Talamonti Tre Saggi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2008

There is a name of the grape-Montepulciano. It grows in Italian region -Abruzzo.
Also it's a name of the town in Tuscany in Italy. And in Tuscany there is a wine called Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Vino Nobile di Montepulciano is wine made from Tuscany grape variety-Sangiovese.
So, you can't confuse Montepulciano d'Abruzzo with the wine from Tuscany! They are two totally different wines.
 Talamonti Tre Saggi Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC 2008

Rich dark ruby color with purple notes. On the nose a lot of red fruit, smoky, coffee and oak. On the palate the wine is very meaty, rich, lots of oak, good tannins and balanced acidity. Very juicy with long finish. Will be wonderful with any type of pasta or meat.

Taste of Piedmont. Day one.

 

 Arriving to Turin. Pick up from airport on the comfortable bus. Drive to the Canavese region.

Check in the cozy and rustic agriturismo Cascina del Peso.

Visiting cantina “Orsolani”.You will enjoy a VIP winery tour and a wine tasting of the unique local wine.

After the wine tasting you will love the food at Chef’s Franco place. Chef Franco recently won national competition in Sicily.

Back to agriturismo. Relax before next busy day.

What is agriturizmo?

http://goitaly.about.com/od/italytravelglossary/g/agriturismo.htm

Terre more dell ammiraglia maremma toscana 2009

One of the perfect examples of super Tuscan's!
Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah. On the nose dark fruit, berries,  smoked and herbal aromas.
On the palate dry, with very soft tannins, balanced, medium bodied, delicious, with medium finish.
I had this wine with pasta puttanesca, which paired perfectly!

JOSEF DRATHEN RIESLING SEKT 2009

 Sparkling wine

Pale yellow color. On the nose mineral, apple.
Dry on the palate, little bitter, with fruity fresh taste.
Will be good with seafood appetizers.
Good, rather big babbles.

Fetzer Eagle Peak Merlot 2009

Color is dark cherry, very rich. Nose of berry jam, vanilla with a little bit of spice and candy.
Soft and rich on a palate with flavours of cherries and plum. Soft tannins. Good balance. Nice, long,  smooth finish with a taste of oak on the background.

The perfect pair

Yesterday I made eggplant rollatini. http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/eggplant-rollatini-recipe2/index.html Dish is rich with cheese and tomato marinara. Sweetness from ricotta cheese wonderfully balances with taste of tomato pasta. When I started thinking about a wine, Barbera immediately came to my mind!

Barbera is a grape growing in Piedmont region. Very popular local wine.

So, I had

Fontanafredda Barbera Briccotondo 2010

Ruby red color on the core with a little bit of purple.
On the nose wine is spicy with a lot of berries aromas and hit of chocolate. Medium bodied, rustic on the palate with good balance of tannins and acidity. Very fruity, full of flavours with long and nice finish.

And yes, it was a perfect pair for my eggplant rollatini. Richness of the dish  and balancing tannins and acidity in the wine came together ideally!