An Italian Tour

This month we pass through the valleys a few Italian regions, sampling the treasures along the way. Soave, Dolcetto, Pecorino (no, not the cheese) are all stops on our August tour.

The whites provide a mix of the classic to the unfamiliar.  A Pinot Grigio is of course with us. This light, easy to drink wine is undoubtedly the most tested Italian wine in your fridge. We also bring in a very up market Chardonnay from the Langhe. Piemont is always welcome for its elegance. And while we are up market, we move a little to the East for a Soave from the region around Verona.  This 100% Garganega is surely what Romeo and Juliet were drinking on their dates!. We also introduce a little known and forgotten grape Pecorino. I don’t get it. Who would want to forget such a delicate, fruity wine with a perfect amount of minerals. 100% delicious even without the cheese.

And while we are in Verona, we may as well taste the Valpolicella they are so famous for – and we taste two. The Classico is a medium bodied wine with light tannin perfect for a sandwich or your spaghetti aglio e olio. The Second is a Ripasso and an altogether different beast. Full and jamy from the partially dried skins used in fermentation. This is Amarone’s first cousin and needs to be drank on a special occasion! We now travel south to the Tuscan stronghold of Montepulciano for an organic wine full of cherries and forest fruit. I can’t think of drinking wines from this region without a huge helping of red sauce. Pasta, ragu, whatever – you decide. We end our trip back in Piedmont with one of my favorites Dolcetto. The least tannic of the Piedmont wines and the easiest to drink, this one’s full body will be a surprise for your travelled pallet.

So strap your self in and get ready for a ride. We are finishing off this summer holiday with an Italian “Best Of” !!! – Cheers

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