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Some Affordable Italian Whites


2011 Ruffino Orvieto Classico approximately $11
Clear, pale straw color with a watery rim. Clean, fresh aromas of mixed herbs, natural almonds and pear. Dry, medium- body, mouth watering high acidity, medium alcohol with a pear flavor and a medium length lemon citrus finish.
This wine comes from the historical growing zone around the medieval town of Orvieto in Umbria located in Central Italy. It is a blend based primarily on Grechetto and Trebbiano (aka Procanico). I served it with grilled sea bass and grilled zucchini, yellow squash and red bell peppers. I had weeded my herb garden shortly after I woke up that day and when I first opened the bottle that evening, I thought it smelled remarkably like my herb garden did in the early morning sunshine. Recommended.

2011 Barone Fini Valdadige Pinot Grigio approximately $13
Clear, pale straw color with a watery rim. Clean, fresh aroma of apple. Dry, light body, refreshing medium+ acidity, medium alcohol with an apple and citrus flavor and a medium length mineral finish.
This wine comes from the sub zone Valdadige which is located in the northeast area of Italy's Alto Adige. The first time I remember having it was at the "The Merroir Experience", an oyster tasting wine event held in Houston last Spring. Since then, I have seen it on a variety of restaurant wine lists including as a wine by the glass offering at a Chindian restaurant near me. I had picked up this bottle to have on hand for its versatility and affordability. I opened it to serve with pan seared tilapia and rice pilaf. A simple anytime white, Recommended.

2011 Inama Vin Soave Classico approximately $15
Clear, pale straw color with a watery rim. Clean, fresh floral aroma of chamomile. Dry, medium+ body, medium+ acidity, medium alcohol with a green apple  and under ripe pineapple flavor and a medium length finish.
This wine is 100% Garganega and is sourced from the classic region of production east of Verona in Veneto. I served this bottle two days in a row as an aperitif before dinner, Recommended.
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Comments

  1. New Hampshire WinemanSeptember 25, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    Sandra: "smelled remarkably like my herb garden did in the early morning sunshine."

    Very nice! Sort of where the rubber meets the road comment.

    Soave wines are very difficult to find in NH; I think I've seen two or three at the most, and not the Inama Vin.

    ReplyDelete

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