A Morning Tasting at Fattoria La Valentina

On day two of touring Abruzzo vineyards, we started at Fattoria La Valentina which is located in Spoltore in the Pescara province. One of the owners, Sabatino Di Properzio met our group and took us out to tour the estate Bellovedere Vineyard before our tasting. The vineyard sits just a couple of miles from the Adriatic Sea, that coupled with the cool mountain breezes brings out the best the grapes have to offer.

He felt it was important to share that the vines are all pergola trained. Their goal is to intervene as little as possible although the vineyard does have water misters which are only used as needed for troubled spots. The oldest vines are 47 years old, they use what he called "a French approach" changing out plants only as needed. The vineyard is sustainably managed.

In the winery, they prefer small French oak barrels with a low toast. The Binomial, one of their single vineyard wines, is refined in barrique. Sabatino Di Properzio says, "Barriques are used to obtain the best from a wine not to add flavor."

The partners continue with plans to expand by increasing their vineyard holdings.

The tasting:

The Spelt label is their attempt to link the Germanic background of the area to the wine. It is based both on legend and history.

La Valentina Pecorino 2017 - Fresh, vibrant, concentrated zippy citrus aromas and flavors, round feel with a slightly creamy finish.

La Valentina Spelt Trebbiano d'Abruzzo Superiore 2017 - Light, fresh and crisp wit a red apple nuance and a mineral laced finish.

La Valentina Spelt Cerasuola 2017 - Fragrant fruity ripe red berries with a pithy finish, dry, full body, lightly tannic, with clean, crisp acidity.

La Valentina Spelt Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2014 - Aromas and flavors of sweet mixed berries with a spicy note, a more rustic style, more tannic.

Binomio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2014 - Sabatino Di Properzio described this wine as the mountain expression of their two single vineyard wines. Rich and concentrated with dark fruit, blackberries, plum, black pepper, ripe tannins and a raspberry finish.

La Valentina Bellovedere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2013 - Sabatino Di Properzio described this wine as the coastal expression of their two single vineyard wines. Floral with dried herbs over mouth filling flavors of mixed berries with a slight saline minerality.

Spelt Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2003 - From a hotter vintage, this wine displayed more tobacco, dried herbs with a hint of balsamic over black plum.

La Valentina Bellovedere Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2006 - Floral notes of violet with ripe red plum, dried herbs and a hint of balsamic with a bigger structure, full body, velvety tannins and a persistent finish. My favorite red in the tasting.

Binomio Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2000 - Smoky tobacco, sandalwood, dried plum with a sherry note in the lingering finish.

A surprise wine with lunch:
La Valentina Auha Fiano - Floral and fruity with jasmine, apricot and grapefruit with a fresh, lingering finish.

An Immersive Introduction into the World of Asolo Prosecco

Dinner Views at Osteria Alla Baracca. I was very excited to visit the Asolo DOCG Prosecco region at the end of May on a press trip as it is an Italian area that I have not previously traveled through. Asolo is located in the Province of Treviso at the foot of Monte Grappa in the high hills to the west of the Piave River with views of the Dolomites. The grapes are grown in 17 communes surrounding the town of Asolo. The days were very warm while I was there but I needed a sweater or light jacket on most evenings due to the diurnal swing that makes it a great area for grape growing. Wines from the Master Class Tasting. Asolo was elevated to the DOCG level in 2009. The majority of the Prosecco that I have found in Houston is Prosecco DOC which is mostly from very large producers. Asolo was separated from this category and the region was given this higher status because there are terroir elements that make it distinctive in the world of Prosecco. The Sant'Anna Vineyard. Many of the vin

Lust Zinfandel 2007

My husband loves this wine so he purchased quite a few bottles at a recent Michael~David dinner that we had attended. Last night, I decided to open a bottle to serve with dinner. I was making a roasted southwestern pork tenderloin, sweet potato fries (w/ chipolte ketchup) and a salad consisting of baby lettuce (fresh from my garden) with strawberries, red bell peppers, red onions and walnuts tossed with a white balsamic-raspberry vinaigrette. This turned out to be a great pairing. It is a bold wine that really stood up to the strong chipolte seasoning while complementing the fruit flavors. I opened the bottle a 1/2 hour before I served it as I have found this wine to be more enjoyable when I do so. The Lust Zinfandel by Michael~David 2007 was a dark purple color with a ruby rim. It has intense aromas of very ripe mixed berries and baking spices-both allspice and ginger with hints of cedar. It has flavors of creme de cassis, milk chocolate and also more of the baking

"The Zen of Zin" Tasting at Fleming's in River Oaks

On Friday evening, my husband and I attended the Zinfandel wine tasting at Fleming's in River Oaks. My husband gets totally pumped up for any and all things Zinfandel but what I found really intriguing in the line up of wines were the aged offerings. Brent Sloan, managing partner at Houston's premier wine storage facility Nos Caves Vin, had provided Fleming's with four 18 year old bottlings and one 17 year old bottling from his collection of some of his favorites. I found this interesting because 1. I don't believe that I have ever had an 18 year old Zinfandel before this evening and 2. From various wine classes, I had always heard that at best Zinfandel had very limited aging ability. So, I was definitely excited to give these wines a taste. There were also an additional five younger Zinfandel wines that are some of Fleming's best sellers. The entire tasting line up for the evening included: 2009 Orin Swift Saldo - California 2007 Schulz "Lampyridae Vin

Wine Life - Houston

Search This Blog