Zinfandel Wine Information Blog

11:08 AM

2009 - Carlee Wine

A Carlee Wine Artilce for Your Viewing

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Veneto Region


If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Veneto region of northern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you?ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

Veneto is located in northeastern Italy on the Gulf of Venice. The region is mountainous with all kinds of water; rivers, lakes, lagoons, and of course, canals. In its heyday, during the Renaissance (Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries), the Venetian Republic ruled a large part of northern Italy, and was a major player in the world of commerce and culture. Veneto?s present population is about 4.5 million.

Veneto?s capital, Venice, is one of the world?s top tourist destinations, claiming 60 million visitors a year. Its attractions are too numerous to list here. Venice?s neighbor, Padua, is the oldest city in northern Italy. Padua was the home of the famous astronomer Gallileo Gallilei. The metropolitan region encompassing these two cities has over 1.6 million people. Another city of interest is Verona with its numerous Roman and medieval monuments.

Agricultural products include cattle, corn, wheat, sugar beets, and of course grapes. With all the water you can be sure that fish and seafood abound. Rice is more important than pasta, and lovers of sweets will not be disappointed. Industries include textiles, silk, shipbuilding, and sugar refining, but the major industry remains tourism.

Veneto devotes almost 250 thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 3rd among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is almost 180 million gallons, also giving it a 3rd place. About 45% of the wine production is red or ros?, leaving 55% for white. The region produces 24 DOC wines and 3 DOCG wines, Recioto di Soave, Soave Superiore, and Bardolino Superiore. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. The G in DOCG stands for Garantita, but there is in fact no guarantee that such wines are truly superior. Almost 30% of Venetian wine carries the DOC or DOCG designation. Veneto is home to about four dozen major and secondary grape varieties, approximately half white and half red.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Trebbiano, Chardonnay, and Pinot Bianco, known as Pinot Blanc outside of Italy. The best-known strictly Italian white varieties are Garganega and Prosecco.

Widely grown international red grape varieties include Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. The best-known strictly Italian red varieties are Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara.

Before we reviewing the Veneto wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wine when touring this beautiful region.

Start with Pasta e Fasioli; Pasta and Bean Soup.

Then try Risotto de Scampi; Scampi Risotto.

For dessert indulge yourself with Torta de Paparele; Lemon Tagliatelle Cake.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed

Corte Gardoni Bianco di Custoza DOC 2004 12.5% alcohol about $8

I?ll start with the marketing materials. ?Floral notes mixed with sweet red Delicious apple and Bosc pear aromatics form the inviting and lifted nose. The flavors are quite different with citrus and green apples coming to the fore. It is light to medium-bodied, providing a tangy finish that would pair well with grilled, firm (tuna or sword) fish.? And now for my thoughts.

This wine was first paired to a commercial chicken pot pie with a bit of chili-lime hot sauce. I tasted some apple. It was quite weak at first, but did pick up some strength from sip to sip.

The next meal was more in line with the marketing suggestions, namely grilled salmon filet with oven-baked potato patties and French fries. While there was some apple taste, essentially the wine didn?t add anything to the meal. However, it went well with dessert, thin biscuits containing almonds and pistachios.

My next trial included chicken legs in a soy and onion sauce with rice and green beans. The wine was not unpleasant but was light and fleeting.

Montasio cheese is a specialty of the Veneto region. It is made from cow?s milk and can have a sharp flavor when it ages. I was happy when the wine was able to handle this strong cheese. It didn?t do as well with an Asiago cheese, also from the Veneto area.

Final verdict, I won?t be buying this wine again, even at its relatively low price.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is http://www.theworldwidewine.com



Another short Carlee Wine review

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Veneto Region


If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Veneto region of northern Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you?ll have f...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Carlee Wine Products we recommend

The FTD Daisy Vase - Premium


Easy daisy it. This bunch of daisies in a glass vase brings a bright day to someone special. Approx. 16H x 12W C12-3005P


Price: 79.99 USD



Headlines on Carlee Wine

Comcast.net African adventure instant win and sweepstakes

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:53:54 -0800
Grand Prize: 11-Day African Safari Luxury Package including world-class hotels, private tours, wine tastings, fine dining, an elephant adventure and much more. The package consists of: round trip air transportation, an 11-day journey of South Africa with a guided tour of South Africa’s wine country, private game drives

Sex Workshops and More!!

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 01:18:46 -0800
This is an awesome websites that offers workshops in about 9 different cities throughout the US. Some of them include a fellatio workshop (I am going to attend this ASAP), speed dating, lapdance/striptease classes, wine tasting, and so much more. CHECK IT OUT!! www.moxieinthecity.com

Searex Cranefields Wine: world speed record

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:31:27 -0800
Meer op www.powerboating.be. Gino Passchier en Sigi Greve zetten een wereldrecord snelheid op het water in de P1 evolution klasse: 118 mph! World speed record on the water for P1 Evolution Class at Coniston Lake! Read all about it on www.powerboating.be

Mauritius Hotels: Cocoon of Supreme luxury

Wed, 05 Nov 2008 22:35:05 -0800
Mauritius hotels are some of the best in the hospitality industry. Hotels in Mauritius have it all- serving the best food and wines, world-class amenities, recreational facilities, generous staff and well-equipped conference hall.

Slashfood roundup

Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:51:14 -0800
$7,000 Wine Class available at Royal Hideaway Playacar in Mexico. Class includes wine tasting, pairing lesson, customized dinner on the beach for two and...a bottle of 1986 Petrus.

10%20Timeless%20Cocktail%20Classics

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:41:17 -0700
No red cups or paper umbrellas here: Move beyond your college days of wine coolers and jungle juice and throw a cocktail party with class. With a few key liquors like rum, vodka, and whiskey, you can mix sophisticated drinks that are sure to satisfy even the toughest critics.

dine.wine.donate

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 10:53:03 -0700
A four day event featuring wine from around the world and world-class dining.


Cheese Wine

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button Add to Any Social Bookmark onlywire Socializer socialize it
2:29 AM

January 2009 - Wine Price

The Best Articles on Wine Price

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Molise Region


If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Molise region of central Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you?ll have fun on this fact-filled wine education tour.

Molise is a small region of central eastern Italy on the Adriatic Sea. It is one of the most unspoiled regions of Italy, about 90% hills and mountains. Its total population is less than a third of a million people, which makes it the second least populous region of Italy after the Aosta Valley. Molise was associated with Abbruzo until 1963.

Agricultural products include livestock, pigs, sheep, and goats, wheat and a variety of vegetables including giant celery. The coast furnishes seafood and fish. Polenta (cornbread) is as popular as pasta.

Isernia is the largest city with a population somewhat less than ninety thousand. This area was first settled about 700,000 years ago (not a typographical error) and is of archeological interest. The regional capital, Campobasso, was the site of major battles during World War II. If you love old European cities consider visiting Larino, even if it is not mentioned in major tourist guides. (I?m not naming names.)

Molise devotes about nineteen thousand acres to grapevines, it ranks 18th among the 20 Italian regions. Its total annual wine production is about nine and a half million gallons, also giving it an 18th place. The region produces 3 DOC wines. DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata, which may be translated as Denomination of Controlled Origin, presumably a high-quality wine. Less than 4% of Molise wine carries the DOC designation. Molise is home to almost two dozen major and secondary grape varieties, about half white and half red.

Widely grown international white grape varieties include Chardonnay and Trebbiano (in particular the Italian Trebbiano Toscano subvariety). The best known Italian white variety is Falanghina, the main component in the wine reviewed below.

The best known strictly Italian red varieties are Montepulciano, Agliacano, and Tintilia.

Before reviewing the Molise wine and cheese that we were lucky enough to purchase at a local wine store and a local Italian food store, here are a few suggestions of what to eat with indigenous wines when touring this beautiful region.
Start with Taccozze alla Crema a?Asparagi, Hand-Cut Pasta Squares in Asparagus Cream.
Then move on to Zuppa di Pesce alla Termolese, Seafood Pot from Termoli, a resort on the Adriatic Sea.
For dessert indulge yourself with Calcuini del Molise, Sweet Chestnut Fritters.

OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY While we have communicated with well over a thousand Italian wine producers and merchants to help prepare these articles, our policy is clear. All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.

Wine Reviewed
Rami Di Majo Norante Falanghina Del Molise 2005 12.5% alcohol about $11.50

I?ll start by quoting the marketing materials. ?Made from the well-known Falanghina grape (with a little help from the ubiquitous Fiano variety), this delviers fresh peach and apricot flavors with a good citrus spine. It?s crisp and refreshing. And goes well with slightly spicy seafood or chicken, or makes an excellent sipping wine.?

I first tasted this wine with fried chicken cutlets, rice, and corn on the cob. I found it smooth with apricot but no peach flavors. It had more of a citrus smell than taste. I added a cayenne pepper sauce to the meat, and the wine rose to the challenge.

I then tried Talapia filets cooked in an onion sauce with a side of green beans in tomato sauce. I added too much cayenne pepper sauce, which was too harsh for the wine and for the fish itself. However, even with a deadened palate the wine was pleasant.

In the presence of a commercial chicken pot pie with a chili and lime hot sauce (but not too much) the wine was citrusy and refreshingly acidic. On the down side, the wine was short.

Kube, also known as kibbe, is a Middle-Eastern specialty of balls of ground rice filled with ground meat that cooks slowly. The wine was an excellent companion, its acidity cutting the grease nicely. The word gossamer came to mind.

Sometimes we have to make compromises. As you can guess from the name, Pecorino Toscano is not a cheese from the Molise region. It is a sheep?s milk cheese that has been made in Tuscany and neighboring Umbria for thousands of years. Soft Pecorino Toscano is white with a tinge of yellow, while semi-hard Pecorino Toscano is pale yellow. It is moderately strong smelling and has a complex nutty flavor. In the presence of this cheese, our was crisp and yet unctuous.

Final verdict. This wine is a winner. When making notes on this wine I mistakenly identified it as a DOC wine but I double-checked the label. It is not a DOC wine, but in my opinion is better than many DOC wines that I?ve tasted.

Levi Reiss has authored or co-authored ten books on computers and the Internet, but to be honest, he would rather just drink fine Italian or other wine, accompanied by the right foods. He teaches classes in computers at an Ontario French-language community college. His wine website is http://www.theworldwidewine.com



Thoughts about Wine Price

I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Molise Region


If you are looking for fine Italian wine and food, consider the Molise region of central Italy. You may find a bargain, and I hope that you?ll have fu...


Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Wine Price Products we recommend

The FTD Bromeliad - Premium


An exotic plant that is a popular house plant. A beautiful decoration for any home or office. Pot is 6" in diameter, plant size will vary. C37-3460P


Price: 65.99 USD



Current Wine Price News

PBR: VAT cut to 15pc but alcohol and tobacco rise

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:29:36 -0800
The cost of beer, wine and spirits is set to rise to help fund the cut in Value Added Tax.

Spode Christmas Tree Mugs

Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:38:56 -0800
Warm up the holidays with this festive set of four beverage mugs in Spode’s beloved Christmas Tree pattern. Brimming with steaming hot cider, coffee, cocoa or spicy mulled wine, this straight-sided 9-ounce cup offers a lovely presentation before, after or during meals with a cheerful thematic spirit. A traditional design since 1938,

Free Nouveau Tastings

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:57:55 -0800
crown wine and spirits tastings in november

The Wine Seller

Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:48:44 -0800
The Wine Seller is an online shop which provides "spirits" for the Holidays or everyday occasions . Show up with a bottle of fine wine or have it delivered to your door . Champain and champain glasses are also available .Giftbaskets full of wine or create your own basket to suit your needs . Enjoy the Holidays :-)

It's Beaujolais Nouveau Day

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 06:07:01 -0800
The 2008 edition of Beaujolais Nouveau wine is here, and vintners hope it will lift spirits despite the financial crisis and a dismal crop.

Food Meditations: Simples Steps to the Perfect Gravy

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 10:56:35 -0800
Gravy, used to moisten, flavor and garnish, is one of America's "mother sauces." Change up your flavoring component with wines or spirits, mustards or mushrooms. Brown bits from the cooked meat help make the best gravies.

Hoboken YMCA Fundraiser "A Taste of Hoboken" Turns 21

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:44:50 -0800
The 21st Annual Taste of Hoboken went off last night without a hitch. There were over 30 restaurants and over 40 liquor, spirit, wine and beer vendors. The crowd was a bit lighter than last year (we are in a recession), but the room was still plenty full. This years event featured an expanded selection of quality wines from all over the world...>>


Wine Producers

Labels:

AddThis Social Bookmark Button Add to Any Social Bookmark onlywire Socializer socialize it