From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietals: Barbera and Dolcetto
Taste: Crafted from the iconic varietals of Monferrato - Barbera and Dolcetto, this vibrant and playful rosato also presents subtle aromas of red apples, strawberries, and summer herbs. On the palate, it remains lean, clean, and fruit-forward, making it the perfect accompaniment to an enjoyable afternoon or early evening as an aperitif or alongside a wide array of cuisine.
Pairing: Some ideas for pairing include rosemary risotto, lemony saffron risotto, fried zucchini blossoms, cobb salads, sweet corn pasta with ricotta, niçoise salad, salmon, pesto, roast chicken, or picnic fare (we’re sharing an awesome recipe below for a Chive Pesto Potato Salad to accompany any backyard bbq or sandwiches for a picnic). Take-out pizza, tacos, empanadas, and dumplings are some of our favorite low-key pairings.
Chive Pesto Potato Salad
By Kay Chun
About. As you may imagine, Piedmont only makes a tiny amount of rosato, so this fun and festive liter is also a rare quaffable treat. This fits our definition of a porch pounder, light enough to drink on its own, perfect for enjoying alone or with a picnic, and at a price that won't break the bank.
Ercole (pronounced air-koh-lay) is a project aimed at honoring the work of the unsung heroes of Italy — the grape growers themselves.
Ercole, whose English translation is Hercules, is only made possible by a generations-old cooperative of local growers in the Monferrato area. Every fall, these men and women cultivate bright and balanced fruit, allowing us to make real wines that are transmitters of time and place.
The place, Monferrato, ranks among the most historic grape-growing areas of Piedmont. For that reason, we work primarily with Monferrato’s indigenous grape varieties. The fruit from this overlooked area gives us Ercole, a family of wines offering remarkable value. Enjoy these one-liter, screw-top bottlings unconditionally. Salute!
