Ninety+ Italian Wine & Cheese Tasting May 3rd & 5th
Thursday 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM,
Saturday 12 PM – 5:00 PM
Greetings to all Wine Steward friends,
This week we will be tasting wines from 90+ Cellars recent Italian acquisitions. They are a company that has taken advantage of the wine glut caused by the difficult economic times. We have selected two whites, a clean and crisp Pinot Grigio and a refreshing Prosecco. In addition to the whites we have three great Italian reds, a Super Tuscan, a Barbera D'Alba and a unique blend from Piedmont. As with the other Ninety+ wines we have tasted in the past, they are great wines at a fraction of their source winery cost. Please see below for more details about the wines.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our tastings.
Thanks,
Rocco
Ninety+ Wines
This company is taking advantage of the current economic conditions by purchasing high quality and highly rated finished wines direct from wineries at a discount and then passing the savings on to you. Price and availability aren't the only selection criteria. The wines we purchase must have a pedigree of 90 points or higher ratings, a best buy, or gold medal accolades from a respected wine authority or publication.
They are buying a winery's best and most highly rated finished wine, which they would normally sell under their own label. Wineries are willing to work with us because they either produced more than they need or sales have slowed. In return, they are promised complete anonymity, which we take very seriously.
The wines of 90+Cellars are great values because they are a virtual winery they don't own any land or bottling facility. In fact, the source wineries bottle and label their wines for them. They simply search out world class wine, negotiate a great price and then pass the savings on to their customers.
Upon release, each 90+Cellars wine is assigned a "Lot" number. A lot is defined as a particular wine from a winery. On successful lots they may purchase the next vintage (if available) if the quality is the same or better.
In the end, it is their goal to provide wine lovers with an outstanding bottle of wine at a great price. If you like the idea of fine wine for less money, then give their wines a try!
Ninety+ Cellars Lot 50 Prosecco N/V
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Varietal: 100% Prosecco. Glera is the European Union-approved name for the green-skinned Prosecco grape of north-eastern Italy. The name change occurred in 2009.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of fresh peaches leap from the glass along with hints of ginger and lilac. Once sipped, a shower of foamy bubbles dances soulfully on the tip of your tongue and then bursts into a medley of crisp citrus fruit. Serve between 46 and 50 degrees.
Food Pairing: This extremely versatile wine can be served with traditional desserts, from pastries to fruit tarts, as an aperitif for your antipasto, or simply by itself after dinner. Pair with mild cheeses, light hors d'oevres, salads, seafood linguine in garlic butter sauce, trout, sole, snapper, mahi-mahi, oysters, clams, creamy sauces and spicy Asian food.
Ninety+ Cellars Lot 42 Pinot Grigio 2010
Origin: Trentino, Italy
Varietal: 100% Prosecco
Tasting Notes: Golden yellow in color with ripe apple, pear, and apricot aromas hovering above notes of wild flowers and honey. Medium bodied with a generous smack of minerality.
Food
Pairing: This
wine is perfect with pasta primavera, grilled seafood, or sliced prosciutto,
Fontina cheese, and fresh crusty bread.
Ninety+ Cellars Lot 57 Rosso Toscana Reserve (Super Tuscan) 2009
Origin: Tuscany, Italy
Varietal: 80%Sangiovese with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot
Tasting Notes: An exotic blend of aromas consisting of black cherry, fig, wood spice, camphor, wild flowers and leather. The wine is medium to full-bodied with a gentle, caressing texture that soothes your palate and calms your soul. On the nose, think blackberry and spice, followed by a palate of black cherry, silky tannins and a long finish. The past 2 vintages received ratings of 90 points or more from Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator.
Food Pairing: Try this wine with herb rubbed grilled steak, sausage with lentils, or a few slices of aged Piave.
Ninety+ Cellars Lot 27 Barbera D’Alba 2010
Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: 100% Barbera D’Alba
Tasting Notes: Complex and concentrated aromas of raspberry, black cherry and stewed tomatoes with hints of toasted hazelnut and chocolate in the background. The wine's full texture is balanced by its vibrant acidity and mild tannin.
Food Pairing: A perfect fit to serve with Spaghetti Bolognese,
roasted red meats and aged cheeses. Barbera is the quintessential food
wine, capable of enhancing the enjoyment of nearly any meal.
Ninety+ Cellars Lot 60 Langhe Rosso Reserve 2010
Origin: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: 50%Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Nebbiolo and 25% Barbera
Tasting Notes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Nebbiolo and Barbera is not your typical blend, but then again we aren't your typical winery. This "Super-Piemonte" combines the sweet dark currant fruit of Cabernet with the fresh black cherry aromas of Barbera and the powerful savoriness of Nebbiolo. This is a rare blend that should only be attempted by the most skillful winemakers. Chances are you haven't tasted anything like this before. Inky purple in color with hearty aromas of black currants and cherries amidst a cloud of smoke, cedar, tobacco and mint. Full-bodied and forthcoming with and onslaught of ripe, brambly fruit that firmly caresses your palate before melting into a velvety finish. 92 Points Wine Spectator
Food Pairing: Enjoy with braised lamb shanks, roasted root vegetables, and hard, aged cheeses. This will pair well with all red meats, including a filet mignon and rack of lamb.