Friday Sips

TRE BICCHIERI AWARD – GAMBERO ROSSO

Not only a Barolo maestro, Vietti’s Luca Currado is one of the finest Barbara tacticians in all of Piedmont. Two single Cru wines are produced at Vietti, one in the Alba zone and one in the Asti zone. Scarrone, in Alba is all about finesse and richness whereas this wine, La Crena in Asti is about power, structure and richness.

Planted in 1932 and 1936, the La Crena is made from some of the oldest Barbera vines in Piedmont, and the final product has been nothing less than spectacular since day one when Vietti purchased the land in the early 90s. Profound Barbera, this wine is about sheer decadence! Deep, alluring and robust that shows typical Asti traits, but also shows the sheer intensity of the fruit from these old vines. Layered, rich, hedonistic and symphonic, the La Crena runs the gamut of complexity from blackberry fruit and chocolate dust to coffee and allspice tones. The finish is super-long and super-mouth-coating and threatens to break just about any stopwatch. This wine is ultra-sexy now and will continue to develop and drink well through 2021. One of two Vietti wines to receive the Tre Bicchieri award for 2013 and one of only about 300 handed out!

With all of our attention focusing on the growers of Champagne and our avoidance of houses like Moet who are busy sweetening up their Champagnes to compete with Prosecco here in the US, we often forget how much goodness that some of the grandes maisons can and do deliver.

Champagne Roederer makes a wide range of cuvees in all price ranges and is one of the historic houses of the region with history goes back to 1765. It is a large land holder in the area, and is able to produce around 80% of its grape requirements. The current cuvee of Louis Roederer's multi-vintage, Brut Premier, is a perennial winner and, as usual, is on world-beating form! This year's release is as seductively rich as it has ever been with sophisticated, pear-ginger-vanilla tinged fruit that is well into its creamy, full stage and just beginning to pick up its alluring biscuit quality along with impeccable brisk nervosity. An undeniable steal at this price, this is one that will surely please any Champagne lover. Get it on this deal now. Better yet, come in and have a taste today, June 28, 2013.

Reuilly is very much an unknown name when it comes to pink wines. Located about an hour west of Sancerre, it is one of the real sleeper regions of the Loire Valley. More known for its 100% Sauvignon Blanc white wines, most don't know that there is a small amount of Rose that comes from the region. It is also one of the world's most intriguing Rose wines due to it being made with 100% Pinot Gris.

Pinot Gris is normally thought of as white, but in actuality, it is a grey, slightly pink grape. When left on its skins the resulting wine comes out rather pink AND is nothing like any Oregon Pinot Gris or Italian Grigio that initially comes to mind when you think of the varietal. 100% terroir-driven and soil-laden, seashell, lanolin, solid perfume, floral and strawberry tones shine on the nose and the wine's texture is rather substantial and layered, but with no shortage of briskness and brace. This is very stereotype-breaking stuff! Drawn-out, linear, very salinous and with a slight hint of spice, pair it with Ceviche, asparagus or salmon.