June 11, 2008 Varano's Wine Tasting
The Varano's wine tasting event was an event to remember, hosted by Dick and Sherri Varano and Roger and Juli Sibley. The guests were decided from a random
drawing from our Mile Road Rewards members who had dined at Varano's during the month of May and spent a minimum of forty dollars. A total of 11 different wines
from all different regions of Italy were tasted accompanied with various fruit, bread, and hors d'oeuvres. Everyone had a wonderful time tasting the various wines
and asking all sorts of questions about how the wine was grown and produced. Below is a list of all the wines that were tasted.
Zardetto Prosseco (n/v), Veneto
A refreshing sparkling white to cleanse the palate. Accompanied with strawberries, crackers and cheese.
Argiolas Vermentino Costa 2006, Sardinia
Made up of 90% Vermentino grapes and 10% local grapes indigenous to Sardinia. The wine is a straw yello color with a hint of green highlights. The bouquet is both intense, yet delicate, with aromas of citrus, pineapple and tropical fruits. This wine pairs well with fis, pastas, salads, white meats and risotto.
La Carraia Orvieto Classico 2006, Umbria
Owned by the renowned eonologist, Riccardo Cotarella, Orvieto has been around since medieval times, when it was a favorite wine of the Papacy. A blend of 40% Gracheto, 30% Trebbiano and 30% Malvasia, all grown in the surrounding hills of historic Orvietto. The wine is pale yellow with an intense perfume of Mediterranean flowers. Fresh on the palate with a full, rich taste of almonds. Pairs well with seafood dishes but structured enough to accompany cured meats, pasta, omeletes and even delicately roasted white meats.
Zenato Pinot Grigio 2006, Venezia
Made of 100% Pinot Griogio grapes, pale yellow in color with greenish highlights, with hints of citrus and honey. This wine is to be enjoyed young when one can best appreciate it's zesty fruitiness. Refreshing and soft with a smooth finish, this is a great wine for any occassion. This wine pairs well with risotto, lightly flavored pastas, quiches and grilled white meats or salmon.
Librandi Ciro Rosato 2007, Calabria
Made of 100% Gaglioppo grapes grown in the countryside of the small town of Ciro Marina, overlooking the Ionion Sea. The wine has aromas both spicy and floral. A great summer wine that is refreshing and pairs well with cured meats, antipasti, eggplant parmesan, grilled fish, white meats and spicy dishes.
Morgante Nero D'Avola 2005, Sicily
Made of 100% Nero D'Avola grapes, planted 1400 to 1600 feet above sea level. This wine is matured in French barriques for 4 months and refined in the bottle for another 4 months before release. The wine has an intense ruby red color with aromas of ripe black cherry and blackberry, followed by some spicy nothes of vanilla and black pepper. This wine is bursting with flavor of ripe fruit and exotic spice and balanced by pleasant acidity and silky tannins. This wine is delicious with roasted meats, eggplant parmesan, pasta, grilled pork chops and veal casseroles.
Di Majo Norante Ramitello 2003, Molise
A blend of 80% Prugnolo (the local name for Sangiovese) and 20% Aglianico. Thiswine is aged in large Slavonian Oak barrles for several years, followed by an additional 6 months in the bottle prior to release. Producing a deep ruby red wine with violet reflections, with aromas of plums and licorice. A perfect match for rich dishes, such as grilled meats, game or aged cheeses.
Nebbiolo D'Alba 2006, Piedmont
Made of 100% Nebbiolo, the grape used for Barolo or Barbaresco. An ancient wine from the Roero District (sany hills situated above the banks of the Tanaro River) it was already a fixture at the Royal Savoia Cellars in the early 17th century. The wine is aged in oak barrles for one year and then 3-6 months in the bottle. The resulting wine is a slightly faded ruby red in color with a delicate bouqet with trace scents of strawberry and raspberry. A great food wine, pairing well with grilled or roasted red meats, game, white meats with brown sauces.
Masi Campfiorin 2004, Veneto
A blend of 70% Corvina, 25% Rondinella and 15% Molinara grapes (the typical blend of Amarone). This wine has a double fermentation process, after the wine is fermented the first time using 75% of the grapes, the wine is re-fermented with the remaining 25% of the grapes which have been dried. The process enriches the wine in alcohol, in color, in extracts and in soft and elegant tannins. The wine is aged in large oak barrles for 18 months and then an additional 3 months in the bottle. The resulting wine is a deep ruby red color with violet tingees to the edges, full of spice and fruit with hints of plum and cherry jam. A very versatile wine, perfect with pasta with rich sauces, grilled or roastee meats, game or mature cheeses.
Palazzo delle Torre 2004, Veneto
A blend of 70% Corvina 25% Rondinella and 5% Sangiovese, producing a full bodied wine made in an innovative ripasso style. After the harvest, 70% of the grapes are vinified immediately, the remaining 30% are dried until December, they are the vinified and re-fermented with the wine from the fresh grapes. This wine is dense and ruby red in color loaded with aromas of currant, blackberry and licorice. The wine is aged 17 months in barriques and 7 monthes in the bottle. Full bodied and rich this wine pairs well with grilled or roasted meats and barbecued ribs. This wine was voted by Wine Spectator as one the "Top 100 Wines of the World" for five years in a row, froom 2000-2005
Masi Costasera Amarone Classico 1997, Veneto
An amazing Amarone from Masi, read about it
by clicking here.
