En Primeur - Glengarry Wines

Each month, discover the value and style of Italian winesPasquaTerre del Sole Montepulciano 2005was $12.90 now$9.90 66074Montepulciano is Italy’s most widely-planted nativeblack grape variety after Sangiovese. It originatedin Tuscany, where it is still grown, and other centralItalian regions, including the Abruzzo region, sandwichedbetween the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea.Here, the variety reaches its zenith to produce winesthat are robust, well-rounded and with sufficienttannin to provide grip. It is a deep ruby wine with abouquet reminiscent of plum and black cherries. Thepalate has well-defined fruit with fine supple tannins.Great value, and worth buying by the case.Pasqua Mezzo GiornoNero d’Avola Cabernet Sauvignon 2004was $18.90 now$16 66067BUY A CASE OF 6 FOR ONLY $9.50 A BOTTLEBUY A CASE OF 6 FOR ONLY $15.50 A BOTTLEOne of the more exciting aspects confrontingour tasting panel involves the discovery ofwines that propel them beyond their comfortzone. Typically, those come from new wineriesor regions, but the discovery that generatesthe most satisfaction is the wine made froma variety outside the mainstream, that deliverson both quality and value: Nero d’Avola is anative Sicilian grape that produces dark,robust wines with a mellow mouthfeel. Thisis great drinking; spicy and full of persistentberry and liquorice aromas, with the flavoursbalanced, silky smooth and firm on the finish.Cecilia BerettaGrigio Luna Pinot Grigio 2005was $21.90 now$16 60486BUY A CASE OF 6 FOR ONLY $15.50 A BOTTLEWrite this one down on your must-buy list, becausenot only is it very good value, it’s an excellent foodwine as well; Italians love to sip it as an aperitif, butalso enjoy it as an accompaniment to dishes likeFritto Misto, an irresistible collection of batteredseafood and fresh seasonal vegetables. Harvestedfrom the sub-Alpine vineyards of the Valdadige DOC,this has a smoky edge on the nose that lifts the appleand pear aromas. The palate is medium bodied andquite lively, with well-accented fruit complementedby a hint of mineral and herb.Santa MargheritaProsecco di Valdobbiadene NVwas $33 now$26 62538BUY A CASE OF 6 FOR ONLY $25.50 A BOTTLEThe vast vineyards of Italy’s Veneto region arehome to a wide range of varieties, both importedand native, among them the ancient Prosecco,today used almost exclusively for producingsparkling wine. The grapes for this elegantbubbly were grown in the Valdobbiadene hillvineyards of the eastern Veneto. The wine wasmade by the Charmat process (in pressurisedtanks) and given a month’s lees contact to addcomplexity. It is a straw-yellow wine with a livelymousse and a fragrant bouquet hinting at peachand pear. The palate is fruity and well balanced,and finishes on a fresh, lively note.CecchiBonizio Sangiovese 2005CecchiTeuzzo Chianti Classico DOCG 2004was $19.90 now$16 62443BUY A CASE OF 6 FOR ONLY $15.50 A BOTTLEA great food wine, particularly with pasta, and surelya steal at only $16. It is a 100% Sangiovese harvestedfrom the Maremma zone, inland from the TyrrhenianSea in south-east Tuscany. The Cecchi family, whohave had a long association with the region, believethe soils and climate, moderated by proximity to thesea, are ideally suited to the variety. This wineemphatically underlines that opinion; it has slightlyearthy ripe cherry aromas on the nose, and a wellproportioned palate. The berry flavours developthrough the mid-palate and extend well into thefinish.was $37 now$29 62418BUY A CASE OF 6 FOR ONLY $28.50 A BOTTLEChiantis this good at this price are getting to be arare breed, as wine lovers around the world are rediscoveringthat a great Chianti is the equal of thebest reds on earth. The wine is named after Pietrodi Teuzzo, who owned the Cecchi Estate vineyard athousand years ago. This is a deep garnet-colouredwine with a complex, integrated bouquet displayingripe cherry, raspberry, rose petal, spice and cedararomas. The palate shows lots of tertiary complexity,intensity and depth, and a ripe array of fruit flavourssupported by oak. The finish is long and lingering.Pietro would have approved; this is magnificent.13