deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Cantina di Montalcino Rosso di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.99, regularly $29.99.

Cantina di Montalcino was founded in 1970 – it is a beautiful property in Tuscany, surrounded by meadows, olive trees and the splendid vineyards of the Val di Cava, just outside the medieval town of Montalcino. It is the only cooperative winery in the Brunello area with 94 members contributing. Passion and know how lives here for over 40 years, with 60 hectares of Sangiovese vineyards producing both Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino.

Our feature this week is their Rosso di Montalcino DOC, way cheaper than the Brunello and ready to drink sooner. Fragrant berry fruits, tobacco and tea leaves float to your nose. Generous and supple on palate with subtle vanilla, sweet fruit and earthy undertones. Marvelous for pasta or charcuterie.

Cantina di Montalcino Rosso di Montalcino (Tuscany, Italy) – $22.99 , regularly $29.99

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the 2021 Villa Matilde Falanghina Avallone (Campania, Italy) – $24.99 , regularly $29.99.

Francesco Paolo Avallone founded the Villa Matilde estate in the early 1960s. Nowadays, his son and daughter, Salvatore “Tani” and Maria Ida Avallone, continue their father’s legacy. The estate’s location, boasting volcanic, mineral-rich soils facing the Mediterranean sun and sea, sheltered on three sides by the Massico mountain range. Its vicinity to the sea combined with this mountainous ring means ideal ventilation, cool nights and warm days, and maximum sun exposure, right up to late October, all ideal for making fine wine. Over the decades, the estate is a leader in carbon footprints – impressively they have achieved zero greenhouse gas emissions on all their properties.

Our feature this week is their lovely Falanghina Avallone, really showcasing the terroir – this has steely tropical and stone fruits, with subtle florals and herbs while the palate is intense yet fresh finishing with fine acidity and a volcanic minerality. This is a classy white!

2021 Villa Matilde Falanghina Avallone (Campania, Italy) – $24.99 , regularly $29.99

Read my travel blog to Villa Matilde from Sept 2018..

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Cantine Levorato Merlot (Veneto, Italy) – $15.49, regularly $19.49.

Cantine Levorato dates back to 1928 when Umberto Levorato, and then Gino and Giovanni, Umberto’s brother and son respectively, sold their wines in barrels or demijohns in the city of Venice. Today the tradition continues and has developed further with Carlo, Giovanni’s son, supported in the business by his sister Silvia and brother Marco. Together they profoundly changed the production and organizational structure of the winery, leading the family business to successfully establish itself on the foreign market with products made from precise taste for those who appreciate genuine flavors, but also honest and refined details.

Our feature this week is their Merlot with its ruby red hue, robust and full-bodied with enticing aromas of black cherry, fresh plums, youthful tannins, and moderate aromatics. A wonderful match for rustic spaghetti, pizza, or braised reds meats. Culinary suggestions include pasta, pizza, red and white meats, cheeses and game.

Levorato Merlot (Veneto, Italy) – $15.49, regularly $19.49

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Author: Dirk Chan

Its cold outside and that’s the perfect time to enjoy yourself some port. Whether its a formal tasting or a mere sipping drink around the fireplace after dinner, this is the time to enjoy this delectable Portuguese offering.

(pictured left to right):

NV Quinta do Portal Lagrima (Douro, Portugal) – $34.99