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Wine Spectator School: Tuscany and Sangiovese
Minneapolis, MN
Tasted July 20, 2012 by GoBlue2002 with 444 views
Introduction
Non-blind tasting of 2 Italian whites and 2 Tuscan Reds after progressing through 2 learning modules downloaded from wine spectator. The goal was to indicate the differences between native Italian grapes and international varietals. The wines were also paired with local foods including pecorino toscano cheese, tomato crostini, green tuscan olives, and capocollo.
Flight 1 - Welcome Wine (1 note)
Rosé
2011 Domaine de Paris Côtes de Provence Rosé
No formal notes taken, but this was an eminently quaffable dry rose which the group enjoyed.
Flight 2 - Italian Whites (2 notes)
Native Vernaccia vs. Chardonnay
White
2010 Rocca delle Macìe Vernaccia di San Gimignano
88 points
Pale straw in color, with faint aromas of lime, apple, melon, and stone. The flavors were moderately intense, and worked well with the crisp acidity. This dry wine was relatively light in body with a moderately long finish.
White
2008 Giacomo Vico Langhe Chardonnay
85 points
Gold in color, with faint green aromas of grass, moist earth, and above all oak. This off-dry wine was medium to full-bodied and showed moderately intense flavors completely dominated by oak. The wine was slightly flabby as well, but the main issue was the overly ambitious oak. The simple finish was of moderate length.
Flight 3 - Italian Reds (2 notes)
100% Sangiovese vs. a blend with 55% sangiovese.
Red
2010 Rocca di Montemassi Maremma Toscana Le Focaie
86 points
Pale ruby red in color, with faint aromas of red cherry, jam, plum, and currant. The flavors were muted. Moderately tannic, with a light body and high acidity, even for a sangiovese. This wine is a little harsh on its own, but paired very well with a tomato crostini. The finish is of moderate length. Works as a food wine.
Red
2008 Antinori Villa Antinori Toscana IGT
88 points
55% Sangiovese, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 5% Syrah. Moderately intense purple in color, with aromas of prune, tobacco, leather, plum, bell pepper, and vanilla. Well balanced with moderate acidity and tannins. The finish is moderately long with slight complexity. Drank pretty well for the price.
Closing
The food and wine pairing was a success, and even the oaky chardonnay and acidic sangiovese wines paired well with some items. WOTN was the Villa Antinori IGT or the Rocce delle Macie Vernaccia.