The grapes Verdeca and Gaglioppo

There are several grapes that is not so rare but is not that well known. One of these grapes is Verdeca. It is grown in Italy especially in the provinces of Apulia (Puglia) and Emilia-Romagna. These grapes mature late and can get a quite high acidity especially in southern Italy. The wine Talo is made from 100% Verdeca. The producer is Cantina San Marzano and they are from Apulia in southern Italy. The ABV is 12,5% and the vintage is 2018. In the taste I get apple, some gooseberry, minerals and some citrus. A very fruity wine and very interesting.

The next grape is Gaglioppo. A red wine grape that is mostly grown in Calabria. The wine Cirò consists of 100% Gaglioppo. The producer Romano & Adamo is from Calabria. The ABV is 13% and the vintage is 13%. In the taste I get cherry, black peppar with some tanins and a high acidity. Interesting grape worth trying more.

Sparkling wine from France and Italy

Three sparkling wines in different styles and countries and regions. First up is a sparkling wine from Champagne. It is a Moet & Chandon Grand Vintage Rose from 2006. It has an ABV of 12,5%. Vintage champagne is not made every year. Year 2006 had a hot July followed by a cool and rainy August. But when the harvest started it was hot and dry. Then the wine rested seven years on the yeast before being degorged. I let it rest for four more years before opening the bottle. In the taste I get raspberry, spicy bread with good acidity and body. A lovely rose wine which could probably been resting for many more years.

Then going south to Italy we find the producer Ciu Ciu and the wine Altamarea which is a Vino Spumante Brut. The ABV is 12% an it is a non vintage sparkling wine. On the nose I get some pear. The taste is light and slightly bready. Could work as an alternative to Prosecco.

Last is the sparkling wine Spumante brut from producer I Pastini in Puglia in Italy. The vintage is 2017 and the ABV 12%. The grape used for this wine is Verdeca. The taste is of melon, apple and some bread notes. Quite nice and light. Short to medium finish. A nice sparkling wine.

Verdeca wine from Puglia

Verdeca is an Italian indigenous grape to Italy. It is mostly grown in the region of Puglia i Italy. It is only in the last couple of years that Verdeca has been used to make monovarietal wines. I have tried the white wine Askos Verdeca from the producer Masseria Li Veli. Askos is the name that they have given to the selection of ancient Apulian grape wines. It is a good wine.The colour is bright yellow. The taste is very fruity and strong. Very good and interesting. Would buy it again if I have the chance.

I have also tried two more "normal" Italian white wines. One made by Pinot Grio by producer Tenuta Ca'Bolani. It is a good Pinot Griogio. The other is a Vermentino called Prelius from Maremma in Tuscany. It is very fresh and very good.