2013 Cantine Federiciane, Gragnano, Penisola Sorrentina DOC, Secco, Sparkling Red Wine, Italy.
Slightly fizzy chilled red wine, it is the new geeky cool and you should not overlook them, there has been a revolution in these wines recently, especially the Lambrusco wines, but there are many regions in Italy that make this style fizz and there are exciting and great. The generational change in winemaking across Italy is bringing back ancient wine techniques and styles with a new dedication to quality, tradition and terroir, these are not your grandpa’s Lambruscos or rough stuff, there are some amazing wines to explore, and I recently found a southern Italian wine worth checking out, it is a Lambrusco dry style red from the Campania region near Sorrento in Monteleone, this deeply colored fizzy red is made from Aglianico, Piedirosso and a rare local grape, Sciascinoso, this full flavored wine bursts from the glass with a dark ruby hue, a bouquet of floral notes and mineral, along with wild herbs, spice and anise, leading to an energy filled palate of dusty raspberry, plum, cherry and currants with a hint of tar, lavender, iron and black figs. The soft mousse and the chill really lift the flavors, there is nice acidity and the tannins are firm, but supple, this is a well judged dry sparkler and crazy good food wine. I was very impressed, I might pick up a case or two to share with friends and or enjoy with spicy pasta dishes, pizzas with Calabrian peppers, or roasted red peppers, or almost anything, it also with make for festive holiday cuisine pairings, Cantine Federiciane also makes a sweeter version, but I really liked this Gragnono and highly recommend you search it out, imported by Villa Italia, drink now and often.
($20 Est.) 92+ Points, grapelive
