After a full month tasting some Rioja which are still 20% off this weekend, for the last tasting of April we will stay around the Mediterannée with Italy and Greece.
The area consists of the regions Trentino and Alto Adige, neighbors in Northeast Italy, and is part of the Tre-Venezie trifecta. The northernmost region of Italy is fairly hilly due its closeness to the the Alps, and many vines in Trentino are terraced along the hillsides for ideal sunlight benefits. Alto Adige, in turn, has more vines on the valley floors, but enjoys warmer summers. White and sparkling are the name of the game here in quality and exports, although oddly enough, more red wine is produced. The majority of this red wine is drunk locally and in neighboring countries.
Nals Margreid Pinot Gris owes its distinguishing and full-bodied make-up to its origins: 80-year old vines root in nourishing clay soils, which go towards the making of wines with excellent acidity, length, strength and structure.
Delicate aromas that recall spring wild flower, orchard fruit, herb and crushed rock lead the nose on this structured white. Aged partly in large casks, the round, full-bodied palate offers ripe pear, nectarine and a flinty mineral note while fresh acidity provides balance. A stimulating choice as an aperitif or with delicate, light dishes and mushrooms.
Bizios Estate's 2011 Nemea Agiorgitiko is the best example of this exquisite Greek grape variety to date, showing wonderfully ripe black fruit aromas, intermingling with notes of smokey spices and vanilla. 12 months in American and French oak barrels and then 6 months in the bottle.
In the mouth, the 2011 shows typically weighty 100% Agiorgitiko notes of dense black fruits, mixed with a hint of juicy raspberry. Tannins are soft and velvety, although still showing enough grip to suggest a certain amount of cellaring potential.
