From: Alto Piemonte, Italy
Varietal: Vespolina
Vintage Notes:“The portion of the hills in the Novara province where the Vespolina grapes for our Maria are grown are of glacial origin and formed by fluvial-alluvial sediments rich in loam and relatively acidic. We have named this wine after our daughter Maria.” - Producer’s Official Website
Taste: This wine presents itself in the glass with a ruby color enriched with purple hues. The nose is greeted with a bouquet of red berries and spices, underpinned by the distinctive aroma of black pepper. This is due to the grape's richness in rotundone, the aromatic compound found in herbs like marjoram and black pepper. The wine is medium-bodied on the palate, balancing lively yet gentle tannins and fresh acidity. The flavors are a delicate interplay of pretty notes, with dusty cherry and red forest berries at the forefront, complemented by bright red fruit notes intertwined with straightforward herb and spice overtones.
Pairing: Enjoy this red wine with medium-cured salami, youthful cheeses, roasted poultry, BBQ, pastas, and Asian cuisine that incorporates Chinese Five Spice, fermented black bean, and dishes that include umami-laden flavors (see below for recipe). Some sauce examples that add umami are soy or oyster sauce (ps Amino Sauce is an organic, vegan, gluten-free alternative to Soy Sauce), fish sauce, and Worcester sauce. This easy-to-drink, youthful wine will delight with its lively character, offering a delightful accompaniment to various light-to-medium dishes.
Orange Beef
By Sam Sifton