Tasters Agree

Friday night my friend Liz invited me to do a wine tasting. It's so nice spending time with her family. After two back to back tastings the evidence is clear to me that the italian white blend, Orvieto is a huge hit with those seeking a refreshing alternative to pinot grigio. I also had a suprising number of orders for a spanish Ribera del Duero Tempranillo that I presented at another tasting. Both were something better than the ordinary, easy drinking, food friendly, with great price points. The Orvieto and the Tempranillo both retail for only $17.99. (www.myttv.com/lorie14020). The Orvieto goes well with goat cheese, lighter fish dishes especially poached fishes, and prosciutto with melon. It's also a good sipping wine. The Tempranillo pairs well with braised or stewed beef, lamb dishes, roasted poultry and game birds, paella, and pork. Also good to enjoy all by itself.

2006 Tenuta Le Velette, Berganorio, Orvieto Classico Secco, Umbria, Italy
A stylish, crisp, slightly peachy white wine – real Italian character. This crisp white hails from central Italy’s Umbria region and comes from the Orvieto zone, named for the town of the same name. This wine is a step up in quality from your basic Orvieto as it is Orvieto Classico and is derived from the original smaller Orvieto zone. Vintners at this family run estate have produced wines since the 1870’s with over 220 acres of prima vineyard land. Excellent exposure provides all day sun and the rich soil is of volcanic origin. Produced via traditional fermentation with cold stainless steel and aged for 6 months in bottle before release. Brilliant pale straw-colored with emerald reflections, this intense Orvieto offers fresh fruit and floral nuances. This release is a traditional blend of Italian varietals including: 45% Trebbiano, 25% Grechetto, and 30% Verdello, Malvasia, Drupeggio. It opens with a complex nose of lemon, lime and apricots. With a beguiling roundness, these fruity flavors continue through a long finish with a touch of bitter almond. Excellent with seafood as well as fresh and aged cheeses.

2006 Catania, Ribera del Duero, Spain
Intense garnet red in color with strong violet hues, this wine made from 100% Tempranillo grapes exudes a bouquet of ripe berries on top of a licorice background. Full, fruity flavors of currants and spice flood the palate. With a powerful and fleshy mouthfeel and savory tannins, this unoaked red is at its best when paired with “chorizo” (Spanish sausage) and Serrano ham. Silver, highly recommended, 2008 World Wine Championships, "very good", Robert Parker's "Wine Advocate", "very good", Robert Parker's "Wine Advocate"

I plan to start including recipes in future posts and hope you will share some of your own food and wine adventures as well.