Italy 2011

Italy
Tasted Monday, October 17, 2011 - Friday, October 28, 2011 by brigcampbell with 772 views

Introduction

This was a trip for the record books. Bascially the last major region of Italy we haven't covered yet and one of our favorites because we like the food, the wine, mountains, and the coast. With stops in Lake Como (Veryanne), Lake Majorrie (Stresa), Alba, and Cinque Terre (Manarola) we were destine to touch on all our favorites. I didn't take diligent notes because I was too busy stuffing my face with food while I was enjoying the wine.

Flight 1 - Mile high tasting club (2 Notes)

On the flight from Frankfurt to Milano the flight attendant strolled by with a cart full of booze and I thought to myself "hey let's write a tasting note at 36K feet over the swiss and Italian alps. I had no idea when I look at the wines so I just asked "what's good?" and she poured me the syrah. On her way back up the isle she said "this is my favorite" and handed me a glass of the sparkling Reisling or "fizzy" as she referred to it. Come to find out later "fizzy" is commonly used term in Italy for the bubbly.

  • NV Menger-Krug Riesling 86 Points

    Germany, Rheinhessen

    (10/17/2011)

    Served on a flight from frankfurt to Milan. Recommendation of the flight attendant, how can you go wrong! Not bad actually, my first sparkling riesling. The bubbles were enormous, like a soda, and foamy on the pour. Light gold color with a whiff of petrol nose and pear. Mild sweet pear flavors and a crisp finnish.

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  • 2008 Bodegas La Guarda Syrah Cerro Azul 80 Points

    Argentina, San Juan, Tulum Valley

    (10/17/2011)

    Served on a flight from Frankfurt to Milan, had to write my first tasting note at 36K feet. Wish is was a better wine. Taste like grape juice, nothing going on of interest.

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Flight 2 - The Lakes; Como, Stresa and the isola of maggoria (3 Notes)

Wow is all you can really say about these places. Incredibly beautiful and peaceful, at this time of the year. I'm sure the towns are slammed in the summer but off season when the weather begins to cool is the best time to explore these types of places without all the fuss.

  • 2007 Arpatin Barbaresco 83 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    (10/17/2011)

    Super light, very mild fruit. Not much in the way of stucture, a passive wine. Enjoyed while playing pinocle overlooking the Isola Bella in Stresa, Italy.

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  • 2009 Pio Cesare Barbera d'Alba 86 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

    (10/17/2011)

    Purchased with dinner in central Stresa, Italy with Russ and Mike. Medium dark color. Distinct yet not overpowering barnyard aroma and dark fruit. Taste the barnyard and fruit as well. Some black olive mixed in on the attack. Medium-short finish.

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  • 2008 Louis Latour Chardonnay Ardèche

    France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Ardèche

    (10/19/2011)

    C: green tint
    N: apple
    P: some pear and green apple.
    F: just ok

    Not much in the way of acid and some heft.

    Hey, it was served cold on a warm day sitting in a cafe overlooking the harbour in Ascone, Switzlerland. Very pleasant!

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Flight 3 - Parma (1 Note)

After the basalmic and parma cheese tour we head down to the old town parma and walked around. We found an amazing restaurant and I completely screwed up ordering the wine.

Flight 4 - Alba and Barolo (8 Notes)

Pictures will never do this place justice. I've been to Napa, Paso, and Santa Barbara but nothing prepared me for the sites of the Langhe. Litterally, they've planned vines everywhere as far as the eye can see. Not a great place to be a tree actually. I've certainly gained an appreciation for the "wine family" after visiting the area and their multi-generational involvement in the business. And there's no question it's big business but with a very intimate touch.

  • 2008 Castello del Terriccio Capannino Toscana IGT 86 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    (10/17/2011)

    Purchased at a wine bar in Stresa, Italy. Definitely a good QPR for 16 euro super tuscan. Slight grip at the end which is expected at this point.

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  • 2006 Casetta Barolo Vigna Case Nere 83 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (10/21/2011)

    A bit fruit forward and firm tannins. Slightly bitter finish.

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  • 2006 Camerano Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (10/21/2011)

    Tannic bomb, fruit is completely buried. Face puckering finish. This does have potential but come back in another decade.

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  • 2005 Villa la Favorita Nebbiolo d'Alba

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba

    (10/18/2011)

    This is the wine of the house we stayed at in Alba. Typical light Nebbiolo color of aged brick. Touch of cloudiness. Earthiness and light strawberry. While there is still some good structure the tannins are rounded out on the back end. Good solid quality quaffer and at 6 euro how can you go wrong.

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  • 2010 Vietti Roero Arneis 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero

    (10/22/2011)

    Very light color, just a touch pale yellow. Pear and citrus aromas. Light pear and crisp lemon flavors towards the end. Medium mouthfeel with good acidity and crisp finish.

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  • 2006 Giacosa Fratelli Barolo Scarrone Vigna Mandorlo

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (10/21/2011)

    Still too young. Plenty of tannins and limited fruit. I'm not the guy you want scoring your young nebbiolo vintages

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  • 2008 Oddero Barbera d'Alba

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

    (10/27/2011)

    C: very dark purple and crimson
    N: bit muted with some fruit and spice
    P: big fruit, berry/cherry. Touch of heat
    F: medium with firm tannins

    Nice overall wine and great food pairing.

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  • 2008 Vietti Dolcetto d'Alba Tre Vigne

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

    (10/27/2011)

    Didn't enjoy. Alcohol showing, nose shut down.

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Flight 5 - Cinque terre (4 Notes)

While there are lots of grapes growing on the hills, it's not a wine destination. But who really cares when you have food and views like this? I'd rank this place above the Amalfi coast in every catagory except limoncello and pizza.

Flight 6 - The Flight Home (2 Notes)

Grueling is all I can say. Although it was on a new airbus and it was a direct flight from Munich to LAX, the wine didn't help.

  • 2009 Tommasi Arèle 80 Points

    Italy, Trevenezie

    (10/27/2011)

    C: very dark
    N: not much showing except small grassy aroma
    P: lots of stem and grass; bitter
    F: lacking

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  • 2009 Tommasi Ripasso Valpolicella 85 Points

    Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Ripasso della Valpolicella Classico Superiore

    (10/27/2011)

    C: garnet
    N: sweet perfume, earth, and coffee
    P: dark druit, coffee
    F: short/medium length, drying ending, thin mouthfeel

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Closing

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