Northern Italy is a melting pop of Western Europe, there is influence from France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Slovenia… It is hugged by the Alps and the sea. It has medley of terroir from volcanic to alpine and a range of altitudes. For millennia geological forces coupled with the ever-shifting movement of peoples and cultures have carved out a truly unique and special wine producing regions. Come with us and enjoy a small taste of this ancient crossroads.
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Cheers,
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P. & E. Mullins
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2021 Brovia Roero Arneis
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Piedmont, Italy
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The Brovia estate has seen two world wars, delt with the phylloxera plague all while continuing to create effortlessly classic wines. Four generations have thoughtfully purchased some of the finest cru vineyard sites surrounding their home village of Castiglione Falletto. The vines have always been cared for by hand with organic practices. In the land of noble Nebbiolo, the only white produced by the Brovia family has been this Arneis, and only 10% of their vineyards are made up with these 50-year-old vines of Arneis. In the glass this wine is crystal pale gold. You can see the richness of its weight while it glides around your glass. It is very aromatic with notes of peach blossoms, yellow curry, and cool coastal laurel bay leaf trees. The palate is mouthwatering and savory with lingering flavors. The body and weight of the wine are harmoniously balanced. There is a great minerality throughout with flavors reminiscent of olives. Only 4500 bottles produced annually with 3000 being available here in America. Thank goodness for Rosenthal.
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2021 Foradori Lezèr
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Trentino, Italy
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We’ve had a love affair with Elisabetta Foradori wines for a long time, and now the torch is being passed to her son and this bright juicy light skin contact rosso is the perfect transitional wine for him to take up the mantle. The predominate grape varietal of Trentino Alto Adige is Teroldego. The dominant clone of Teroldego had been selected to emphasize the yield instead of the quality. It resulted in basic and uninteresting wines. When Elisabetta took over the vineyard at 20 years old she changed the way the vines were planted and replanted the vineyards without clones. Today all the Foradori wines are farmed with certified biodynamic practices, hand harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts. Elisabetta Foradori has become one of Italy’s superstar winemakers and she is by far the finest producer of wines made from the indigenous Teroldego grape. Today her children, 4th generation winemakers are running the winery. Winemaker Emilio created this bright ruby red with highlights of purply hues. It’s like a lipstick stain on a white shirt. The nose has bright notes of pomegranate with a little spicy vanilla finish. The playful palate brings to mind the Kool-Aid man busting through a wall “Oh Yeah!” cherry juicy goodness! Be sure to put a nice chill on this and really let it open to breath.
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“Wine is alive: in the glass it evolves, it beats, it goes deep into the body, into the soul.”
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2020 Grosjean Torrette
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Vallée D’Aoste, Italy
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We adore these wines and are grateful for our allocation every year. Located in the Northwest corner of Italy, along the French and Swiss border of the Western Alps at the foothills of the majestic snow peaked Mont Blanc is the village of Fornet where the Grosjean family has been for many generations. Originally cattle farmers, the family would produce wine for their own consumption. In 1969 Dauphine Grosjean, father of 5 sons, entered his wine in “Exposition des vins du Val d’Aoste” a local wine expo. His wine received such recognition that it motivated him to begin Grosjean Frères winery with his five sons, the frères (brothers). The brothers have been named “savers” of indigenous grape varietals in the region and this Torrette is a great example of that made with an indigenous blend of 80% Petit Rouge and even lesser known Vien de Nus, Doucet, Fumin and Mayolet. These unique alpine varietals are farmed organically and biodynamically while natural yeasts are utilized for fermentation. Aged in both stainless steel to preserve the fresh bright fruit that the cold alpine air provides and in oak casks for longevity and maturity. In the glass this is a beautiful bright deep red with a medium body, the rim around the edge is a blue tone and there. The nose hits you with butterscotch immediately. It has an elegance and savories with cooked cranberries and dried herbs. The palate is creamy and gentle with acidity and tannins. Notes of sandalwood, violets and concord grapes coat your mouth. We stress to open this wine up a couple hours before serving, or even better yet, decant it. It just gets prettier and more aromatic with time.
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