thornsby → Hermann Missouri Wine: Probably the best overall vintner was Bommarito Estates Almond Tree Vineyard. Excellent big, red wine (Norton Grape) and an excellent white port. St. James Winery had a Reserve Chardonel, extremely oakey and dry. I bought six.
August 15, 2008
comicshop: Springfield USA? Mysterious like The Simpsons, huh?
Think of elegant red wines, and I assume Brunello will be part of the list--I mean, on top of the list. Made from the clone of Sangiovese grapes--Sangiovese Grosso--Brunello is velvety in texture, dark red in color, and rich in flavor; therefore, it's not quite surprising that Brunello has become the favorite of wine collectors and even dignitaries.
Looking at the History
It was in the late 19th century that Brunello came into existence, thanks to Clement Santi, the original Brunello-maker. Santi then was doing experiments with Sangiovese Grosso grapes and concocted a concentrated, aromatic, and good ageing wine variety, which would later become the Brunello wine we are so enamored with today. Since then, more Brunello producers appeared until it became so famous in Italy and other parts of the world.
The Secret of Success
Combine good climate, quality fruits, and excellent ageing process, and you'll have Brunello. This 150-year old wine is aged for about four to five years to assure quality and great flavor. And oh, by the way, Brunello is quite expensive, but the satisfaction you'll get is certainly worth the price.
Its name probably comes from Vaio Amaron, the name of the vineyard originally owned by Serego Alighieri, a member of Dante Alighieri's family. Dante was an Italian Florentine poet. His greatest work: The Divine Comedy, is considered one of the last and greatest literary statements produced during the Middle Ages, and one of the first of the Renaissance.
Its full name is now Amarone della Valpolicella as confusingly before 1990 some wines were labelled Recioto della Valpolicella Amarone. Amarone is the dry version whilst Recioto is the sweet version. Also sparkling and fortified styles are made in small quantities.
In the novel “The Silence of the Lambs†by Thomas Harris, Dr Hannibal Lecter eats the census taker's liver with fava beans and a "big Amarone", rather than a Chianti as the film version states.
This is a wine produced from exactly the same grapes as a standard Valpolicella: Corvina: richness and aroma. Molinara: smoothness and balance. Rondinella: colour and tannin.
- but it is significantly different…..why ?
This is due to the unique wine making process called “Appasimentoâ€
This technique involves selected bunches of grapes being dried for up to 3 to 4 months in lofts or specially adapted sheds, where the grapes lose approximately up to a third of their weight. Only then are they crushed, producing a concentrated, rich, alcoholic wine.
Appasimento dates back to Roman times and Amarone as a wine did not grab the headlines until 1990. This was the year when Italy enjoyed an exceptional vintage and buyers having exhausted the “usual suspects†were desperately trying to find other new full bodied red wines: Amarone was propelled to fame almost overnight.
I've discovered a secret -- Missouri wine growers actually have some good wines. I recently returned from a wine tasting trip in Hermann, MO. I found several reds, a white and even some ports that were a tasty treat.
Once a month, by club consensus, we will do a virtual tasting of a premium wine. The tasting period will run Friday through Sunday with tasting notes for the wine posted by the Wednesday after the tasting.
Everyone is welcome to join this wine group.
Upcoming Wine Tastings: Jan 15-30: Montrachet Mar 01-15: Pavillon Rouge du Chateau Margaux (any vintage)
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