SPONSORED: Take the Taste of Summer into Fall with These Two Italian Wines
As the heat of summer tapers off and the air gets a little crisper, I’m always looking for wines that can best serve that unique ‘in between’ time.
The Villa Gemma Colline Teatine IGT Bianco and Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC by Masciarelli are two wines that are bright and fun with just enough weight to enjoy cozied up on the couch, sitting by the lake, or hanging with friends around the backyard fire pit.
Headquartered in the small village of San Martino Sulla Marrucina, in the province of Chieti, the Masciarelli Winery was established in 1979, and produced its first vintage in 1981. Gianni and Marina Masciarelli, the winery’s proprietors, are often credited with having been able to fully realize the winemaking potential of Abruzzo. To date, they have produced 2 million bottles, distribute them across 40 countries worldwide, and are the largest privately-owned winery in Abruzzo.
EXPLORING ITALY’S CENTRAL COAST
Situated in the middle of ‘the boot’, Abruzzo is truly the ideal place for vineyards to thrive. It has a dry climate, sits 2,000 feet above sea level, has access to coastal breezes from the Adriatic Sea, and receives a great deal of sunlight. The hilly terrain allows for the region’s famous black grape variety, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, to ripen fully without any oak aging. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has flavors of black plum and cherry, high levels of tannin and color, and medium acidity.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is the region’s most recognized white wine – a dry, inexpensive selection that pairs well with a lot of fish dishes. According to The Wine Bible, “The grapes behind most trebbiano d’Abruzzo were once thought to be poor-quality cousins of trebbiano Toscana, but it appears that the Abruzzi trebbiano is a separate grape variety entirely.” Trebbiano d’Abruzzo is light in body, with flavors of citrus and stone fruit, and a great deal of acidity.
Both grapes are especially unique to the region of Abruzzo and offer a taste of freshness and bright fruit flavor that everyone will enjoy.
THE WINES
Villa Gemma Colline Teatine IGT Bianco
Over the last year or so, I’ve really grown to love Italian white wines, and this one is no different. A blend of trebbiano (80%), cococciola (15%), and chardonnay (5%), this white wine is perfect to enjoy any night of the week. Pale lemon in color, I noticed tiny little bubbles dancing at bottom of my glass after pouring. The aroma truly takes me back to summertime – fresh squeezed lemon juice, white flowers, pear, orange marmalade and wet rock. But on the palate though? It has a little weight on it, but it still quite refreshing. At $22, I’d absolutely pair this with grilled, baked, or fried fish, rice dishes or with a fresh garden salad.
Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo DOC
When I poured this wine, I was quite surprised at its bright cherry red color. And then I looked up the word “cersuolo” and it translates to “cherry red” – go figure right? This rosé of 100 percent Montepulicano d’Abruzzo Superiore is effervescent with a beautiful bouquet of violet and roses on the nose. It also has a lot of fruit flavors like cherry, pomegranate, red currant, and raspberry, with a hint of chalky minerality. On the palate, it’s almost medium-bodied, but carries bright cherry notes with a short but unique finish. For $24, this Italian rosé absolutely must be chilled and can be shared with friends during a weekend outing and a yummy charcuterie board with salty cheeses and meats.
