The Cellar: Berlucchi + Avignonesi

Friday, April 25, 2014

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalProv Wine Writer

Spring = Italy

Italy remains the world’s largest producer of wine. One of the things that continues to amaze me about Italian wine is not only the thousands different types and styles of wine produced, but that a lot of Italian wine remain great values. This week features two such wines.

NV Berlucchi, Franciacorta Brut, Franciacorta, Lombardy

This week’s first wine is an outstanding, traditionally made sparkling wine from Lombardy. I recently featured ‘Italy’s Champagne region’ - Franciacorta - and figured I would follow-up this week with another, more readily available, example. This Franciacorta is made by the #1 (in terms of volume) ‘Metodo Classico’ sparkling wine producer in Italy, the famed Guido Berlucchi Estate. Alongside Franco Ziliani, Guido Berlucchi is often credited for having been the first to understand the winegrowing potential of Franciacorta and the first to bottle a sparkling wine under the label ‘Franciacorta’ – that was in 1961. The $35 Berlucchi Franciacorta non-vintage Brut is a sparkling blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir matured for a minimum of 24 months. This wine features aromas of baked green apple and pears. On the palate the aromas are replicated with the addition of citrus. The bubbles are dense, yet smooth. Great wine!

2011 Avignonesi, Rosso di Montepulciano, Tuscany

This week’s second wine represents everything I love about a great Rosso Di Montepulciano, arguably one of Italy’s best ‘everyday’ red table wines; it is absolutely delicious, can be consumed by itself as well as with an array of food and finally, it is very reasonably priced (under $20). Montepulciano (the region, not to be confused with the grape of the same name) is one of Tuscany’s southernmost appellations with its vineyards surrounding the town of Montepulciano. Regulations of the appellation, amended in 1999, allow Rosso di Montepulciano to have less Sangiovese (70%) than the ‘Nobile’, and more Canaiolo, as well as other varieties such as Mammolo, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The best producers however insist on keeping Sangiovese front and center in their Rossos. Avignonesi’s Rosso is almost exclusively Sangiovese (96%). The wine is aged for 5 months in a mix of barriques and oak casks with an additional 3 months in bottle allowing the wine to come together. This is a bright and juicy example. Well structured and dry, this wine displays ripe red cherries, dark plum and herbal forest floor. It finishes bright with lingering acidity.

Enjoy!!

Steffen Rasch is a Certified Sommelier and Specialist of Wine. Feel free to email him at [email protected] with any wine-related question or learn about wine in person by signing up for one of his tastings through the Providence Wine Academy.

Related Slideshow: 10 New England Wine Getaways

Prev Next

Hardwick

Hardwick Vineyard & Winery

Central Mass’s own Hardwick Vineyard & Winery, open March-December, is a close to home treasure that produces 3,000 gallons of wine each year. The winery, which grows 6 varieties of grapes, is built on a quiet road in Hardwick that abuts the Quabbin Reservoir. Located on the property is a majestic 200 year old mansion. This weekend, take the trip to the vineyard to enjoy a wine tasting. Favorites include Massetts Cranberry and Yankee Girl Blush. If you head out on a Sunday; you’ll be in luck—the winery is hosting Sangria Sundays for the rest of the month.

3305 Greenwich Road, Hardwick, MA. (413) 967-7763.

Prev Next

Westport Rivers

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Tucked away on the southern coast of Massachusetts, Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery, located about an hour’s drive from Worcester, is worth the trip. For only $10, you can take home a special edition etched wine glass and enjoy a tasting of up to six of their award-winning wines. While the tasting room is open Monday-Saturday, free winery tours are also offered to the public every Saturday from 1-3pm.

417 Hixbridge Rd, Westport, MA. (508) 636-3423.

Prev Next

Coastal Vineyards

A relatively young addition to the Massachusetts family of wineries and vineyards, Coastal Vineyards in South Dartmouth opened its doors in 2004. Coastal Vineyards grows eight varieties of grapes on their property, including Riesling, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and more. For a special treat, head over on Sunday for their Ugly Sweater Wine Party featuring acoustic musician Ryan Thaxter. Don your ugliest sweater to get 35% off your purchase—and a chance at a prize.

61 Pardon Hill Road, South Dartmouth, MA.

Prev Next

Amherst Farm Winery

Head out to one of Massachusetts’s favorite college towns this weekend to check out Amherst Farm Winery. Enjoy a wine tasting set in a cozy 19th century post and beam dairy barn. For only $5 receive a logo glass and a taste of 5 of their 15 wines, including unique flavors like chocolate raspberry, pumpkin frost, cranberry, and more. Bring a picnic and cozy up on their leather sofa by the fire to enjoy your wine with a snack.

529 Belchertown Road, Amherst, MA. (413) 253-1400.

Prev Next

Nashoba Valley WInery

Take the bite off the winter chill this weekend and take a drive to Nashoba Valley Winery in Bolton. The winery hosts tasting events everyday from 10am-4:30pm For $5, receive a free tasting glass and samples of up to five different wines. Some favorites include Strawberry Rhubarb Wine, Holiday Special Cranberry Apple (a new release in November 2013), and New English Cider. If you are in the mood for something other than wine (if that’s possible), check out their beer selection as well!

100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton, MA. (978) 779-5521.

Prev Next

Mill River Winery

Mill River Winery, located in Rowley, is the perfect wine destination for a mini-getaway. Enjoy the gorgeous winter scenery of Western Massachusetts as you wind through country roads to the winery. Mill River’s tasting room is housed in a refurbished cider mill, complete with eclectic décor that provides for an excellent tasting and shopping experience. Try their delicious Naked Chardonnay, a full bodied chardonnay with aromatic notes of lemon zest and pear. If you would like to get a “Dirt to Bottle Tour,” make sure to be at the winery at 2pm or 4pm Saturday or Sunday.

498 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley, MA. (978) 432-1280.

Prev Next

Black Birch Vineyard

For only $6, get the full Black Birch Vineyard experience—tasting and a tour! Enjoy the great mix of contemporary and rustic décor of the tasting room and the local culture of this Massachusetts winery. While you’re in, be sure to try their award winning selection of reds and whites.

155 Glendale Road, Southampton, MA. (413) 527-0164.

Prev Next

Taylor Brook Winery

Located just over the border, Taylor Brook Winery in Woodstock, CT, is a hidden gem. This winery tends to over 2,000 vines of the finest grapes in the region. Head down to enjoy the country hospitality of this great local business, which offers tastings, bottles of their wine, and other great gift items for purchase. For a delicious winter wine, try their Winter Pomegranate.

848 Route 171, Woodstock, CT. (860) 974-1263.

Prev Next

Obadiah McIntyre Farm

Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery

The Obadiah McIntyre Farm Winery is located on the Charlton Orchards Farm property. The winery is owned and operated by a family that has been in the business of growing fruit for over 50 years, and began making wine in 1999. They are dedicated to making the best tasting wines around. Every weekend until the end of December, join them for a tasting and see for yourself.

44 Old Worcester Road, Charlton, MA. (508) 248-7941.

Prev Next

Puttney Mountain Winery

Just over the Vermont border, Putney Mountain Winery located inside Basketville, has been making delicious local wines since the 1990s. All of their wines are crafted from local produce, which makes for the best tasting wine possible. If you’re toting the kids along for the day, the winery also sells juices made from locally grown produce, like their Putney Bubbly Vermont Sparkling Black Currant.

8 Bellows Falls Road, Putney, VT. (802) 387-5925.