winewaves

Kris Franz Haas Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2005

Pinot Grigio can be almost devoid of personality, often playing the role of a simple light white that won't offend anyone, but which won't excite anyone either.  Not so with Kris, a true expression of the grape and growing area that will keep your entire mouth and nose busy with a vivid taste of beautiful Northern Italy.

Kris Pinot Grigio is the combined effort of importer Winebow (Leonardo Locascio) and Franz Haas Winery, which is now in the hands of the seventh generation to grow grapes on their estate in Alto Adige, in the foothills of the Alps.  Kris' 100% Pinot Grigio fruit was sourced from vineyards in Montagna and the Mulinat Estate in Fruili, in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige.  Vinification was all stainless steel.

Tasting Notes: Color: Light lemon straw with a slight greenish tint.  Aromas: Meyer lemon, cold blossoms and hints of apricot and almonds.  Juicy, unsweet and rather tart, the mixed citrus rind and sour apple flavors are supported by a chalky minerality and the finish is palate cleansing.

Excellent value ($12).  Closure: Real cork.  Alcohol content: 12.5%.

Zefiro Prosecco Brut

Here is a bottle of bubbly that's perfect for substituting for an everyday white wine - anytime.  Like on a weeknight, you might pop one when you're getting dinner ready.  It's mouthwatering, stimulates good conversation and spirits, and won't go to your head (well not as fast).

Zefiro* Prosecco Brut is secondarily fermented in large stainless steel tanks (not in the bottle like Champagne).  The production is less than 2000 cases annually.

Tasting Notes: Color: Pale straw.  Aromas: Lemon icing and hints of cake, supported by whiffs of nuttiness.  Very light-bodied with nice bubbles, tangy and just off-dry, the minerally flavors finish clean.

Excellent value ($13).  Alcohol content: 11%.

Winewaves reviewed the previously released edition of Zefiro Prosecco Brut Conegliano in February, 2006.

*Zefiro is owned by the well-known Zardetto family, located in Conegliano, a town of 36,000, between the pre-Alps and the Adriatic Sea. The Zardetto family has been making wine professionally for generations.

Voga Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie 2005

A winning new Pinot Grigio brand has gotten better in year two.

Since Winewaves reviewed the inaugural (2004) vintage of Voga, this wine has received the most comments of any post, most of them very favorable.

With the 2005 vintage, the distinctive package has been dramatically improved by making the black plastic overcap a functional screw cap for resealing the wine after the "neocork" is removed. The new threaded overcap also eliminates the accidental dropping problems of last year's loose-fitting overcap. Voga Pinot Grigio 2005 was sourced from Trentino and Veneto in northern Italy. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw. Aromas: Apple, pear, lemon-lime, plus hints of cold blossoms. On the tongue, the body is light, tart, and dry, with citrusy apple and mineral flavors and a crisp finish.

Closure: Artificial "neocork" plus black plastic resealing overcap.

Excellent value ($9).  Alcohol content is a light 12%.

Ruffino Orvieto Classico 2005

Orvieto is not exactly a household word in Nashville, but this crisp lean everyday white is a good alternative to Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc.

Very fresh, crisp, and as a visit to Orvieto should be - delightful. Plus, here's an opportunity to taste four grapes you may not know. The composition of Ruffino Orvieto Classico is reported as 50% Procanico, 30% Grechetto, 10% Verdello, and 10% Canaiolo Bianco. Vinification is an all stainless steel affair. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale golden straw. Aromas: Delicate floral, apricot, melon and basil. Very light-bodied, nicely tart, with juicy citrusy fruit flavors that finish crisply and fairly dry. Closure: Real cork. Excellent value ($10).

Farnese Farneto Valley Trebbiano D'Abruzzo 2005

Just call this everyday white the "Bombino". Refreshingly light without being too simple, this white is ideal for the summer heat and it fits anyone's budget.

Bombino Bianco is the grape used to make Trebbiano D'Abruzzo.

Often used for blending and sometimes for vermouth, Bombino Bianco can produce better quality wines on its own, when the vines are pruned back and yields are reduced. Farnese Trebbiano D'Abruzzo is unoaked and unfiltered, with fruit sourced from the Ortona district of Abruzzi*, a few miles from the sea. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw with a greenish tint. Aromas: Perfumed floral notes overlay the lime and peach fruit on the nose. The mouthfeel is very light, with a slight sense of sweetness on the tip of the tongue, turning tart and unsweet. Light citrusy and peachy flavors lead to a simple clean finish. Excellent value ($7).

*Abruzzi is located middle way down Italy's boot, on the Adriatic Sea, on the opposite coast from Rome. This is south of the Marches, and well south and east of Tuscany and Umbria.

Primosic Friuli Isonzo Pinot Grigio 2005

Some of the top white wine values coming from Italy to the USA are from Friuli Venezia Giulia, including Primosic Pinot Grigio produced by one of the famous wine cellars in Collio. "Collio" means hill, and the terrain near the Italian and Slovenian border has been cultivated for centuries. Vinification was stainless steel. Tasting Notes. Color: Very pale straw. Aromas: Lemony, with faint hints of apricots and honey. Light, tart and minerally on the tongue, the citrusy green apple flavors finish very crisply. Closure: Composite artificial "neocork". Excellent value ($10, Total Wine).

Borgo Maddalena Venezie Pinot Grigio 2005

The first 2005 Italian Pinot Grigio spotted in Nashville turns out to be a sipper that's fresh, modern and sophisticated. Yet, like all good Pinot Grigio, it makes you want to run around in the cool rain.

The source of the fruit for Borgo Maddalena 2005 Pinot Grigio was Colli Orientali del Friuli or the eastern hills of Friuli, in northeastern Italy. Winemaker Massimo Vidoni, who also works with the Fantinel family's more upscale La Roncaia cellars label, vinified the lots in stainless steel. Tasting Notes. Color: Pale straw. Aromas: Cool honeysuckle, mixed tree fruit and lemon. Dry and light-bodied on the tongue, the very tartly elegant tree fruit and mineral flavors finish crisp and clean. Closure: Real cork. Very nice value ($12).  Food pairing: By itself or with crostini or biscotti.

Imported by Domaine Select Wine Estates.

San Guiseppe Veneto Pink Pinot Grigio 2004

Pink Pinot Grigio by San Giuseppe is certainly a small new wrinkle in the U.S. market, playing on the fact that Pinot Grigio grapes mature with a range of hues, including pink.

San Giuseppe Pink Pinot Grigio is the Brand idea of Vintwood International's Frank Gentile and Bob Musso. Their San Giuseppe website doesn't give any information regarding the source of the pink color. We do know the alcohol is on the light side (12%), and there is some residual sugar. Tasting Notes. Color: Very pale salmon rose. Really light citrusy, floral aromas invite you to taste the tart juicy, minerally, lightly fruity (orange, grapefruit, apple) flavors. On the tongue, this is a Pinot Grigio with some structure and body, just slightly sweet, and the finish is longer than many popular Pinot Grigios. Closure: Screw cap. Nice value ($10).

Zefiro Prosecco Brut Conegliano

A seat on one of Southwest Airlines' 440 Boeing 737 aircraft is frequently mine for an hour or two. Their glossy in-flight Spirit Magazine has become one of my favorite reads, and has gotten better over the last few years. Every month they feature a "Drink of the Month", and February's is Prosecco.

Prosecco is sparkling wine, made from the Prosecco grape, grown in northeast Italy, in Veneto, and secondarily fermented in large stainless steel tanks (not in the bottle like Champagne). The weather is cool in this region, thus the alcohol level in Prosecco is typically on the light side.

Zefiro is owned by the well-known Zardetto family, located in Conegliano, a town of 36,000, between the pre-Alps and the Adriatic Sea. The Zardetto family has been making wine professionally for generations.

Zefiro Prosecco Brut was produced from grapes grown on a leased 6-acre vineyard of 30+ year-old vines. The soil is heavy clay and chalky, at an elevation of 450 feet above sea level, and the vines are managed to produce under 4 tons per acre. About 1700 cases are produced annually.  Zefiro (and Zardetto) wines are imported to the USA by Winebow.

A small amount of residual sugar is left in the wine, and the alcohol content is 11%. Fabio Zardetto, working in the family business since 1982, is Winemaker. Tasting Notes:  In the glass, this bubbly is lively and pale straw colored, with a slight greenish tint. Light fresh citrus aromas are supported by nutty nuances. This wine sparkles lightly across the tongue, and is very slightly sweet with tart acidity. Citrusy, light fruity flavors are framed by the excellent balance between acidity and minerality, and the finish is crisp and refreshing. Excellent value ($12).

For a subtle variation, you can add a small amount of Mathilde or similar Poire liqueur from France.

Southwest Spirit Magazine also printed one of my pictures in February's issue, this shot out the window as we arrived in Los Angeles (LAX) on November 15, 2005. They referred to it as a "two-fer". You may check it out on page 22.

Voga Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio 2004

Voga Pinot Grigio seems to be a fast growing label in the world of Italian Pinot Grigio, and the Brand has captured a lot of attention with the signature bottle, which has been described as a giant "shampoo" or "perfume" bottle.

The wine itself is an IGT level wine, sourced from cool northern Italy, potentially from Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto, and/or Friuli-Venezia Giulia. 87.5 points. Color: Light straw, with a slight greenish tint. Aromas: Lemony citrus, honeydew, light cold blossoms and wet slate mineral. The mouthfeel is light and quite tart. Lemony, minerally (almost salty) flavors lead to a crisp palate cleansing finish. Closure: Artificial composite cork. Retail: $10. Value: Very nice. Confession: I didn't expect much, due to the "gimmick" bottle, but it's really pretty good.