Starting Your Italian Wine Journey? Try These 3 Wines!
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Taste Your Way Through Tuscany with Dogajolo Rosso
Dogajolo Rosso
Dreaming of a vacation in Tuscany in Spring? Me too. Spring might be the best of the year to visit Tuscany with its enchanting countryside and the incredibly beautiful Tuscan towns! From the rolling hills of Siena, through the cobblestone streets of Florence, to the vineyards of Montepulciano...just like in paintings, with history and architecture that fascinates, and with delicious food and wine!
With a year in the global pandemic, the world is slowly returning back to normalcy. That means, hopefully, soon we can all travel to our dream destinations. Until then, allow me to transport you to Tuscany through this gorgeous Dogajolo Rosso!
Let’s start with the name. “Dogajolo” is derived from the word “doga” - which means stave, the narrow strips of wood used to form oak casks. There are many reasons to fall in love with Tuscan wines. They are food-friendly, relatively easy to understand, can be enjoyed young or aged. As a globally famous and important wine region, the wines are fairly easy to source and you don’t need to break the bank for even some of the outstanding quality wines!
Back to the wine. This bottle of 2018 is a blend of 70% Sangiovese, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon. Enticing scents of fresh, sappy cherry and blackberry on the nose, slowly evolving into sweet spice with some floral notes. Tannins are tamed and caressing, with a pleasant lingering finish. Round, supple, and super approachable. An elegant, balanced, and romantic wine that would be fantastic to drink just by itself, or like me, pair with some Italian cheese and salami for a cozy, lazy Sunday afternoon!
Oh and even better, it’s less than $20 - great for everyday drinking, don’t you agree?
Italy’s Forgotten Noble Red - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano
We all love Italian wines, but have you heard of Vino Nobile di Montepulciano?
Vino Nobile di Montepulciano—the noble wine of Montepulciano. It has a great, resonant ring to it. Located in south-eastern Tuscany, between Montalcino and the border with Umbria, it is a historic denomination reflected in the name of the top wine, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Viticulture here dates back many centuries to Etruscan times. Throughout history, the wines were favored amongst Italian Kings, Popes, Presidents - and celebrated as wine of the nobles. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano was written about in the poem "Bacco in Toscana" by Francesco Redi, who described it as "the king of all wines". Thomas Jefferson also fell under the spell - “For the present I confine myself to the physical want of some good Montepulciano…this being a very favorite wine and habit having rendered the light and high flavored wines of a necessary of life with me. It was most superlatively good.”
This Sangiovese-based red is just as noteworthy as its celebrated Tuscan neighbors, Chianti and Brunello. Traditionally, the wines were full-bodied and austere, requiring aging in the bottle. However, some major changes in recent years have allowed the wines to be able to be consumed in their youth also - methods include shorter extraction periods and the use of small format French oak for maturation.
A young Nobile, such as this “Carpineto Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2016” is fruit-forward and juicy, vibrant with aromas of ripe red fruit and mixed spice. It has a straightforward and approachable style that is very appealing. Thanks to its bright acidity and great structure, this wine will probably also age beautifully, evolving into some delicious tobacco, candied fruit flavors. With Nobile, there’s no need to choose between now or never– you can enjoy it today, tomorrow, and twenty years down the line! You can probably see why it’d make a perfect fit not only for Italian cuisine but for an array of other foods as well, such as spicy Asian food or simply some yummy tacos from your favorite food truck!
Montepulciano’s glorious past and its links to the local terroir, its history, and the Vino Nobile remain essential elements in order to guarantee present and future quality and authenticity. Despite its prestigious history, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is still very underrated and has not been discovered by many yet, especially in the US - which means, it is a bargain compared with its Tuscan neighbors, while still rivaling them in quality. Consider bringing one to your next dinner party or holiday gathering!
The Pure Expression of Sangiovese - Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino
Brunello di Montalcino is one of Italy's most revered and prestigious wines, arguably representing the apex of what the Sangiovese grape is capable of. Whether or not it is the best is entirely up to you, but it’s one of those wines every wine lover should know and try.
Montalcino is in southern Tuscany and the denomination is named after the town of the same name. In general, the area is warmer than Chianti Classico and drier, as it is protected from rain by Monte Amiata to the south but, in most years, there is still adequate rainfall for vines to flourish. These conditions allow wines with ripe fruit, full body, and high alcohol. The area also benefits from cooling breezes at night from the Mediterranean Sea, helping to preserve acidity. Brunello di Montalcino DOCG must be 100% Sangiovese and requires extended aging: it may not be released until 1 January five years after the harvest, and aging must include two years in oak. However, similar to many other regions, some modernists started to pursue a 'fruitier' style in the last few decades including shortening the barrel maturation time and experimenting with French oak barriques.
Brunello’s flavors are greatly influenced by the age of the wine. Young Brunellos are filled with bright, ripe fruit and fresh flower flavors, with very firm tannins. Meanwhile, old Brunello’s flavor profile offers significant changes, revealing notes of dried, candied fruits, nuts, leather, and chocolate, with more refined tannins. This 2015 opens to alluring aromas of fresh blueberry, wild cherry, and sweet spice. Smooth and full-bodied yet elegant, the savory, juicy palate delivers similar fruit but also subtle layers of smoke and menthol. The vibrant structure keeps it pulsing through the long, mineral-infused finish - showing fine balance and complexity.
This is the kind of wine that calls for heavier dishes, such as garlic & rosemary grilled lamb chops or game with mushroom sauces. It also can bond well with heavy pasta dishes, stews, and powerful cheeses - just remember to open it well in advance of serving to allow it to breathe.
Grab some meat, start a fire, pour some wine, and the magic begins!
This article was created in partnership with Carpineto.