Italian Wines, Brilliant & Balanced
Over the last several weeks, I've been traveling around Italy - in spirit, of course. With each wine, a little window opened. And while sitting in New York, I could imagine the landscape, the people, the movement, the magic. This is Il Giocoliere "The Juggler" by Antonio Donghi of Rome. Perhaps a reflection of what we're trying to do everyday: practice, balance, concentrate, create. Harnessing all of our energy into one moment, where we might also take off the top hat and say ta-da. So with this, a little lineup to help you find your own moment of stillness.
Cordani Labaia 2013
Colli Piacentini, Emilia Romagna
Field blend frizzante, with a natural secondary fermentation in the bottle; formerly in boat sales, Marco Cordani creates wines that make you feel like you're on top of the hill for which the wine takes its name.
Ezio Cerruti Moscato Secco Fol 2014
Castiglione Tinella, Piemonte
Midway between Langhe and Monferrato, on steep sunny hills with chalky soils, Ezio, with great care and concentration, creates this dry moscato, fermented and aged in oak and incredibly aromatic. I'm transported everytime I open a bottle.
Roccalini Barbaresco Riserva 2011
DOCG Barbaresco, Piemonte
For Paolo's riserva, we head to the rolling hills of his estate, abundant with wild grasses, trees and animals.Tucked away, off the main road and overlooking the Tanaro River, Paolo creates his wines in the most natural way.
Vino di Anna Qvevri Don Alfio 2014
Mt. Etna, Sicilia
I wrote about Anna Martens in an offering recently, but I can't get this wine out of my head. On the north face of Mt Etna, this old vine Nerello Mascalese is fermented and aged in Georgian qvevri buried in the ground. Dark fruit, smoky, complex, unfined, unfiltered; ask to see this wine - we need to go here together.
Le Due Terre Sacrisassi Rosso 2013
DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli
Way over on the border with Slovenia, Silvana and Flavio create something hard to articulate. 50/50 Refosco/Schioppettino is fermented in concrete and aged in French oak barriques for 22 months; this, along with their other wines are just something you have to experience. This is the magic, this is the balance.