love Spices. All rights reserved.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Bold wine Style logoAvoglia Primitivo-bottle-imageTenuta Giustini Winery
Avoglia
Primitivo
Puglia, Italy

BOLD WINE STYLE

Ruby red color with violet hues. On the nose, the wine highlights red berry fruits, blackberry and plum. It is soft and harmonious in taste.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: Primitivo
  • Appellation: Puglia IGP
  • Analysis: 13.5% alcohol / volume
  • Production Area: San Giorgio Ionico (TA), Salento, Puglia
  • Vine Training: Bilateral Guyot
  • Average Age of Vines: 10-15 years old
  • Soil: Medium textured with a good fertility
  • Harvest: First 10 days of September
  • Vinification: Thermo-controlled maceration and alcoholic fermentation with selected yeasts for about 10 days.
  • Aging: In stainless steel tanks
  • Serving Recommendation: Savory first courses, red meats and medium-aged cheese
  • Serving Temperature: 57.2ºF-60.8ºF
  • Longevity: 3 years

ABOUT TENUTA GIUSTINI WINERY:
Tenuta Giustini Wines is lead by Giuseppe Papadopoli together with his sons, Salvatore and Fedrico.  Guiseppe is the heart of the company and applies the experience of four generations of growing the highest quality of grapes in his vineyards. Salvatore is a young and passionate enologis with the desire to experiment and extract the best juice from his father’s work. Federico, on the other hand, is the cellar master and running all the daily operations.  Giustini is a family-owned winery that is committed to continuous improvement and its passion for wine. The winery is located in San Giorgio, a small village that is part of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC wine region and each family member plays an important role in the winery’s success. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Tenuta Giustini Winery – All Rights Reserved.

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Giustini Avoglia Fiano Puglia Italy

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Seafood-ChowderCreamy Seafood Chowder

INGREDIENTS:

  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay® seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon thyme
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 stalk celery sliced
  • 1 carrot sliced
  • 1 pound potatoes peeled and cubed
  • ½ cup corn
  • 5 cups broth seafood or chicken
  • ½ cup white wine
  • 8 ounces white fish cut into chunks (cod/salmon/tilapia/haddock)
  • 8 ounces scallops
  • 12 ounces shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 6 ½ ounce chopped clams canned, drained
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon parsley

DIRECTIONS:

  • Cook onion in butter until tender. Add flour, Old Bay® seasoning and thyme and cook 2-3 minutes.
  • Add carrot, celery, potato, corn, broth and wine & bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
  • Stir in seafood and cream. Cook until fish is fully cooked and flaky and potatoes are tender, about 8-10 minutes.
  • Stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.

© Recipe and Photo courtesy of Spend with Pennies. All rights reserved.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Crisp Wine StyleAvoglia Fiano-bottle-imageTenuta Giustini Winery
Avoglia
Fiano Puglia IGP
Puglia, Italy

CRISP WINE STYLE

Straw yellow in color with a floral aroma and notes of white pulp fruit. This wine has a fresh and prolonged taste.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: Fiano
  • Appellation: Puglia IGP, Italy
  • Analysis: 12% alcohol / volume
  • Production Area: San Giorgio Ionico (TA), Salento, Puglia
  • Vine Training: Bilateral Guyot
  • Average Age of Vines: 10-15 years old
  • Soil: Medium textured with a good fertility
  • Harvest: First 10 days of September
  • Vinification: Destemming and soft pressing of the grapes, without any maceration. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 60.8ºF.
  • Aging: In stainless steel tanks
  • Serving Recommendation: Seafood starters, vegetarian dishes, soft cheese
  • Serving Temperature: 50ºF-53.6ºF
  • Longevity: 2 years

ABOUT TENUTA GIUSTINI WINERY:
Tenuta Giustini Winery is a family-owned winery that is located in San Giorgio, a small village that is part of the Primitivo di Manduria DOC region.  For four generations, the Papadopli family has been passing down traditions, experience and passion for wine. Giustini Winery is led by Giuseppe Papadopoli and his sons Salvatore and Federico. Each family member plays an important role in the winery’s success. Learn more here.

Information & Photos © Giustini Wines – All Rights Reserved.

Wine club logoJoin our WINE CLUB and enjoy these amazing wines and pairing recipes each month. Plus, you’ll receive 10% off all retail wine purchases!

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October Wine Club Pairing Recipe

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Mushroom-RisottoMushroom Risotto

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup Aborio rice
  • ¼ cup shallots
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon butter 
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
  • ¼ cup white wine
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup mushrooms
  • 1 tablespoon parsley

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a large skillet or frying pan and bring to medium high heat, add shallots and cook until translucent (about 2-3 minutes). Add Arborio rice & mushrooms, stir to coat rice and mushrooms with oil.
  2. Increase heat to high, add white wine.  Let rice and mushrooms absorb the wine while the wine cooks off (2-4 minutes). Reduce heat back to medium high.
  3. Add about half the chicken stock.  As the rice absorbs the stock continue adding stock gradually. Stir constantly. *Preferably, your chicken stock is in a sauce pan and warmed for best results and a shorter cooking time.
  4. Continue cooking until the rice is almost all the way cooked through, it should be al dente with a firm center (approx. 15-20 min).
  5. When rice is cooked, reduce heat to low. Add butter and stir, then gently stir in the Parmesan cheese reserving some for topping the risotto.

© Recipe courtesy of Bake it with Love.

OCTOBER WINE CLUB:

Mellow style logoAvoglia Susumaniello_bottle-imageTenuta Giustini Winery
Avoglia
Susumaniello Puglia IGP
Puglia, Italy

MELLOW WINE STYLE

Ruby red color with violet hues. Fragrant notes of red berried fruit, cherry, raspberry, currant. Fruity and velvety taste.

WINE DETAILS:

  • Varietal: Susumaniello
  • Appellation: Puglia IGP, Italy
  • Analysis: 13% alcohol / volume
  • Production Area: San Giorgio Ionico (TA), Salento, Puglia
  • Vine Training: Bilateral Guyot
  • Average Age of Vines: 10-15 years old
  • Soil: Medium textured with a good fertility
  • Harvest: Second half of September
  • Vinification: Destemming and maceration of the grapes for 6-8 days, alcoholic fermentation with selected yeasts at a controlled temperature of 71.6º-75.2ºF
  • Aging: In stainless steel tanks
  • Serving Recommendation: Italian style starters, white meat, mushroom risotto
  • Serving Temperature: 57.2ºF-60.8ºF
  • Longevity: 3 years

Giustini Family WineryABOUT TENUTA GIUSTINI WINERY:
Tenuta Giustini Winery is a family-owned winery that is committed to continuous improvement and its passion for wine. The winery is located in a unique terroir near the sea and is led by Giuseppe Papadopoli and his sons Salvatore and Federico. Each family member plays an important role in the winery’s success.

In 1991, after spending years handling vineyards for some of the most productive companies in the area, Giuseppe Papadopoli sensed that the Apulian wine market was changing. He decided it was time for his family to take on a new adventure. The purchase of their first hectares marked a turning point, the name of that contrada (district) is Giustini. By careful and manual selection of Negroamaro grapes, they created their first label named Vecchio Sogno (meaning old dream). It was their grandfather’s dream to have his own winery one day.  It marks the transition from commodity to brand, from the economics of bulk to the direct relationship with the end consumer. In 2015, Giustini found their winery home in San Giorgio, Italy –  a dream come true.  Today, they continue their indissoluble connection with their land and the indigenous varieties they cultivate. Giustini’s goal is to preserve the grapes’ characteristics in order to enhance and never distort. Minimum interventions in the vineyard and targeted refinements in the cellar give their wines the aroma and scents of the grapes from which they come to life.  Learn more here.

Information & Photo © Giustini Wines – All Rights Reserved.

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July Sweet Club: Iowa

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Sweet Wine Clubcaposaldo_moscato_blue_bottleCaposaldo
Moscato
Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Made using handpicked grapes from 20-year-old guyot-trained vines, this Moscato is bright golden yellow in color, with an assertive mix of exotic fruit with spicy aromas that create a fresh, vivacious and highly polished palate. 

Varietal: 100% Moscato Bianco
Analysis: 7% alcohol / volume
Grapes: 100% handpicked
Region: Lombardy, Italy
Appellation: Provincia di Pavia IGT
RS: 110 g/L
TA: 6.2 g/L
pH: 3.18
Pairing: Fresh fruits, fruit pies, and tarts
Critical Acclaim: 98 points – Sunset International Wine Competition | 94 points – Winemaker Challenge International

Winery Notes:
Caposaldo Moscato comes from the cool, maritime climate of Provincia di Pavia in northern Italy’s Lombardy region. Here the 20-year-old guyot-trained vines benefit from the blend of white marl and chalk soils in the low-yielding hillside vineyards. Grapes are handpicked and then undergo a temperature-controlled fermentation that results in a fine, persistent effervescence.

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

Summer Sun Collins_CocktailCaposaldo Cocktail Crew – “Summer Sun Collins”:

  • 1 ½ oz Caposaldo Moscato
  • ¾ oz Acqua de Cedro liqueur
  • ½ oz passion fruit syrup
  • ½ oz lemon juice
  • splash of soda water
  • garnish with mint bouquet
  • ENJOY!

© Recipe and photo courtesy of Caposaldo.

MoscatoHeader_Caposaldo

caposaldo_sparkling_peach_bottleCaposaldo
Sparkling Peach Moscato
Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

Soft and elegant with lively bubbles, this sweet sparkling wine has intense aromas and flavors of freshly picked peaches, honeysuckle and citrus. 

Analysis: 6.4% alcohol / volume
Grapes: 100% handpicked grapes
Region: Italy
RS: 95 g/L
TA: 4.4 g/L
pH: 3.15
Pairing: Light desserts, such as pastries, sorbet or fresh fruit
Fermentation: A preferred natural second fermentation results in a superior effervescence

Winery Notes:
The grapes grow on the cool hilltops of northern Italy’s Lombardy region, where the northern-lying Alps shield the low-yielding hillside vineyards from harsh weather and the 20-year-old Guyot-trained vines benefit from a superb blend of white marl and chalky soils. During harvest, the fruit is carefully handpicked and pressed. Finally natural peach aromas are added for a truly special wine. 

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing: These sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section will pair well with a fresh goat cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.
Sparkling Peach on the Beach_Caposaldo
Caposaldo Cocktail Crew – “Sparkling Peach on the Beach”:

  • 2 cups of Caposaldo Sparkling Peach
  • 2 oz peach schnapps muddled with peach slices
  • garnish with grapefruit slice
  • ENJOY!

© Recipe and photo courtesy of Caposaldo.

SparklingPeachHeader_Caposaldo

About Caposaldo Winery:
Caposaldo blends a handcrafted, artisanal approach to winemaking with cutting-edge quality standards and techniques, so that it stands as a benchmark of iconic Italian wines. The fruit for each Caposaldo wine is hand harvested from low-yielding vineyards in prime growing areas in the classic wine regions of Tuscany, Veneto and Lombardy. Modern scientific techniques are used in the cellar, including cold temperature stainless steel fermentations and judicious use of oak, resulting in a pure expression of each wine type. Learn more here.

Information and photos © Caposaldo and Kobrand Fire Wine & Spirits – All Rights Reserved.

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