V is for Vino - 4th Annual Summer Back Porch Wine Bash!

On a beautiful early August evening in Germantown, friends gathered chez moi to enjoy another wine-centric party.  The theme this summer was "V is for Vino", meaning that guests should bring a wine that starts with the letter V.  The usual suspects included Verdejo from Spain, Vernaccia from Italy (the only exact duplicate making an appearance), Vermentino from Sardinia, and Verdicchio, yet another Italian.  Although my intention was that the grape varietal should begin with V, we allowed a few outliers in an expansion of the theme to include regions such as Valpolicella and Vinho Verde (both red and white).

There were two selections that stood out to me in that I'd never tasted them before, nor was I familiar with the white grape varietal.  They also happened to be my favorites of the lot.  Not surprisingly, both were Italian: the one white, from the Vespaiolo grape; the other red, from the Sforzato di Valtellina region.  See below for further descriptions of these two outstanding wines.

Many thanks to all for your contributions both in libation and food and I look forward to seeing you all next year for another rendition of the Back Porch Wine Bash!  (Sorry I didn't get any people pictures as I was so busy trying to make sure things were running smoothly that it slipped my mind! Catch you next time!)




Classification: Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

Varietal: 100% Chiavennasca (local name for Nebbiolo)

Production Notes: Grapes partially dried naturally for 3 months, losing 30-35% of its weight, then crushed and vinified by traditional method and allowed to macerate for 12 days; after resting in stainless steel tanks, wine is placed in French oak casks for 20 months.

Tasting Notes: a well pronounced and complex ethereal perfume,

 with dominant spicy notes (clove, cinnamon, pepper) and with hints of plum jam;a dry, warm, savoury, austere and harmonious flavour with an elegant quite
persistent underlying taste of toasted hazelnut and licorice

 15% Alcohol

Classification: Breganze Vespaiolo DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)

Varietal: 100% Vespaiolo

Production Notes:  first fermentation at a controlled temperature, between 14-16°C for about 2 months in steel tanks, followed by aging on the lees for about 4 months; after lees aging, racked off and bottled

Tasting Notes: Aromatic, vibrant acidity; notes of pink grapefruit, tangerine peel

Alcohol: 13.5%