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Marcarini Winery

April 13, 2020 – 11:25 am

At the 2020 Barolo Brunello Barbaresco wine tasting hosted by Empson USA in Washington D.C., wines from the Marcarini winery were presented. The winery is located in La Morra in the Cuneo province of Italy. The winery has a long history and dates back to the 1850s. Marcarini winery was one of Italy’s first wineries to label wines as single vineyard designate.

In 2020, the winery is owned by Manuel Marchetti and his family. Manuel’s daughter, Elisa, is the winemaker and Andrea, a son, oversees the estate winery and vineyards. Marcarini has 20 hectares (49 acres) of vineyards. Grape varieties growing in the estate vineyards include: 

Marcarini Barolo

Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato Bianco. The wines produced by Marcarini are estate grown and bottled. 

Marcarini encourages agritourism by offering an onsite farmhouse available for booking. While we have not visited Marcarini, the farmhouse online images provide a glimpse of what guests can expect to enjoy.

I tasted three wines from Marcarini. The Barolo “La Serra” DOCG 2016 was produced with 100% Nebbiolo. The wine was made with the use of stainless steel and concrete tanks. It was macerated on the skins for three to four weeks. Slavonian oak ages the wine for 24 months, followed by aging in the bottle for six months. This wine is very “approachable.” The color was a rusty red and the aroma was light. This dry wine offered smooth tannins with floral notes, cherry/plum and spice.

Marcarini Dolcetto D’Alba “Fontanazza”

The Dolcetto D’Alba “Fontanazza” DOC 2018 was produced with 100% Dolcetto. The single vineyard wine was from grapes from 17 to 36-year-old grapevines. This Dolcetto wine was produced in stainless steel and concrete tanks.  The wine was aged in stainless steel. The wine offered  mild tannins and notes of black fruit and earthiness.

Barolo “Brunate” DOCG 2015 was produced with 100% Nebbiolo grapes from a single vineyard. The grapevines range in age from 32 to 41-years-old. Winemaking protocol includes the use of stainless steel and concrete tanks. The  14% alcohol wine was aged in oak casks for two years. The result was a wine that had a burnt orange color. The mouthfeel was velvety smooth. The taste included notes of spice, earthiness and black cherry.

The Nebbiolo Delle Langhe “Lasarin” DOC 2018, a 100% Nebbiolo wine, was from two Marcarini vineyards. The grapevines are 19-years-old. This wine was also produced with stainless steel and concrete tanks. This wine had more of a fresh fruit taste with medium tannins.

Marcarini wines are exported to several regions of the world including: Hong Kong, Japan, UK, Canada, USA, and China.

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Azienda Agricola Conterno Fantino Is My Best in Show at Washington DC Tasting

April 10, 2020 – 9:01 am

In early March Kathy and I attended a tasting in Washington DC by Empson USA. Empson USA is a distributor for their portfolio of Italian wine in the United States. I tasted several Borolos from several producers. My favorite producer was Azienda Agricola Conterno Fantino. This winery was founded in 1982 by Claudio Conterno and Guido Fantino. The two friends are interested in conserving energy at the winery and in creating environmental sustainability. The property has 26 hectares (64 acres) under vine. The winery is located in the Monforte d’Alba area of the province of Cuneo.

Wines

The first wine tasted was the Barbera D’Alba Vignota DOC 2017/2018. The wine was made with 100% Barbera from a limestone and marl vineyard in the village of Monforte d’Alba. The organically grown grapes were hand harvested in early autumn. Fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged in French oak barrels. The wine had a translucent dark ruby color with a red hue. Red fruits were on the aroma and the taste included cherries, black raspberries and leather. The wine was medium bodied and had medium/bold tannins. The finish included fruit and leather.

The next three wines were all examples of Barolos. All were made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes. The 2016 Barolo Castelletto “Vigna Pressenda” DOCG was made with grapes growing in a sandy, silty and clay vineyard from the Castelletto Cru in Monforte d’Alba. The grapes were hand harvested in mid-October after careful selection while on the vine. Fermentation and maceration took place in stainless steel, the wine was aged in French oak. The wine was made from organically grown grapes. The wine had a translucent garnet color with a red hue. Perfume and cherries were noted on the aroma as well as the taste. The wine was full bodied with bold tannins. Fruit and leather notes were on the finish.

My “best in show” wine was the 2016 Barolo Mosconi “Vigna Ped” DOCG. The Nebbiolo grapes were hand harvested from the Mosconi Cru in the village Monforte d’Alba. The organically grown grapes were fermented and macerated in stainless steel tanks and then aged in French oak. The wine had a translucent garnet color. Perfume and cherries were on the aroma and taste. The wine was full bodied with kissing tannins ( tannins that cause the mouth to pucker as if you were going to give someone a kiss). The finish was fruity with a delicate oak influence. I enjoy tannins in a wine and for me, the more tannic the better.

The 2016 Barolo Ginestra “Vigna del Gris” DOCG was made with grapes from the del Gris vineyard in the Ginestra Cru of the village Monforte d’Alba. As with the other Borolos tasted, the organically grown grapes were hand harvested and fermented and macerated in stainless steel. The wine was then aged in French oak. The wine had a translucent garnet color. Perfume and cherries were noted on the aroma. Cherries and leather were on the taste. The wine was full bodied and had bold tannins. The finish was fruity with an oak influence.

I was happy to have an introduction to the wines from Azienda Agricola Conterno Fantino and look forward to their availability in Maryland.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine Notes | Comments (0)

Cascina Bongiovanni Brings a Barolo and a Dolcetto to Washington DC Tasting

April 9, 2020 – 7:28 am

Empson USA brought wines from several Italian wine regions to Washington DC for a tasting during early March. The event was titled Barolo, Brunello and Barbaresco 2020. Empson USA distributes wines from wineries in Italy to the United States.

One of the producers present offered three wines for tasting including two Barolos and a Dolcetto. Cascina Bongiovanni dates back to 1950 when Giovanni Bongiovanni purchased land and planted a Nebbiolo vineyard.  Today the vineyard includes 7 hectares (17.3 acres) of grapes. The current owner and winemaker is Davide Mozzone, a grand nephew of Giovanni Bongiovanni. The winery is located in Castiglione Falletto.

Wines

The 2016 Barolo DOCG was crafted with 100% Nebbiolo grapes from 30-year old vines. The grapes were harvested in mid-October and fermented in stainless steel. The wine spent 24 months in French oak barrels and then additional time in bottles prior to its release. The Borolo had a translucent garnet color with floral notes and red berry fruits on the aroma. The taste was reminiscent of violets, roses, cherries and baking spices. The wine had a silky mouthfeel, and was full bodied with bold tannins. There was a nice blend of fruit, flowers and spices on the finish.

The 2016 Borolo Pernanno DOCG was made with Nebbiolo grapes from the estate’s finest vineyard in Castiglione Falletto. The grapes were harvested later than neighboring Nebbiolo grapes. After fermentation the wine aged in French oak barrels for 24 months with additional aging in bottles. The wine had a translucent dark garnet color. The aroma was floral, fruity and spicy. The taste included roses, cherries, raspberries and baking spices. The wine had a velvety mouthfeel, and was full bodied with bold tannins. The finish was fruity, floral and spicy.

The 2018 Dolcetto D’Alba DOC offered a break from all the Borolo wines at the tasting. The wine was made with 100% Dolcetto grapes from vineyards in Roddino and Castiglione Falletto. The wine was fermented and aged in stainless steel. It had a translucent red color with a dark pink hue. Black berry fruits were on the aroma. The taste reminded me of blackberries, violets and some baking spices. The wine was full bodied with bold tannins. The finish was fruity and spicy.

The Dolcetto is an anytime wine that would pair well with most meats and seafood. The Borolos were bold red wines and would pair well with beef cuts.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine Notes | Comments (0)

More Wines from Italy’s Piedmont Region

April 8, 2020 – 8:46 am

We tasted some wines from Italy at a wine tasting earlier this year in Washington, DC. The  Barolo Brunello Barbaresco 2020 Italian wine tasting was presented by Empson (U.S.A.), Inc.

Grignolino Del Monferrato “Bricco Mondalino” DOC 2018

Gaudio Bricco Mondalino, a Piedmont Winery

In the early 1970s, Amilcare Gaudio, an oenologist, knew he wanted to start his own winery. In 1973 Amilcare started Gaudio Bricco Mondalino. The winery is located in the Vignale Monferrato municipality which is in the province of Alessandria.

The Gaudio family was already experienced in winemaking, as the family had been involved in winemaking for three centuries. The family had begun winemaking in the late 1700s. The winery was named for the highest point in Mondalino hill. Today the winery continues to be family owned and operated. Mauro, Amilcare’s son, operates the winery and is the winemaker. The winery currently produces 100,000 bottles.

Gaudio Bricco Mondalino has 44.5 acres of vineyards located on white calcareous soil.  The focus of the winery is on native varieties. The seas must once have covered the area as the soil is filled with marine deposits and fossilized seashells.

I tasted  two wines produced by Gaudio Bricco Mondalino. The Grignolino Del Monferrato “Bricco Mondalino” DOC 2018. This wine was produced with 100% Grignolino, a native grape variety.  The wine was produced in stainless steel and macerated for two weeks. The wine was aged in stainless steel for eight months. The wine with 13.5% alcohol was a translucent orange red color. The aroma included notes of earthiness. The mouthfeel was velvety smooth. The wine offered notes of cherries and raspberries. The back label noted that this wine is “ideal with a wide range of good from antipasti to second courses, even fish.” 

A “yummy’ refreshing effervescent wine from Gaudio Bricco Mondalino

The Malvasia di Casorzo “Dolce Stil Novo” DOC 2018 was in one word, “yummy.” This refreshing wine was produced with 100% Malvasia Rossa. This 7% alcohol wine was aromatic with fruit and very effervescent. The taste was fruity and included notes of red berry fruits and cherries. I would suggest this wine as a delightfully relaxing wine to be enjoyed as a 4P wine – perfect for the patio, porch, pool or picnic.

Wine tastings at the Gaudio Bricco Mondalino are available daily. Do check ahead before arriving at the winery.

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

Ca’ Rome’ Wine Tasting Included Barbaresco and Barolo Side-by-side

April 7, 2020 – 7:53 am

Barbaresco and Barolo are two wines from the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. Both wines are crafted with Nebbiolo grapes. Barbaresco wines are crafted with Nebbiolo grapes from the towns of Barbaresco, Treiso, and Neive.  Barbaresco must age for 24 months with 12 months in oak. Barbaresco Reserva has four years of aging. The minimum alcohol for a Barbaresco is 12.0%. All Barolo wines must be crafted with 100% Nebbiolo grapes from one of the eleven areas that may produce a wine labeled as Barolo. The vineyards used to produce these Nebbiolo grapes can not exceed 3,300 vines per acre. Wines have requirements for aging. For Borolo, the wines must age at least 36 months including 18 months in wood. Barolo Riserva must age for 60 months with 18 months in wood. The minimum alcohol for a Barolo wine is 12.5%.

Ca’ Rome’ was founded in 1980 by Romano Marengo. Today the winery has 6.9 hectares (17 acres) of vineyards; three vineyards are located in Barbaresco while three vineyards are located in Barolo. The winery is located in the Barbaresco area. 

During the Washington DC tasting, I sampled two Barbarescos and two Barolos. The 2017 Barbaresco Chiaramanti DOCG was made with Nebbiolo grapes from a single vineyard planted in 1978. The soil in the vineyard is calcareous clay. The wine was temperature controlled fermented for 21 days. The wine spent 12 to 15 months in French oak barrels followed by 25 hl oak barrels for a total aging time of 24 months. It was then racked to a stainless steel tank for three months and spent an additional 10 months in bottle. The wine had a translucent red color with a dark pink hue. The aroma offered perfume notes with red berry fruits. The taste was reminiscent of red raspberries and baking spices. The wine had a silky mouthfeel, medium to full body and bold tannins. It had a fruity and spicy finish.

The 2017 Barbaresco Söri Rio Sordo DOCG was made from a single vineyard in Barbaresco. The vineyard’s soil is composed of clay, silt and sand. The wine fermentation lasted for three weeks, then it was aged in wood for 24 months. The wine had a translucent red color with a dark pink hue. The aroma was floral with red berry fruits. The taste was reminiscent of violets, roses, red raspberries and baking spices. The wine had a velvety mouthfeel with medium/full body and medium/bold tannins. The finish was fruity and spicy.

The 2016 Borolo Rapet Gold Label DOCG was crafted with Nebbiolo grapes from the Serralunga cru vineyard planted in 1972. The fermentation lasted three weeks. The wine was aged for 12 months in barriques followed by 12 months in Slavonian oak. Finally the wine spent 12 months in bottle. The wine had a translucent garnet color. Flowers and fruit were noted on the aroma. Violets, cherries and baking spices were noted on the taste. The wine had a velvety mouthfeel. It was full bodied with bold tannins. The finish was fruity and spicy.

The 2016 Barolo Cerretta DOCG was crafted with grapes from a single vineyard in the Serralunga cru. Like the other wines, the fermentation lasted for three weeks. This wine then spent twelve months in barriques followed by another twelve months in Slavonian oak. It then spent time in bottles. The wine had a translucent garnet color with flowers, red fruits and spices on the aroma. The taste included baking spices and red cherries. The wine had a velvety mouthfeel and was full bodied and had bold tannins. The finish was fruity and spicy.

The Ca’ Rome’ tasting offered a compare and contrast of the Barbaresco and Barolo from the same producer. I would pair the Barbaresco with a light lunch, while the Barolo would be excellent with a dinner.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine Notes | Comments (0)

Empson USA Introduces Italian Wines to the American Market

March 9, 2020 – 10:23 am

Empson USA is a family owned business that searches Italy for wines that will entice the American palate. Neil and Maria Empson began the company in 1971 after visiting many Italian producers. Today, their daughter Tara continues to lead the company looking for excellent Italian wines that we may enjoy. Last week we met Tara in Washington DC during Empson’s Barolo Brunello Barbaresco Tour in Washington DC.

Tara with her family’s Cignale wine

There are some similarities between the Empsons and Kathy and me. We decided over a decade ago that if we were going to write about wine, we should be making wine at wineries as well as at home. Neil and Maria had a similar thought. If they were going to export Italian wines to the United States, they should own a vineyard and make wine in Italy. Cignale was started by the Empsons in 1981; they decided that they wanted to craft their own Super Tuscan. I had the opportunity to taste this wine and hear Tara talk about the wild boars that plague Italian vineyards in Toscana. 

Tara explained that the wine bottle label shows a sketched drawing of a wild boar. Her mother drew the boar. The Empson’s first harvest was in 1983 and the entire harvest was wiped out by wild boars. When Kathy and I visited Italy in the autumn of 2007 we learned about wild boars. I also enjoyed eating boar especially paired with wines made from Sangiovese. At the time boar was readily available on restaurant menus and at the Coop grocery store. The word “cignale” means boar. It seems fitting that an image of a boar is on their wine’s label.

Cignale has 3.5 hectares (7.5 acres) of vineyards. The vineyards are located in Greve in Chianti in the Florence Province. Vines are planted on a hillside at an elevation between 1320 feet to 1740 feet. The vineyard soil is composed of schist.

I tasted the Cignale Colle Della Toscana Centrale IGT. The blend was mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with a splash of Merlot. The wine had extended maceration on the skins for three weeks. The wine aged in oak barrels for a minimum of 20 months then had six months of additional aging in bottles. The wine had a translucent ruby color. The aroma reminded me of a black fruit salad. The taste offered cassis, blackberries and leather. The medium/full bodied wine had medium/bold tannins. The finish was a nice blend of fruit and oak influences.

Empson USA has many clients. It is unique that the family has their own vineyard and is producing a wine.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine Notes | Comments (0)

Gunpowder Wine Trail Celebrates with Special Wine Tastings

February 25, 2020 – 4:55 pm
Mount Felix Vineyard & Winery to celebrate Maryland Wine Month

In celebration of Maryland Wine Month, one of Maryland’s newest wine trails, Gunpowder Wine Trail, is celebrating with the Wine Lovers Tasting Experience Ticket. This Experience will continue throughout March.

Gunpowder Wine Trail has four participating wineries including: Fiore Winery & Distillery, Harford Vineyard, Mount Felix Winery and Royal Rabbit Vineyard.

Wine lovers can choose between a basic ticket or a VIP ticket. Tickets are available online.

Royal Rabbit is on the Gunpowder Wine Trail

Basic Tasting Experience

  • Tasting for 2 at each Gunpowder Wine Trial winery
  • Wine tasting includes six wines
  • When purchasing three bottles of wine or more, you will receive 10% off.

VIP Tasting Experience

  • Wine tasting for 2 at all four wineries
  • Includes your choice of 6 wines
  • Purchases of two or more bottle of wines will receive 15% off
  • Receive two Amplifier Vintner’s Crystal Tasting Glasses
  • In addition each of the four wineries plan to include a special experience for those with VIP tickets.

  -Fiore Winery & Distillery will provide a specialty mixed drink sample that will feature their house sangria or one made from Fiore handcrafted distilled spirits.
-Harford Vineyard will offer a sample of their Limoncello paired with chocolate.
-Royal Rabbit Vineyard wants you to enjoy a sample of locally made Amish cheeses paired with wine.

A Photo Raffle is also taking place  at the Gunpowder Wine Trail wineries. Win a prize by posting your photos of your visit at the wineries on social media. Prize: Gift Basket (The gift basket will be filled by the wineries on the trail.)

Wine Trail Traveler visited all four of the wineries on the Gunpowder Wine Trail. For reviews and photos visit the Wine Trail Traveler review section.

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary, Winery Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

March is Maryland Wine Month

February 21, 2020 – 4:06 pm
Maryland Wine logo

March 1st is the start of Maryland’s Wine Month. The first Maryland Wine Month was in 2011. Over the years the wine industry in Maryland has grown prolifically. 

Just look at some the most recent facts about the Maryland’s wine growth, according to the Maryland Wineries Association:

  • 100+ wineries are now in Maryland
  • 1,000 acres of grapes
  • Wines include traditional wines, fruit wines and meads
  • In 2019 Maryland Wineries produced 201,000 cases of wine

Maryland Wineries also helps the economy and has added employment opportunities. According to the Maryland Winery Association, the wine industry has added 2,000 jobs.

Several Maryland Wineries have already planned for specials during March. For example Layton’s Chance Winery will offer (all month) a special tasting flight of Vidal wines. These flights are a reasonable $6 and includes the souvenir glass. At Blue Mountain Wine Crafters a special pairing (all month) will involve pairing Girl Scout Cookies with wine. 

On March 1, Dove Valley Winery will  host  a Mardi Gras After Party. Dove Valley Winery offers many other special events and activities during March. Also on Sundays during March, Robin Hill Farm & Vineyards in Brandywine,  will offer a session that includes a private tour of the production area, a discussion and a tasting in the cellar.

March 21 is the day that Hidden Hills Farm and Vineyard will have the Grand Opening of their tasting room.

Check the calendar on the Maryland Wineries Association website to discover more winery events.

How to Support Maryland Wine Month

During March show your appreciation of the wineries in Maryland visiting some of the participating wineries. Another way to support the Maryland wine industry includes asking for a Maryland wine when dining out or when shopping at your local wine shop.

Wine Trail Traveler has visited and enjoyed many of the Maryland wineries. For winery reviews and photos visit the Wine Trail Traveler review section.

Cheers!
Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine Notes, Winery Events | Tagged , , , , | Comments (0)

Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER Wines

February 19, 2020 – 8:17 am

The Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER winery is located in the Alsace region of France. In January I met Gilles Schoepfer who with his brother are owners of Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER, at the APVSA wine tasting in Washington. 

Wine enthusiasts enjoy tasting wines at APVSA.

The winery/vineyards started in 1656 and has been handed down from father to son. Today they are producing 50,000 bottles of wine. The winery has 10 hectares of vineyards and Gilles noted that they do everything themselves. The winery has a traditional cellar and a modern cellar. The traditional cellar houses old oak casks whereas the modern cellar, which holds much more, includes stainless steel tanks.

They are located in the Alsace vineyards region in the wine village of Wettolsheim.

Today the winery and vineyards are operated by Jean-Louis Schoepfer’s sons, Christophe and Gilles. The brothers have divided their hard work with Christophe busy with winemaking and administration. Gilles concentrates on viticulture and marketing.

Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER produces numerous wines including: Sylvaner, Edelzwicker, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Muscat, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Pinot Noir. They also produce a lovely Crémant d’Alsace.

I tasted two wines produced by Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER. The Crémant d’Alsace NV White Brut, with 12.7% alcohol, was produced with Pinot Blanc using 2nd fermentation. When the Crémant was first poured there was a large amount of bubbles forming a beautiful, fluffy mousse. The aroma included notes of white fruit. The taste was dry with a hint of sweetness. The finish was long. Consider serving this luscious wine as an aperitif.

The Muscat with 12.6% alcohol was delightful with an aroma of flowers. The taste offered a hint of orange, honeysuckle and flowers. The finish was dry. The winery suggests using this wine as an aperitif or pairing with strong cheeses and asparagus.

Visitors to Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER can taste the wines, visit the wine cellars as well as purchase wines. The winery is open Mondays to Saturdays during the mornings and afternoons. 

Location: 35 rue Herzog 68920 Wettolsheim

If you have the opportunity, be sure to try wines from Jean-Louis SCHOEPFER.

Cheers! Kathy

By Kathy | Posted in Wine News/Commentary | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Two Champagne Houses at the APVSA Tasting in Washington DC

February 10, 2020 – 10:17 am

Last month I tasted wines from two champagne houses at the APVSA – Association pour la Promotion des Vins et Spiritueux en Amérique du Nord (the Association for the Promotion of Wine and Spirits in North America) wine tasting event in Washington DC. 

Champagne Vrain?Augé had one champagne for tasting, their “Tradition.” This champagne was crafted with 100% Pinot Meunier grapes. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a central and circumferential mousse on the wine’s surface. The yellow colored wine had a gold hue. The champagne aged for three years and had 8 g/L dosage. The champagne had a very creamy mouthfeel and offered red berry fruits with a hint of apple. This champagne was refreshing and would make a good aperitif.

Champagne Jean Forget had two champagnes available for tasting. The tradition was a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. It had a light gold color and multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a circumferential mousse. Apple and citrus were notable as well as a creamy mouthfeel. Use this champagne as an aperitif. 

The Jean Forget Rose had a salmon color with a pink hue. This wine was also a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. Multiple columns of tiny bubbles formed a circumferential mousse. The wine offered red berry fruits on the aroma and taste. The mouthfeel was creamy. This wine would make a good aperitif especially on Valentine’s Day.

Cheers,
Terry

By Terry | Posted in Wine Notes | Comments (0)

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