Curious Case - March 2022 - Private

The Curious Case Selection

Coupon Code (for 10% off all of the below wines) - Curious0322
expires 01/05/2022

Suppose you've been following our Wine School series. In that case, you'll know that we have been concentrating on Italy for the last couple of episodes and will be continuing to do so for a couple more (5 Italian episodes in total). So continuing from this in-depth tour of Italy, we have decided to give you a snapshot view of Italian wines from 'Top to Toe' in this month's Curious Case

La Jara Organic Pinot Grigio

In a nutshell: A ripe, rounded and refreshing northern Italian Pinot Grigio with excellent body and depth.
The lowdown: Whilst this lovely, organic, Pinot Grigio comes from an estate that specialises in top-notch proseccos it was, when we tasted it, clearly a cut above a lot of other examples of this grape. It's slightly more expensive than many more straightforward Pinot Grigios, but we certainly think it's well worth the extra. It has honest flavours of ripe stone fruits, peach, pear and nectarine with lovely soft lemon as well. Dry, rounded and smooth with a good length and clean finish.
When to drink: Mouth-filling and effortlessly enjoyable, it's great just by itself bit also has the body to pair well with chicken and seafood dishes.

Poderi Parpinello 'Ala Blanca' Vermentino di Sardegna

In a nutshell: A full-flavoured yet crisp and refreshing, unoaked Vermentino from the Mediterranean island of Sardinia.
The lowdown: Vermentino is the most widely planted white grape variety on Sardinia and while it can be a bit 'everyday' this example from the Parpinello family is a bit of a different animal and quite multi-dimensional. Their vineyards are located on the gentle slopes between Alghero and Sassari in the northwest of the island and after harvest, the fruit is fermented and aged in stainless steel for three months which retains the true varietal characteristics. It's got elegant aromas of ripe tropical fruits, citrus zest and some subtle herbal touches. It's full-flavoured and nicely weighty on the palate with ripe stone fruit flavours that carry through with notes of bitter almonds on the finish.
When to drink: This is a marvellously easy wine to drink and is perfect as an aperitif or, of course, with seafood.

Ciu Ciu 'Merlettaie' Pecorino, Offida

In a nutshell: An organic, fresh, crisp and layered Italian white from the hills of the Marche region near the Adriatic coast.
The lowdown: Pecorino is the signature white grape of this part of the Marche region and not seen much outside it. This cuvée from Ciù Ciù is fermented and aged for six months on oak which gives it a bit of creamy vanilla character and silkiness on the palate. It has a complex mineral nose of citrus fruit, pears, herbs and almonds and a beautifully defined palate of taut citrus and pear fruit, interlaced with white pepper and a zesty long finish.
When to drink: A wine with real definition and class, it's a prime candidate to pair with seafood, risotto, or poached salmon.

Alasia Langhe Nebbiolo

In a nutshell: A satisfyingly complex, but perfectly approachable style of Piedmontese Nebbiolo.
The lowdown: Nebbiolo is famous as the grape variety that goes to make the long-lived Barolo wines of Piedmont but, in the right hands as here, it also makes very rewarding, earlier drinking wines. The grapes here are, after fermentation, matured for 12 months in a mix of French oak barrels and large Piedmontese oak vats. The outcome is a wine with an attractive pale brick red colour, typical of the variety, and sweetly aromatic aromas with hints of roses, tobacco and spices that certainly draw you in. Ripe cherry and berry fruits are upfront on the palate and it finishes with an earthy, savoury complexity with finely-grained tannins.
When to drink: A good example of Piedmont's premier red variety and great with rich meat stews, or meaty pasta dishes.

Donnafugata Sherazade

In a nutshell: A deliciously different soft and spicy Sicilian red.
The lowdown: For a wine that comes from sunbaked Sicily this Nero d'Avola is surprisingly light, but none the worse for that. It has distinct aromas of strawberries and blackberries with a hint of back pepper, a gorgeously soft texture and subtle spicy fruitiness.
When to drink: You could, in fact, think of this as an interesting alternative to Pinot Noir. A delightful stand-alone wine, but also good with poultry and charcuterie.

Adanti Arquata Montefalco Rosso

In a nutshell: A quite complex and intriguing Italian red from one of Umbria's historic cellars.
The lowdown: The Umbria region, from where this wine hails, is Tuscany's smaller, landlocked, neighbour and here, like its neighbour, Sangiovese is the base for many of the red wines. This Montefalco Rosso is a case in point being made from 70% Sangiovese, but it also has 15% Sagrantino which is indigenous to Umbria and which adds a touch of lightness to the blend. After fermentation, it's matured for 12 months in large oak barrels and the result is a powerful and complex wine with notes of blackberries, black cherry, chocolate, coffee, herbs and spices. The tannins are bold but well balanced and it makes for a well rounded and welcoming central Italian red.
When to drink: This is a classic Italian red to drink with food; think things like Lasagne, Sunday roasts and warming comfort foods in general.