Mixed Case Misto Italiano

Tasting Notes

This “misto Italiano” case presents an opportunity to taste the diversity of Italian wine. Six different regions, bubbles, white, rose and red wines. This is a case of 12 (2 bottles each of the six wines).

We have two very different styles of Italian sparkling. Terre Gaie’s popular Prosecco where bubbles are produced in tank prior to bottling; and Majolini’s Franciacorta Brut, Italy’s answer to Champagne, where the more elegant bubbles are achieved in individual bottles, using the Traditional Method practiced in Champagne. There is a difference in the intensity, persistence and nature of bubbles in these two wines.

Next is a brilliant and rich Rose (Rosato in Italy). The Lupetta is from the Marche region; a region not very well represented in our market. We would suggest this may be a Rose better suited to red wine drinkers than white wine drinkers, but it straddles the mid-point between the two. Really yummy.

We also present a Pinot Grigio that is a significant upgrade from more common retail Pinot Grigio. If you have had Tunella products before, you have come to love the serious mid-palate weight they achieve in their wines.

We finish with two very different red wines. The fine, savoury Barbera d’Alba from traditional winemaker Claudio Fenocchio; contrasted against the bold and rich flavours of a Calabrian beauty made from a relatively unknown indigenous grape, Gaglioppo.

Terre Gaie Prosecco DOC (Veneto)
A product of the delicate, fruity, indigenous varietal Glera. From Terre Gaie’s volcanic soils in Colli Euganei, the Prosecco DOC (Extra Dry) is straw-yellow with greenish tints and has a fresh, delicate, fruity bouquet including hints of apple. In the mouth, the bubbles are very fine and persistent while quite elegant and lively.

Majolini Franciacorta Brut (Lombardia)
Franciacorta is one of the best-kept secrets among lovers of traditionally made sparkling wine. Champagne is well understood in our market: Franciacorta less so. Not to be outdone, the region stipulates the wine must receive longer lees contact than the minimum required for Champagne. A case in point is this Brut, which receives 36 months of aging on lees before disgorgement.

The result is a better expression of the yeasty, brioche notes so sought after among Champagne drinkers. This Brut is made primarily from Chardonnay with some Pinot Noir (10%). It exhibits a very fine beading in the glass. Classic aromas of brioche along with delicate flowers and stone fruit. Bubbles are persistent in the mouth, the wine is fresh with apple and citrus fruit, finishing clean with subtle toastiness.

Azzoni Rosato Lupetta (Marche)
Lupetta is Italian for young wolf. This Marche Rosato is a marriage of Montepucliano, Merlot and a dash of Lacryma and shows a brilliant fuscia colour. The nose is very expressive with macerated bing cherries, crushed strawberries, dried rosemary and a hint of violets. The palate is fruity, yet dry, and showcasing the same fruit as noted in the aromatics.

Tunella Pinot Grigio (Friuli)
The wine has an intense straw yellow color, evolving to a richer yellow with aging. It has a fruity and fragrant nose evoking aromas of warm bread crust and intense perfume of acacia blossom and ripe tropical fruit. The palate echoes the nose and is elegant, medium-bodied with moderate acidity and delicate hints of yeast. A wine with a decisive character.

Fenocchio Barbera d’Alba 2018 (Piemonte)
A deep ruby red colour with intense youthful aromas of plum, black licorice and a hint of cedar. The palate is dry with fairly high acidity that is well-balanced by intense fruity flavours. The finish is medium in length with an evident earthiness.

iGreco Cata Gaglioppo (Calabria)
iGreco wines are guided by the highly regarded Italian enologist, Riccardo Cotarella. As a result, “Cata” is a fleshier, silkier example of the usually heavy Gaglioppo variety and a perfect introduction to Calabrian wines. Six months in barrique gives a velvety roundness to the wine and a burst of spicy red fruits and chocolate notes come through on the palate and linger on the finish.