Girls on Grapes ::

welcome | how it works | sign up | grape of the month |

Southern Italy

What better way to forget the snow, rain, and sleet of an East Coast winter than with wine from the heart of the sunny Mediterranean? Italy is one of the world?s leading producers of wine, and what is unique about Italy is that vines are cultivated nearly everywhere in the country, not just in pocketed regions. Italian wines range widely due to a diversity of climates and grapes. Southern Italy has a sun-baked climate where local grapes thrive, producing potent reds and vibrant whites. Wines from Southern Italy are probably a group that you haven?t explored in depth, so this is a good opportunity to get acquainted with them.

Regions

Sardinia - (Sardegna in Italian) northern Mediterranean island
Sicily ? (Sicilia on an Italian wine label) Mediterranean island at the tip of Italy?s boot, produces mostly white wine and Marsala
Calabria ? the toe of the boot
Basilicata ? the arch of the boot
Apulia - (Puglia in Italian) the heel of the boot, Salento is located in this region
Campania ? the ankle region, Fiano di Avellino is the gem from this area

Grapes grown in Southern Italy

Italy is home to very many different grapes, which can be quite confusing. Numerous indigenous varietals are grown in Southern Italy. These are well-suited for the climate, and many of them originated in Greece and Turkey. Growers and winemakers are also experimenting with international varieties such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

White Grapes:
Falanghina ? vibrant and flavor-packed
Fiano di Avellino ? floral scented, delicate, subtle white from Campania combining lightness and firmness
Greco di Tufo ? Substantial white from Campania with flavors of apple peel and mineral depths
Grillo ? Sicilian grape with an impressively rich character
Vermentino ? light, lemony white from Sardinia

Red Grapes:
Aglianico ? dark-skinned grape producing wines with a powerful brooding character
Negroamaro ? makes rich, roasted red wine, especially important in Puglia
Nero d?Avola - Sicily?s most important red grape, produces a smoky wine rich with character
Primitivo (same as Zinfandel) ? Big red grown throughout Puglia, much earthier and more structured than Californian Zins
Monica, Malvasia Nero, Calabrese, Prugnolo, Cannonau (same as Grenache), and many more?

Pairing Southern Italian wines with Food
Like many Old-World wines, Southern Italian wines are perfect when paired with the local cuisine of the area in which they?re produced. Try Sicilian whites with fresh fish, calamari, or mussels. Nero d?Avolas and Aglianicos go well with rustic meat dishes topped with a tomato sauce; and Montepulciano d?Abbruzzo with a nice grilled steak or rack of lamb.

Recommended Wines
Best Bargain: Picco del Sole Falanghina 2008, Campania $11.99 ($10.19 with GOGO discount)
An extroverted and aromatic white. Charming, floral, fresh, and fruity with primary flavors of apricots.

Friendliest: Cantina Zaccagnini Riserva Montepulciano d?Abruzzo 2006 $18.99 (16.14 with GOGO discount)
A traditionally styled, bold Montepulciano with a medium body and rich chocolate notes accented by high-toned red fruit.

Best in Show: Firriato ?Camelot? Cabernet/Merlot 2003, Sicily $42.99 ($35.54 with GOGO discount)
A chewy-textured Cabernet/Merlot blend with a core of dark fruit. Showing aromas of herbs and leather, this wine is a great example of what Italy can do with classic international grape varietals.

Most Interesting: Feudo Sartanna Nero d?Avola/Syrah 2008, Sicily $15.99 ($13.59 with GOGO discount)
A great pizza wine! Spicy, smoky, and red-fruited, showing just a hint of crunchy dried herbs.

Girls on Grapes Tasting Dates:

If you?d like to try Southern Italian Wines in greater depth, come to one of our tastings! We will feature a half-dozen examples of both white and red wines from the sunny South of Italy at each tasting, which are exclusively for Girls on Grapes members. If you would like to attend, please contact Bin 604 at 410.576.0444 to reserve your glass. Tickets are $19.

Monday, January 11th, 2010 (7-8pm)
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 (6-7pm)
Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 (7-8pm)

Monday, January 25th, 2010 (6-7pm)
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 (7-8pm)
Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 (6-7pm)

<< Grape of the Month

how it works :: sign up :: grape of the month :: discussion board :: Upcoming Events :: helpful stuff :: archives & notes bin604 :: bin201