Tasted this with Ruthie for the first time about a year ago when she got it as a sample from one of our suppliers. The next day we both ordered it in and it has been one of our best sellers ever since. The Italian section in Cellars is growing by the week partly down to my love of Italian wines but also an increase in interest from our customers. Whether it is down to Irish tastes changing or more people holidaying there, the market share in specialist wine shops has shifted and Italian wines are up by 50% on the first three months of this year in comparison to last year with New World wines taking that hit , hats off to the Italians...!
... and maybe a few other items if the picture (to follow) of these two brothers is anything to go by!!
Pico and Vitaliano Maccario inherited this land in Piedmont from their grandfather. The former concentrates on the winemaking whereas Vitaliano is on the commercial side of the business; both as equally keen on getting the best from their land and in this case the Barbera grape. This grape thrives in clay soil and with the perfect altitude apparently between 150 to 300 metres, the hills of Mombaruzzo where Pico Maccario is situated is ideal.
We have recently switched from the 2008 vintage to 2009 and there is a much sweeter nose to this dark nearly purple coloured wine than previous. Amazing aromas of cherries, sweet plums and dark chocolate but the palate reveals a full-bodied dry and velvety wine with some beatiful structure and fine tannins.
Myself and Ruth who need never worry about osteoporosis due to the amount of cheese we consume but who both have cholestrol counts which are at dangerous levels enjoy this particular wine with saint augur, brie, aged cheddar, stilton... Do I need to go on??! It is also one of those wines that is so velvety that it can be enjoyed on it's own but also with any rich foods especially Italian - ravioli, pizzas, lasagne etc.
Their whole range carries the same emblem which is pictured to the left and the explanation while a little long winded might be an ideal dinner party filler-inner! So here we go... The shield is meant to symbolise the goblet or wine glass. Roses are a sign of life as they are often used by winemakers in vineyards to alert them of any pests or diseases that might harm the vines. Also in the myths of Dionisus, the god of wine, they used to wear crowns of roses as they believed that roses had the power to prevent the revealing of secrets while under the influence of alcohol. If there was any weight in this last bit I can think of a couple of pals who could benefit greatly from carrying a couple of dozen roses around on Saturday nights! One of my favourite wines in the shop at the moment and on special at €11.99 (Normally €13.99) , very affordable
Till Next time
Clare
CELLARS,NAAS ROAD
CONSUME AND ENJOY IN MODERATION
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