October Sweet Club

Sweet Wine ClubLa Cantina Pizzolato - Moscato DolceLa Cantina Pizzolato
Moscato Dolce
Treviso, Italy

NECTAR WINE STYLE

The Organic and Vegan Dolce, or sweet, Moscato Sparkling Wine of the “So Easy” line is one of the trendiest wines in La Cantina Pizzolato’s range. Bright gold color. Aromas of honeysuckle, ripe apricot, and angel food cake with a round, vibrant, sweet medium-to-full body and a smooth, refreshing, medium-length peach nectar, sweet apple, orange marmalade, and honey finish with no oak flavor. A balanced and floral Moscato that is sure to please fans of the varietal.

Food Pairing Recommendations:
This wine can be served with all types of desserts and especially with creamy desserts. Suggested also as an aperitif with some fresh fruit or herbal and spicy cheeses.

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

Analysis:
6.5% alcohol / volume
Appellation: Moscato I.G.T.
Varietal: 100% Moscato (Muscat)
Residual Sugar: 89 gr/l
Acidity: 5.4 gr/l
Critical Acclaim:

  • Silvier Medal at AWC Vienna 2017
  • Silver Medal at IWSC International Wine&Spirits 2017
  • Diploma di Merito at Mostra Vini Triveneto of Camalò 2018
  • Silver Medal at 42° Mostra del Vino of Candelù 2017
  • DAMA D’ORO and PREMIO “TULLIO DE ROSA” as Best Sparkling wine at Enoconegliano 2017
  • Admission to the book 5StarWines of Vinitaly 2018 with 90/100
  • Bronze medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2018

 

Production:
Using soft pressing, the must remains in steel pressurized tanks, with Charmat method for 2 months, reaching up to a pressure of 2.5 atm. The bottle has been covered with a sleeve that recalls the bubbles with a floral design and communicates its personality from the first impact. Packaging is completely recyclable as the sleeve can be removed.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Founded in 1981, the company initially focused on the cattle industry and the cultivation of kiwi, peaches, strawberries, apples and pears. Grapes and wine eventually became their top selling products. In 1987, the winery started to bottle their own way – mainly producing Verduzzos, Merlots and Cabernets. Motivated by the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to drink healthy wines, the winery obtained their organic certification in 1991, the year in which the certification system was born in Italy. By 2012, the Pizzolato winery had achieved their Vegan certification. Since then, many sustainable choices have been consolidated, towards a organic innovation of the entire winery, as well as of the product.

Owner, Settimo

Owner, Settimo Pizzolatool

The present owner, Settimo Pizzolato, has many years of experience enriched by five generations that preceded him. His organic farming allows him to have good health and the ability to enrich the organic treasure that his company has. He balances the ecosystem of his land with the organization of his winery to create a wine that is a result of healthy natural grapes from his vineyards. These grapes create a wine that will remind you the tradition and well being when you taste it. Learn more about Pizzolato Winery here.

It’s been more than thirty-five harvests and I feel like I have lived so many lives; each year, each vintage is an adventure in itself, difficult, unique and unforgettable. We want to produce a wine that is suitable for everyone, can be paired with every meal, vegan or not; the most important thing is that it must be a good wine. – Settimo


Botani MuscatJorge Ordóñez & Co.
Botani Muscat Frizzante

Sierras de Málaga, Spain

NECTAR WINE STYLE

A delicate, lightly sparkling wine with a flowery, exotic nose characterized by aromas of lychee and stone fruit. This wine is 100% Muscat of Alexandria – one of the oldest clones of the Muscat family and one of the only remaining genetically unmodified vitis vinifera cultivars remaining in the world today. The seafaring Phoenicians transplanted this grape from Alexandria, Egypt to Málaga 3,000 years ago.

Food Pairing Recommendations:
Enjoy this versatile liquid gold nectar of the gods on its own or with strong cheeses, figs, pâtés, pastries and desserts. This wine should always be enjoyed well chilled.

WineStyles’ Wine and Cheese Pairing:
Sweet wines from our ‘Nectar’ section pair well with strong cheeses, such as a blue cheese. Learn more about our wine and cheese pairings here.


Analysis:
9.5% alcohol / volume
Denominacion de Origen: D.O. Málaga & D.O. Sierras de Málaga
Varietal: 100% Muscat of Alexandra
Critical Acclaim:

  • 89 pts. Jeb Dunnuck
  • 89 pts. Wine Enthusiast Magazine
  • 87 pts. Robert Parker Wine Advocate

Production:
Planted on multiple old mountainside vineyards. The vineyards in Málaga are the most extreme in all of Europe. The mountainside vineyards are planted at inclinations of up to 70°. There is no terracing, ladders, or mechanization to assist with the harvest. The winery uses traditional dry farmed viticulture and organic Gobelet trained vines. Everything is cultivated completely by hand, with minimal human intervention; the majority of the vines receive no treatments whatsoever. Primary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks using wild yeast. Secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks following the Charmat method of sparkling wine production.

ABOUT THE WINERY:
Sierras de MálagaBodegas Jorge Ordóñez Málaga, located in Ordóñez’s hometown, was founded in 2004- a partnership between Ordóñez and the Kracher family of Austria. The winery was founded with the goal of resuscitating the centuries long tradition of winemaking in Málaga, which was destroyed by the phylloxera plague in the 19th century. It was Jorge’s dream to champion his home region and restore it to its former glory.


Jorge Ordóñez Málaga produces its dry and sweet wines from Muscat of Alexandria; one of the world’s only remaining ancient (genetically uncrossed) grape varieties and the most important for commercial wine production. The Muscat of Alexandria vineyards used by Jorge Ordóñez Málaga were planted between 1902 and 1974 on un-terraced mountainside vineyards. The vast majority of steep vineyards in Europe have terraces or are mechanized in some way to protect workers and assist with harvest; the vineyards in Málaga, however, have remained untouched. All pruning and harvesting is done by hand, and mules carry six 33 pound boxes up the slopes at a time. An absolutely heroic form of viticulture.

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Sweet Club

Seafood Capellini with Saffron

seafoodClean, citrus notes of lemon and lime zest compliment the fish. The lightness of the pasta and herbs are matched by the lightness of the wine, making for an all-in-all refreshing meal.

INGREDIENTS:
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 pound shelled and deveined jumbo shrimp (8 shrimp)
• 1 pound monkfish or other firm white fish such as halibut, trimmed and cut into 8 pieces
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
• 1 serrano chile with seeds, minced
• 1 teaspoon hot paprika
• 2 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
• one 8-ounce bottle clam juice (1 cup)
• pinch of saffron threads
• 6 ounces capellini pasta, broken into 3-inch lengths
• lemon wedges, for serving

DIRECTIONS:
• In a large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil over moderately high heat. Season the shrimp and monkfish with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Cook for 6 minutes, turning once, until barely opaque throughout. Transfer to a plate.
•  In the same skillet, heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil over moderate heat. Add the tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, the serrano chile and the paprika.
•  Add the chicken stock, clam juice and saffron, season with salt and bring to a boil. Add the capellini and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and has absorbed most of the sauce, about 5 minutes.
•  Return the shrimp and monkfish to the skillet along with any accumulated juices and toss well. Transfer the pasta to bowls and garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley. Serve with lemon wedges.  Makes 4 servings.  Recipe courtesy of Food and Wine magazine.

macabeocrispMonasterio de las Viñas
Macabeo
Cariñena, Spain

Between the 12th and 18th centuries, the Corona de Aragón (Crown of Aragon) spanned territories from the east of Spain to the south of Greece, quintessential areas steeped in wine-producing prestige and culture, among which Cariñena played a prominent role. All this tradition and know-how is present today in a brand of premium quality wines, in zones at more than 1600 feet altitude and with vineyards over 40 years old, combining indigenous varieties with international ones, in homage to one of the greatest kingdoms in history.  Grapes for this wine were harvested from vines with an average age of 20-years old grown at an elevation of 1900 feet.  Traditional winemaking and aging in stainless steel gives this wine a crisp style.

This wine is a brilliant, pale yellow in color.  A nose of lemon and melon is reflected on the palate, with the addition of zesty lime.  Light bodied and easy drinking, this wine can be enjoyed on its own or with food. Pairs well with seafood capellini and saffron.” – winemaker, Marcelo Morales

winemakerWinemaker: Marcelo Morales
Appellation: Cariñena, Spain
Varietal Blend:  100% Macabeo
Analysis:
13% alcohol/volume
Critical Acclaim:
Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine.

July Wine Club pairing recipe

Rich, juicy notes of strawberries are complimented by more savory notes of violets and licorice, which meld with the flavors from the pork and anise in the recipe. The smooth, medium/full body of Monasterio de las Viñas Rerserva Red from Cariñena Spain matches the mouthfeel of the meat.

pork-chops-shallotsPork Chops with Shallots

INGREDIENTS:
• Four 8-ounce bone-in pork rib chops
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dusting
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 4 large shallots, sliced (1 ¼ cups)
• ½ teaspoon anise seeds
• ¼ cup dry red wine
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2 teaspoons tomato paste

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Season the pork chops with salt and pepper and dust with flour.

In a skillet, heat the oil until shimmering. Add the pork and cook over high heat for 1 minute. Add the butter, reduce the heat to moderately high and cook, turning once, until the chops are browned on both sides, 8 minutes. Transfer the chops to a baking sheet and bake in the oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest point registers 145°F, about 7 minutes.

Meanwhile, add the shallots and anise to the skillet and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the wine and reduce over moderately high heat to ½ cup, about 2 minutes. Add the stock and reduce by half, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook for 1 minute longer. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the chops to plates and top with the sauce. Recipe courtesy of Food & Wine Magazine.

Bold_stickerMonaterio_Reserva_wineMonasterio de las Viñas
Reserva Red
Cariñena, Spain

In the 11th century, Cistercian monks built a monastery in the Sierra de Aguarón.  Today, this region is known for its superior quality wines. Monasterio de las Viñas celebrates the history of the land by using traditional varietals sourced entirely from Aguarón. Cariñena is one of the oldest protected growing regions in Europe, receiving D.O. status in 1932.  Vines grow in reddish-brown limestone over loose rock. A continental climate and a cold, northerly wind known as cierzo contribute to the characteristic intensity of the grapes.   Harvested from vines an average age of 30-years-old grown at an elevation of 1900-2600 feet, the grapes were aged for 12-16 months in French and American oak barrels and aged in bottle for 2 years. Pairs well with pork chops and shallots.

winemaker-marcelo-morales

Winemaker Marcelo Morales

“This wine is bright ruby-red with a garnet color change at the rim.  Aroma of strawberries, violets and licorice become ripe on the palate.  Additional notes of vanilla and wood create more complexity” – Marcelo Morales, winemaker

Winemaker: Marcelo Morales
Appellation: Cariñena, Spain
Varietal Blend:  50% Grenache, 25% Tempranillo, 25% Cariñena
Analysis:
13.5% alcohol / volume
Critical Acclaim:
International Wine & Spirits Competition 2015, Bronze. Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine