Presented by Alex Strauss of Skyland Distributing
Soprasole Vermentino
Pala Estate was founded in Sardinia, Italy, in 1950 with the first harvest by Salvatore Pala. The tradition continues today under the ownership of Lia Tolaini and her family. The Pala team; Severino Concu, Amalia Dessì, Alessandro Pedini and Giandomenico Zedde, share the vision of producing the highest quality, most authentic wines possible that reflect the terroir of Serdiana.
Appellation: Sardegna, Italy
Grapes: 100% Vermentino, ABV 12%.
Tasting notes: Bright straw yellow color with greenish reflections. Persistent floral aromas with a touch of herbaceous notes and a hint of lime. On the palate, herbs are predominant with notes of white flowers and citrus.
Pairing: Seafood dishes in general, delicate fish seasoned with a light sauce, dry and liquid soups which are not too savory.
Producer: Pala
Ali Rosato ~ 2023
Made from 100% Sangiovese, grapes are harvested at the end of August. The bunches are carefully selected in the vineyards and then by an optical sorter as soon as they arrive at the cellar. The berries are crushed and the juice is left in contact with the skins for 2 hours. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks. The name Ali means “wings” in Italian and it is also the name of the winery owner Lia Tolaini-Banville’s “little angel”: her daughter. The artwork from the label is a detail of Cupid from the original artwork for the Bramosia Chianti Classico label by Rik Olsen.
Appellation: Chianti, Italy
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese – ABV 12.5%
Tasting Notes: Donna Laura Ali Rosato is a pure Sangiovese showing a light pink color. The nose displays hints of strawberry, red cherry and pink grapefruit. The palate is fresh and has a pleasant and longlasting finish.
Producer: Donna Laura [2023: 91 pts. Vinous]
Demarie Langhe Nebbiolo ~ 2024
The Demarie family grows all their own grapes and they do it organically. Three generations have now tended the steep hills of the Roero region just north of the city of Alba. The Nebbiolo grape from the different terroirs in the area vary greatly and are showcased at every level from the Demarie winery. This is Nebbiolo 101! The Langhe Nebbiolo is the young vines from the Demarie estate all grown within the Roero but carrying the larger area designation of the Langhe. The Langhe Nebbiolo comes from the young vines within the Roero from the Demarie estate. 10 to 20 years of age.
Appellation: Roero, Langhe DOC, Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo – ABV 14%
Tasting notes: This is a fun and youthful expression of the most noble and powerful grape of the piedmont region. The flavors lead with dark berry fruits, hints of earth, chocolate, and flowers. The wine is unoaked, leaving the fruit to take center stage, a medium bodied wine with a short but vibrant finish.
Pairings: This is great with chicken and pork dishes, cream based pastas, casseroles, or meat pies. Try with younger, creamier style cheeses. The acidity really cuts through the fat.
Producer: Demarie
Copertino Riserva DOC ~ 2016
Copertino is from the vines around the tiny village of Copertino, just north of Salice Salentino in Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot. Thirty-six growers founded the co-op in 1935 and they’ve adopted an unusual strategy for this, their top wine. It’s mainly Negromaro, Puglia’s best red grape, with a touch of Malvasia Negre for perfume. In the best vintages, the best lots of young wine are set aside for aging in large oak casks for two years then blended, placed in underground concrete tanks, and left to rest until the winemaking team decides it’s ready to drink..
Appellation: Puglia, Italy
Grapes: 100% Negroamaro – ABV 13%
Tasting notes: Ruby red with garnet hints. Intense, full, rich and ethereal aromas of blackberry, plum, Mediterranean vegetation, ripe fruit, and leather. Warm, rich and generous, with complex tones and flavors of almond and blackcurrant. Perfect for pizza, burgers, red sauce and meat pasta.
Producer: Cantina Sociale Cooperativa
