NV Albino Armani 1607 Moscato Spumante, Italy
Intense Muscat aromas of honeysuckle, rose geranium, candied orange peel and papaya lead to a frankly sweet mouth presence, but the carbonation keeps it fresh, not cloying. This would be a perfect party wine, or serve it well chilled with lighter… Read more
NV Albino Armani 1607 Prosecco, DOC, Italy
This Italian sparkler is made “Extra Dry,” showing aromas of sweet apple and slate, with a note of yeast. On the palate, there is a nice balance of sugar and acidity. The finish is clean. Made from the Guyot grape grown in the Friuli region at… Read more
2011 Vigneto Saetti Rosato dell Emilia, Italy
This no sulfur-added sparkling wine from a land best known for its eponymous cheese would be plenty at home alongside a few aged shavings of that dairy product. Yeasty brioche fills the nose along with delicate unstained wood and wet rocks. The… Read more
2010 Azienda Vinicola Calabretta ‘Gaio Gaio’ Rosso, Mt. Etna, Sicily, Italy
At only 11.5 percent alcohol, this Rosso is impossibly easy to drink. But in stark contrast to some easy to drink wines, the “Gaio Gaio” (“Joy Joy”) is also complex. The opening is a veritable forest of flavor, with crushed red berries,… Read more
2010 Antonelli ‘Trebium’ Trebbiano Spoletino, Umbria, Italy
Roasted and salted Marcona almonds mingle with Anjou pear and bitter grapefruit, producing a white wine with remarkable savoriness. Much like a good margarita, the saline aspect of this wine pairs wonderfully with its acidity and nut-inflected… Read more
2011 Campi di Fonterenza ‘Pettirosso,’ Montalcino, Italy
100 percent carbonically macerated Sangiovese, from an up-and-coming estate founded by two sisters. Funky mushrooms and wet dirt in the nose, with a lingering spice note. Despite that dark, brooding opening, the wine is delicate, with notes of… Read more
2009 Hauner Hiera Rosso, Sicily, Salina IGT
Tightly wound, young Rosso bristling with forest berries and scented woods. Light and faintly acidic in the mouth, with penetrating notes of summer figs and Turkish dates, dusted with exotic Eastern spices like cardamom and coriander. Tasty now, but… Read more
2007 L’Astore Masseria ‘Jema’ Primitivo, Puglia, Itay
Inky, glass-staining Primitivo. Spicy and briary in the nose like rich, warm California Zinfandel, then shrinking on the palate to something a touch more lithe and delicate. There’s a hint of leather, too — supple, soft, sueded cowhide. Bright… Read more
2010 Correggia ‘Anthos’ Brachetto, Puglia, Italy
Regular readers of Wine Lines know that I’m a sucker for elusive, lesser-known varietals and funky, unusual chilled reds from small-scale vignerons. The 2010 Anthos, then, is practically made for my palate, with vibrant Rainier cherries, a touch of… Read more
2007 Villa Mongalli ‘Le Grazie’ Rosso, Montefalco, Italy
Still very young, with a current of tannins and noticeable alcohol, but with a lovely, ripe nose. Notes of plump summer raspberries, red roses, cedar and wet rocks are indicative of yet another juicy, easily drunk Italian ‘Rosso,’ and the 2007 Le… Read more
