Friday Sips

Join Us for Friday Sips!

TUSCAN NIGHTS CERAMICS & VIETTI BARBERA & NEBBIOLO

Today, April 12 from 3:30-6:30 PM

Drop by to meet Karen Fast, Bend-based Italian pottery & ceramics importer who will be displaying and selling her wares. Deciding to be contrarian, we'll also be tasting 3 wines from the rock-star Piemonte producer, Vietti listed below




2010 VIETTI BARBERA D'ALBA "TRE VIGNE"
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE


We love Vietti's Barbera D'Asti (see below) but if one wants to see why the Alba version wine is 7 bucks superior, come in and taste today, Apr. 12, and see why!! As the name for this wine implies, this Barbera comes from 3 vineyard sites in the Alba region, specifically from Castiglione Faletto and Monforte, both superb Barolo villages, and Castiglione Tinella which is renowned for its superb Barbera.

The 2010 Vietti Barbera D'Alba is lyrical and teeming with pure red berry fruit including fresh griotte cherry, raspberry, mixed with nice spice and a very silky, luxurious texture along with a long-lasting, pleasantly-lingering finish. This is a downright delicious juice that can be enjoyed over the next 5-7 years with a wide range of foods from roasted pork to barbecued chicken to risotto jacked with porcini mushrooms.



2010 VIETTI NEBBIOLO "PERBACCO"
$23.99 BTL./$287.88 CASE


To quote our great friend, Vietti owner/winemaker Luca Currado, "If you learn to like the Perbacco Nebbiolo, you are then able to appreciate and love the Vietti Barolo even more!"

Initially smelling this wine, Bryan's initial notes were, "this bullies a hell of a lot of Normale Barolo"! This isn't overstating the fact because this wine is from single Barolo vineyards (Bricco Boschis, Liste, Brunella, Rocchettevino, Pernanno, Ravera di Monforte and Scarrone and with vines averaging 35 years). Practically a selection of juice and vineyards that show more readiness and drinkability than the Barolo Castiglione with aging 20 months in large cask, this wine is a supreme value. 2010 is a monster, virtuoso vintage for Piedmont and the latest edition is majestic. Drawn-out red fruits, roses, chocolate licorice and undercurrents of perfumed earth tones, there is exquisite movement, depth and persistence, especially on the detailed and luxurious finish. Drinks well early and also ages impeccably, too. Enjoy it with hearty risotto dishes, roasted game or intense cheeses.



2010 VIETTI BARBERA D'ASTI "TRE VIGNE"
$16.99 BTL./$203.88 CASE


A real go-to red wine, Vietti's Barbera D'Asti Tre Vigne is perennially the best value Barbera we work with and our true standard for Barbera quality under 20 bucks. As is a common theme for this week's Friday Feature, 2010 is a classically-styled vintage in Piedmont that has to be seen to be believed.

Blessed by beautiful growing conditions, aromas of cocoa, black raspberry and raspberry, the wine intermingles nicely with allspice and mineral aspects. Flavor-laden with excellent complexity in the mouth with everything integrates nicely on the lingering, pleasing finish. It's the perfect, hearty choice for roasted lamb or risotto prepared with slowly braised beef and mushrooms. Bravissimo to Luca Currado once again for producing a kickass wine that makes you feel as though you're drinking something much more costly!



NEXT WEEK'S FRIDAY SIPS


Friday April 19

The 2nd Annual Haut Rian Dance Party with special guest, Chateau Haut-Rian owner/winemaker Michel Dietrich

DROP BY TO TASTE NEW SELECTIONS AND TO MEET THE MAN HIMSELF!!





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