Southern Italian Wines - Tasting 9 7 10

The Southern Italian wine tasting had the cheapest average price of wines.  There was a lot to like, but we also got the sense that the wine industry in southern Italy is still developing.  Even though wine has been produced for millennia, the wines are underdeveloped, mostly due to poor land-management regulation and antiquated methods.  In another 10 years, if things continue as they are, this is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the wine industry.  

Florio Marsala Fine Dry ~ $11

Marsala, Sicily

Grillo

This classic fortified wine from Sicily was more of a favorite than I expected.  It had the quintessential candied fruit and citrus aromas.  The palate continued with caramel, candied fruit, and citrus peel over a creamy texture.  A great aperitif with salty dishes are a late night sipper.  

Umani Ronchi “Exclamation Point” 2008 ~ $14

Castelli di Jesi, le Marche

Verdicchio

This was definitely the least favorite white, and perhaps the least favorite wine of the tasting.  It was classic verdicchio - dry, almond with a lemon finish.  The nose had a bit of citrus, but was muted.  A bit on the heavier side.  

Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina 2008 ~ $18

Sannio, Campania

Falanghina

The favorite wine of the evening.  This had a lovely, floral-citrus nose.  The palate had notes of apple, pineapple and flowers, with a finish of citrus and minerals.  A delightful summer wine.  Great with seafood.  

La Valentina Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2007 ~ $15

Spoltore, Abruzzo

Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

This was not that well-received.  It was a rather restrained notes, with light red fruit aromas.  The palate was very dry and earthy with a tannic finish.  Hints of red-fruit also appeared.  The mouthfeel was soft and generous.  

Brotomagno Primitivo Rosso 2008 ~ $18

Manduria, Puglia

Primitivo

The favorite of the tasting.  This lovely dark wine definitely reminded me of zinfandel.  It had great aromas of black fruit with a hint of earth.  The palate opened with more black fruit, cream, vanilla and mint.  This is a soft, fruity wine, and if you're in the mood for it, it's a great deal. 

Morgante Nero D’Avola 2007 ~ $19

Grotte, Sicily

Nero D’Avola

I thought this was going to be more of a crowd-pleaser.  Overall, I think it was a bit too intense.  The nose had hints of black berries, spice and tobacco.  The palate had the chocolate notes I've come to associate with the varietal.  There was also a jammy dark fruit and tar edge.  

Terredora Di Paolo Aglianico 2008  ~ $20

Montefusco, Campania

Aglianico

This more elegant wine, had quite a bit of black-berry on the nose.  However, the fruit did not continue on to the palate. This is a medium-bodied wine, with a lot of tannic structure.  Hints of spice and earth were combined with a slight gamey character.

Liveli Passamante 2008 ~ $13

Salento, Puglia

Negroamaro

This wine was produced from eighty-year-old negroamaro vines.  The nose had hints of dark cherries and earth.  The palate was more fruit-forward, with a lighter mid note of spice and perhaps tar.  Not the tannic structure I expected from this varietal, which is supposed to be Puglia's age-worthy hope.  

Argiolas Costera 2007 ~ $18

Serdiana, Sardegna

90% Cannonau, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo

This wine was more elegant than I expected, and also more gamey.  The nose had black fruit and earth.  The palate had more fruit, as well as earthiness, mint, spices, and perhaps bacon fat.  Given grenache's exuberance in other climes, I was surprised by how lean this wine was.