The Cellar: New Year’s Eve Italian Style

Monday, December 29, 2014

Steffen Rasch, GoLocalWorcester Wine Writer

New Year’s Eve is this week and if you’re looking for recommendations for what to pour look no further than Italy. This week I will be featuring a versatile and very food-friendly red wine, as well as a festive sparkling wine that is both delicious and inexpensive.

Pour Away

While Champagne definitely has it place on New Year’s Eve few of us can afford to pour it all night long. For that you will need a delicious alternative that offers great satisfaction as well as value. My ‘all night pour’ this year is going to be Valdo’s festive ‘Marca Oro’ Brut Rose. Priced somewhere between $10 and $15 per bottle this Spumante is absolutely worth every penny. While technically not a Prosecco (the laws do not yet allow for the production of Prosecco Rose), this is arguably as close as you can come as the wine is made the same way and from (partially) the same grapes that Prosecco is made from. The base blend of this Rose is Glera, with the dark skinned grape variety Nerello Mascalese added for color. After a soft pressing the juices are co-fermented. It then goes into stainless steel tanks where it undergoes a second fermentation (Charmat Style) for 3 months. The result is a light, crisp and delicious sparkling wine that hard to resist. Deliciously frothy with sweet raspberries, strawberries and splash of lemon juice on the refreshing finish.

A serious food-friendly Red.

Whether you are passing around sliders, doing a family style pot roast or going upscale with filet mignon you can rest assured that Italy also has the red wine you need. One of my go-to regions for food-friendly Italian wines is Tuscany where the high acidity and spicy berries commonly found in the Sangiovese based wines of Chianti makes for great food partners. But since this is a special holiday I think it is appropriate to step things up a notch and splurge on a special bottle of Chianti. This week’s featured example is Nipozzano’s $30ish 2011 ‘Vecchie Viti’ Riserva Chianti Rufina. Rufina is the smallest of the seven sub-zones of Chianti proper, as well as the youngest. Interestingly, Rufina was originally a part of the ‘Chianti Classico’ region until 1996 when it was awarded its own DOCG status.

All Chinati wines must be made from at least 70% Sangiovese. The native grape varieties Canaiolo, Colorino, Trebbiano and Malvasia are also allowed, as are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. While basic Chianti only has to age for four months Chiantis labeled ‘Riserva’ must undergo 24 months of aging before it can be released. Frescobaldi’s 2011 Veccie Viti is a blend of 90% low yielding, hand harvested, old-vine Sangiovese with 10% Malvasia, Colorino and Canaiolo. All of the grapes are sourced from Castillo di Nipozzano 50 acre Estate vineyard and the wine was aged for 24 months in oak casks and 2 months in bottle. The result is an absolutely delicious wine. After having been aerated for an hour the full-bodied wine really starts to open up displaying rich and ripe red fruits, roses, cloves and hints of bitter chocolate and sweet vanilla. Just gorgeous.

Cheers,

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.