Still trying to
think of some last minute christmas gifts for a coworker, family
member or friends? If they are winelovers or even just enjoy a nice
bottle of wine I have a couple Italian wine suggestions for you today
to consider on both ends of the price spectrum to consider.
Piedmont
I've
written about this particular winery, Damilano,
in the past from my personal visit to the winery. I shared my wine
tasting
with you and some background on the winery. I also had them on the
list for my Top 5
Wineries to Visit in Piedmont.
Today I'm sharing with you an affordable 2013
Damilano Barbera d'Asti.
Damilano has been producing the barbera grape since 2008 and this
comes from leased land in Casorzo, which is located in the province
of Asti. This wine is made of 100% barbera and is aged 60% in french
barrique and 40% in french tonneaux from 20-30 year old vineyards.
What I love about this grape is the drinkability of it and also the
complexity depending on the producer and area it's grown. Barbera is
the most planted red grape within Piedmont. With hints of purple in
the glass this wine was a little on the lighter bodied side than I
expected with notes of cherry and hints of vanilla and spice. Not
very balanced with the acidity though. Retails about $16.
Abruzzo
Now to step up the game a few notches we move to my next selection of
the 2006 Masciarelli Villa Gemma Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva.
I've written about the Masciarelli
family in the past for a local wine column that I write for. The
Masciarelli Tenute Agricole winery started by Gianni Masciarelli was
taken over by his wife, Marina Cvetic, due to Gianni's passing in
2008. Masciarelli's main focus, along with much of Abruzzo, are on
the primary grapes trebbiano (white) and montepulciano (red). This
particular wine, Villa Gemma, is Masciarelli's top tiered wine.
These wines come from the oldest part of the Masciarelli
estate. This is one of the top expressions of a quality
montepulciano d'abruzzo produced in this region. Full bodied, backed
by firm tannins and great complexity of dark fruits and spice.
Retailing about $75-80.
These samples were
provided to me, but as I always state I will not just write about a
wine and recommend it unless I enjoy it myself and of course there
are always wonderful stories to tell. I hope you're enjoying some
wonderful wine bottles yourself this holiday season. Merry Christmas
to all and enjoy this special time with loved ones! Buon Natale!
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