For our monthly wine tasting on Thursday, February 2nd, from 5-8 PM, we plan to do a little of the former while giving you a chance to try a selection of wines, which happen to be the latter, from the portfolio of Wicked Wines. Several of our choices are also perfect for Valentine's Day, which is fast approaching. Don't you need something "Wicked" to drink with that special someone?

 

 

Producteurs Plaimont, Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne "Colombelle" 2004, $8.99 - This wine is produced in the historic Gascony region, a blend of 70% Colombard with 20% Ugni Blanc and 10% Listan, both being native grape varietals. It has a lovely lemon-lime bouquet with apple, peach and melon flavors. This pleasantly dry, fruity white wine can be enjoyed in many ways. It's citrus bouquet and crisp flavors make it ideal as an aperitif, or with lighter pastas and all fish and fowl dishes. Since the 2002 vintage, it is regularly cited by Wine Spectator as one of the "World's Great White Wine Values".  February's White Wine Best Buy - Cases for only $90 all month.

 

La Rampa di Fugnano, Vernaccia di San Gimignano "Alata" 2004, $16.99 - Rampa di Fugnano is a small estate, run with passion by its Swiss owners, who dedicate all their attention to the increasing quality of their products which have achieved international fame in a short time. The producers are convinced that the best results are obtained from healthy grapes, grown on good, unpolluted land, with the use of the absolute minimum intervention. The wines are made with as little interference as possible, in order to allow the characteristics of each grape to express themselves fully, without mixing or adding, in order to bear witness to the authenticity of the San Gimignano terroir. The whole production follows organic criteria. This brilliant golden straw-yellow wine has intense lemon, apple and peach aromas with a fresh, dry harmonious mouth feel. Perfect as an aperitif, as well as with seafood and white meats.

 

Lagar de Costa, Albariño Rías Baixas 2004, $18.99 - The Lagar de Costa Albariño is produced from 100% Albariño grapes that are over 60 years old in the Rías Baixas D.O. of Galicia. The wine is carefully vinified to capture the intense fruit aromatics and citrus-like personality. Perfect with shellfish and Asian cuisine.

 

Château de la Roulerie, Rosé d'Anjou 2004, $13.99 - Built about 1450, this splendid residence of fifteenth century owes its name to the Raoul knight who elected residence there. The house was then known under the name of "Raoulerie" the residence of Sieur Raoul, which gave then Roulerie, its current name. Made from the grolleau grape, this rosé is juicy and fresh simple yet vibrant, with clean berry flavors and a dry finish. Ideal for appetizers and grilled meats.

 

Cantina Colli Ripani, Sangiovese Marche IGT "Mójo" 2004, $8.99 - This lovely wine comes from vineyards located 1000 feet above the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Marche. With southeastern exposure to the sun and a backdrop of the Apennine Mountains, this area has a historical predilection to red grape varietals and is rich with such native varietals as Sangiovese and Montepulciano. Mojo is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes that are hand-picked and the clusters carefully sorted. The result is a beautiful ruby red wine with an intense and persistent aroma of mature fruit, spices, and licorice. The taste is full, robust and persistent, with perfectly balanced tannins, that are warm, soft and aromatic. A fine complement to red roasted meats, game, and seasoned cheeses.  February's Red Wine Best Buy - Cases for only $90 all month.

 

Dievole / Saro di Pietro - Sicilia IGT "Fourplay No. 1" 2003, $15.99 - Dievole Fourplay No. 1 is the first release in a collaboration between the Tuscan estate Dievole and the Sicilian vintner Saro di Pietro. It was estate bottled in the Saro di Pietro Estate in Pachino, Sicily. Each Fourplay is numbered by origin. Fourplay No.1 is and will remain, over its future vintages, Sicilian. One Fourplay will occasionally call forth another Fourplay - each with a sequential number. Each will be a first of its kind. Fourplay No.1 is born in the cradle of Sicilian Nero d'Avola, by the seashores of Pachino. The red wine's provocative name refers simply to the blending of equal parts of four native grapes of Sicily: Frappato Nero 25%, Nerello Cappuccio 25%, Nerello Mascalese 25%, and Nero D'Avola 25%. It is a dark ruby red in color, full-bodied, rich and powerful. This fruit-forward red offers aromas and flavors of blackberries, black cherries, spice and smoke. The palate is lush with soft tannins and beautiful balance. Delivering on the promise of its name, Fourplay provides superb length and richness on the finish. Enjoy over the next 5-6 years with grilled meats, beef stew, rich pasta dishes and aged cheeses. The very essence of Sicilian passion, like hair set wild and free by Pachino's seashore-breeze. A joy to be shared, never imposed. Fourplay--it's good for you!

 

Martín Berdugo, Ribera del Duero Joven 2004, $11.99 - Located in the municipality of Aranda de Duero, between a section of the river Arandilla and the Duero river. The vines have an average of age of ten years The vineyards are meticulously pruned to yield grapes of great flavor intensity. With modern vinification in stainless steel tanks, a wine of deep fruit extracts with great complexity. Plum, coffee and earth flavors mingle in this thick, slightly rose scented red.

 

Liberalia, Toro "Tres" 2004, $14.99 - The name of the winery Liberalia is taken from the celebrations which were held in the ancient Roman civilization in honour of the god Liber, also known as Dionysus in Greek or Bacchus in Roman mythology. During these celebrations wine of great quality was drunk moderately and rationally in such a way that the worries of the soul were freed, thus making it stronger and invigorated, giving it sufficient daring for any situation. This young red wine comes from the present vintage. It has been exclusively elaborated with the Tinto de Toro grape variety and is the result of a careful wine making process involving a step of grape selection. Liberalia Tres has undergone cutting edge technological process and been matured for four months in American oak and fine grain French Bordeaux casks. The result is a complex aroma on the nose and a full bodied tannic sensation on the palate without compromising its fine and smooth personality.