deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the NV Ferrari Brut (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) – $27.99, regularly $34.99.

Ferrari winery (no relation to the Italian luxury auto manufacturer and Formula 1 racing team of the same name) is the leader in northern Italy’s Trento DOC area, a wine making region dedicated entirely to traditional-method sparkling wine. “For sure we do not want to create any confusion [between Ferrari wines and Ferrari cars], even though we are two companies, with the same name,” says Ferrari winery CEO Matteo Lunelli. “But it’s great to share a name with another company that also represents Italian excellence.”

Previously, they were spotted on the high seas with the Prada yachting team – but now the latest accolade is they’ve become the official sparkling wine of the Formula 1 international auto-racing league. The winery has entered a three-year partnership with Formula 1 to serve Ferrari wines as the official toast of all the organization’s celebrations -including those famous crowd-spraying celebrations from the winner’s podium -as well as free-flowing glasses of Ferrari served alongside gourmet cuisine in the paddocks, plus also in the luxury trackside viewing area above the team garages.

The 119-year-old company has been voted Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year at the Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships in 2015. Ferrari’s wines are “metodo classico” – meaning they’re made in the Champenois menthode, rather than in tank like prosecco. Vinified from grapes grown in Trentino, in the limestone foothills of the Dolomites, they have a crispness and tension to them. But they’re also renowned for their ageing potential. “The warm days and cold nights bring a brightness to our chardonnay that is very different to champagne,” says Ferrari president Matteo Lunelli. 

Enjoy this Non-Vintage Brut, it is very delicious and the high quality is obvious with the nose of Golden Delicious apples, lemon, freshly baked white bread while the palate offers a slight minerality, pastry while those tiny small bubbles dance across your palate. Enjoy as a toasting wine, with appetizers and even at the dinner table.

NV Ferrari Brut (Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy) – $27.99 (regularly $34.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2016 Cune Viña Real Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $20.49, regularly $24.99.

Viña Real is CVNE’s Rioja Alavesa-based winery, releasing its first vintage in 1920. The Viña Real style is one that showcases the forward fruit of Alavesa while simultaneously possessing the structure to age. The original fruit source was in the Elciego area, in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa region. The vineyards are located adjacent and clustered around the old Camino Rea (“Royal Road”), from which the wine takes its name.

Nowadays, the grapes are principally sourced from sunny south-facing slopes which run from the Sierra de Cantabria mountain range down to the Ebro River. As is also the case with the Cune line, the Viña Real wines are produced from over 50% estate fruit, an unusually high percentage for Rioja.

A new facility for Viña Real was completed in 2004 – it is situated on top of the hill known as Cerro de la Mesa and commands sweeping views of both the Alavesa vineyards and the town of Logroño (where we stayed during our last trip there), Rioja’s commercial center. If the Cune bodega represents CVNE’s commitment to the old and the traditional, the Viña Real bodega demonstrates their forward-thinking philosophy and their embrace of modern technology.

This week’s Crianza is a modern style Rioja, it is medium-full bodied red sourced from sunny, south-facing slopes in Rioja Alavesa. Look for aromas of cherries, raspberries, vanilla and mineral hints. Its medium bodied solid juicy blue and red fruits has a clovey edge finishing with zingy acidity. I recommend a half hour decant and pair with a well-spiced chickpea stew.

2016 Cune Viña Real Crianza (Rioja, Spain) – $20.49 (regularly $24.99)

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Author: Dirk Chan

The Tuscan castle and vineyard of Castello di Potentino is owned by British immigrants Charlotte Horton and her family. Nestled in the rugged terrain of Mount Amiata, it was a dilapidated mess with roofs collapsed and no plumbing or electricity. Following the long process of purchasing it from 24 different owners, they have slowly reworked this 11th-century structure into one of the great cultural spots of the Tuscan region.

Rumoured to have been visited by Saint Catherine of Siena and painter Caravaggio, this traditional, medieval castle in Tuscany boasts a distinctly British flair. A year-round bed and breakfast, the Castello hosts weddings along with yoga retreats, wine tastings, and exotic gourmandise weekends.

The tradition of winemaking here dates back to the Etruscan period, evidenced by the ancient wine stones in the valley. The microclimate of the area, combined with the four hectares of vineyards, combines the hot dry air of the Tuscan coast with the cold air coming down from Mt Amiata. The volcanic soil, never washed away at Potentino, creates a terroir that is rich in minerality and gives it a sense of terroir. Horton, who is the winemaker, grows grenache, sangiovese, and, very unusually, pinot noir grapes. Her Sacromonte, a textbook sangiovese, has won the Vino d’ecellenza from the Guida de l’Espresso, identifying it as one of the 500 best wines from Italy. Sacromonte or “Sacred Mountain” refers to Monte Amiata which was the home of the gods for the Etruscans and our flagship wine is named in honour of the volcanic peperino stone typical to the mountain and used in the construction of the Castle itself. It sees only 6 months ageing in stainless steel to produce a fresher more exuberant young wine. Hence the ‘ino’ ending which is the diminutive in Italian which means smaller or little version. It comes in a 1 Litre bottle with a crown seal. Delicious and the tannins are so smooth for such a young wine!!

The Winemaker’s Release is Sangiovese from the great 2010 vintage, held back till ready to drink. It is sophisticated and nuanced, and a must try. There are not many library releases for this price that is at peak in our market. Take advantage of it while supply lasts.

First, pictured left to right:

2020 Castello di Potentino Sacromontino Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) – 1.0L – $27.99