Parting with typical BBQ fare is simply not acceptable during tailgating season! Our friends made an Italian Sunday dinner, complete with "Sunday Gravy" with pork neck, meatballs and sausage. So what better wine to pair, then a Super Tuscan?
What is a Super Tuscan you ask? Well, it's nothing more than a wine made in Tuscany from "non-Tuscan" grapes. See, Tuscany has pretty strict rules regarding the types of grapes that can go into a wines. If you want to be a Brunello, you can only use Sangiovese planted in certain areas. If you want to be Chianti Classico, you can only use a different clone of Sangiovese planted in other areas. Wine makers, like all good artists want to expand their horizons, so they started planting Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, etc. But since they don't meet the regulations, they can't carry Tuscan classifications. Hence... it's called a "Super Tuscan" since it can't be called Chianti, Brunello, etc.
2006 Poggio al Casone La Cattura Castellani Toscana IGT
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
This particular Super Tuscan is a blend of Teroldego and Syrah (the former being an obscure Tuscan grape). Dark ruby red in color. On the nose, there is an overwhelming hint of oak. With some air, this blew off slightly to reveal some of that Italian "earth/stone" notes that I like in Tuscan wines. I also detect some cherry and flowers... but very faint. On the palate, there is some sour cherry that makes your mouth pucker along with a cranberry component. With some air, I picked up some dark fruits, but nothing that made me pinpoint it. Also detected some cocoa from the oak. Overall, not bad.
My take: Good
Cost: $13/bottle
Posts
0 comments:
Post a Comment