Piedmont Wine Tasting at Café Maxx

“High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water.” ― Mark Twain If you have been following the propaganda of this store you would know that that Piedmont is one of my favorite wine regions on earth and we taste a lot of great wines from the Piedmont through the course of the year. This tasting is an introduction to this area and its unique array of grape varietals including: Arneis, Cortesi, Brachetto, Dolcetto, Barbera and of course the greatest grape of all... Nebbiolo! Join us as we explore the wines of the Piedmont along with a few small courses served up by Chef Oliver Saucy. The fee for this tasting is $35+ tax, for reservations call 954-782-0606. Piedmont Wine Tasting at Café Maxx Wednesday, September 19, 2012 6:30 PM Tasting Line-Up: Prunotto Arneis Price: $23.75 Sale $20.90 Case $243 Vineyards Monteu Roero, Montaldo Roero, Monta 'and Vezza d'Alba. Sediment of Pliocene origin, rich in sand and calcareous clay. Straw yellow with light green reflections. Intense floral aroma and fruity. Very good structure in balance with the acidity and a long finish. It goes very well with all fish dishes and appetizers. Prunotto Monte Peroni Broglia Gavi Di Gavi La Meirana 2011 Price: $19.25 Sale $16.94 Case $196 Lime citrus with melon with wet stone very fresh and clean light white floral notes. A good amount of melon and lime citrus on the tongue light and refreshing with a texture of skim milk, some wet stone minerality and whtie floral perfume on the finish, light and refreshing. Finish 35+ Very Good Pecchenino Dolcetto Di Dogliani San Luigi 2011 Price: $17.25 Sale $15.18 Case $176 The Company was founded at the end of the nineteenth century, in an area where Dolcetto vineyards have been a typical feature for centuries, as is documented by a writing that dates back to 1432, which is kept in the communal archives. The farm has always been family run, and the land has passed from father to son throughout its history. The first historical evidence of the farm is from the beginning of the twentieth century, when the farm was led by Attilio Pecchenino (the grandfather) and had little more than 8 hectares of land. In the 70s, the farm was given to Marino Pecchenino (Attilio’s son), and in 1987 to Orlando and Attilio (Marino’s two sons) who currently own it and manage it. At present, after having recently bought a new farm (Bricco Botti), the total land owned by Pecchenino is approx. 25 hectares, all in the area of Dogliani. For a couple of year now, Pecchenino has expended much energy on making his dolcettos more elegant and appetizing abroad as well as in Italy. The results clearly show in his two main house Dolcettos: the San Luigi and the Siri d’Jermu that recently was upgraded to Dogliani DOCG status. Damilano Barbera D'Asti 2010 Price: $15 Sale $13.20 Case $153 (87 Points) The 2010 Barbera d’Asti emerges from the glass with dark berries, leather, licorice and scorched earth. It shows good length and character, but not quite the personality of the very finest years. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2014. Wine Advocate #197, Oct 2011 Prunotto Barbaresco 2008 Price: $51.75 Sale $45.54 Case $528 (93 Points) The 2008 Barbaresco Classico is very pretty in the way it wafts from the glass with sweet dried cherries, licorice, tobacco and sweet spices. It is a feminine, graceful wine loaded with class and personality. The Barbaresco Classico impresses for its classiness and terrific overall balance. This is a superb showing in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. This is an impressive set of wines from Prunotto. From top to bottom, every wine in this lineup is well worth considering. It would be nice to see Prunotto take their outstanding Baroli and Barbareschi to the next level. Given the quality of their vineyards and the significant resources of the Antinori family these should be truly profound wines. Wine Advocate #197, Oct 2011 Damilano Barolo Le CinqueVigne 2007 Price: $35 Sale $30.80 Case $357 (91 Points) The 2007 Barolo Lecinquevigne is a delicious entry-level Barolo. Sweet red cherries spices and French oak are some of the notes that waft from the glass in this supple, silky offering. Sweet hints of tobacco, cedar, candied fruit and crushed flowers linger on the round, silky finish. There is plenty of underlying structure to suggest the wine will drink well for a number of years. This is far from an easygoing entry-level Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. Damilano’s 2007s Baroli are big, massive wines that appear to need several years in bottle. They have plenty of underlying structure, and while ripe, they are also well balanced. Wine Advocate #197, Oct 2011 Fontana Fredda Serralunga d’Alba Barolo Barolo (1 liter) Price: $54 Sale $47.52 Case $551 Winery Notes: Garnet-red with ruby highlights that take on a slightly orange tone over time. Intense nose with overtones of vanilla, spices, withered roses and underbrush. Dry, full-bodied with velvety texture and great balance. It is very long-lasting. Marenco Moscato D'Asti Scrapona 2011 Price: $17.25 Sale $15.18 Case $176 Straw and gold in color, with an aromatic and fragrant nose. Perfect with biscotti or a bowl fresh berries. The sweet, peachy, flavors of the wine lend an exotic edge to the fruit. Great as a desert wine, even as an appetizer or with brunch. The fee for this tasting event is $35 + tax, for reservations call 954-782-0606.