Château du Petit Thouars, Loire, France Rosé 2017 – The region of the Loire is particularly famous for its wine production, historians believe that the Romans were the first to plant vines here in the 1st Century AD and the practice certainly caught on. The Loire is also famous for its chateaux – an area favored by Kings for centuries in what is called the Garden of France. The Chateaux has been in the family since 1634! The Thouars family has a long history of adventure and accomplishment. The family lineage was involved in the American and French Revolutions with family members dying during Napoleon Bonaparte’s campaign in Egypt. The current generation has revived yet another family tradition by restoring the estate’s vineyards. Over 15 hectares produce complex reds and refreshing sparkling wines, and new vines will soon be producing fine whites as well. The reds and roses are 100% Cabernet Franc!
Taste Profile: Light watermelon rind flavor, citric aromas, red berries, refreshing acidity and a delicate, creamy mousse. Great for aperitif, the refreshing acidity of this wine makes it a great match for food as well. Cooper’s Price $13.99
Giacomo Grimaldi Sauvignon Blanc – Langhe, Italy 2016 – Giacomo Grimaldi, was founded in 1930 by Ernesto Grimaldi. In 1983 the winery was inherited by Giacomo, who sold the greatest part of his grapes in bulk, while keeping only a small part to be bottled for sale to a mostly local clientele. In 1996 Ferruccio Grimaldi, Giacomos son decided to continue the family wine business. Animated by a great passion, Ferruccio started to produce wines exclusively from the family’s vineyards. Kevin’s Notes: In March, we went to Aspen to taste 100+ different Barolo’s, Barbaresco’s, Dolcetto’s and Barbera’s and Grimaldi blew us all away. We committed to 5 cases of each; Pistin Barbera, Dolcetto d’Alba, and his Sauvignon Blanc. He was the one of the stars of the tasting and now you’re going all of them over the next 30 days. There’s something about Italian Sauvignon Blanc and I can’t put my finger on it. When you speak about Sauvignon Blanc people immediately connect it to New Zealand or Loire, France, but for the last three years, Italy has me blown away. This Sauvignon is incredible with its light almond and subtle stone fruit nose and flavors. It does NOT have the strong aggressive citrus or green pepper character of many other brethren. Its mouthfeel is broad and round with acidity. It makes you salivate and satisfied! Quite frankly, it’s an outstanding white for this summer and at this price it’s a bargain. Cooper’s $17.99
Fattoria Il Muro 2015 Chianti – Made of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, this opens with subdued black-skinned fruit and underbrush aromas. It’s built for early drinking and delivers ripe plum and cinnamon flavors with supple tannins. The Chianti blend has evolved over time, adapting to shifts in consumer preference and advances in vineyard technology. IN 2006, there was significant controversy when the Chianti appellation laws officially sanctioned the red Bordeaux varieties Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot for use (up to 15 percent) in Chianti wines. Purists viewed this change with a mix of suspicion and regret, while others welcomed the dark-fruit aromas and depth of color the Bordeaux varieties bring to Chianti. Kevin’s Notes: About 18 years ago, I flew to New York and spent three days attending an educational wine seminar. It was an Italian wine seminar by an Italian winery. They made wines from Tuscany, and we spent 10 hours a day learning and tasting their wines. On the last day for lunch, I ordered a Coca-Cola with my cheeseburger and I was quickly scolded by the patriarch wine educator for not ordering Chianti, so what did I do? I ordered a Chianti and to this very day it’s one of my All-Time Favorite food and wine pairings! Chianti and cheeseburger = Heaven!!! Cooper’s $12.99
Matteo Correggia, Roero Nebbiolo 2015 – Roero has traditionally been overshadowed in the Langhe region of Piedmont by its two famous neighbors, Barolo and Barbaresco. It was seen as a reliable source of fruit for lower offerings of Nebbiolo and the home of a quirky yet interesting white variety, Arneis. Matteo Correggia rejected this stigma and almost single handedly elevated Roero wines to Italy’s highest standard, DOCG. His estate, now run by his widow, Ornella, remains the reference standard and most beloved winery in the Roero region and beyond that is one of Italy’s finest producers. Nebbiolo is an important variety in Roero and the perfumed notes from its lighter sandy soils have long been favored by Barolo producers for their Nebbiolo d’Alba. Correggia’s Roero makes the most of the region’s top sites to present a wine that is typical of the variety but also more approachable and enjoyable on release. The wine has all of the floral aromatics, ripe red fruit and brisk acidity without the iron clad tannins of its more famous neighbors. This wine is ideal with the rich Piemontese cuisine and is a great foil for the truffles of the region.
Kevin’s Notes: This is an amazing family run winery. In 2000, Matteo died suddenly in a tractor accident, but family has continued to produce what I consider some of the finest drinking wines in Italy. Cooper’s $22.99
