piedmont

Moscato D’Asti DOCG – the ultimate dessert wine

There are dessert wines . . . . and then there is Moscato D’Asti. At just 5.5% alcohol, this fizzy, lightly-carbonated wine is the perfect companion to almost any dessert.  Made from 100% Moscato Bianci grapes, this wine has been a hit with everyday wine drinkers as well as trained wine experts (including one of the world’s few Master Sommeliers).

2016 The Vinum Moscato D’Asti DOCG

 

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If you’re thinking, “Oh, I’ve had Moscato before,” we have to point out that this is not just Moscato, but Moscato D’AstiHere are our tasting notes:  Light straw in color with a pleasantly frothy mousse of tiny bubbles. Incredible aromas of orange blossoms, white peaches and rose on the nose. Mouthwatering apricot and mineral flavors. Weightless, vibrant, refreshing.”

Price:  $18.00

For our readers, we are offering 15% off this or any of our wines – simply enter Friends15 at checkout.  Our online wine store is here:  Topochines Vino Web Store

 

Langhe Rosso: Piedmont’s “other” great wine

Piedmont is perhaps best-known for its Nebbiolo vineyards and the famous wines made from them – Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the region does produce other high quality wines, one of which is Langhe Rosso.  Our partner The Vinum winery sources grapes from small growers in Piedmont to produce this luscious wine.

2010 The Vinum Langhe Rosso DOC

 

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This is the third Piedmont red wine from The Vinum that we offer on our site, Topochines Vino.  While the Barbaresco and Barolo are 100% Nebbiolo, this Langhe Rosso is an inventive blend of two traditional Piedmont grapes – Nebbiolo and Barbera.  Together, these two varietals create an elegant, full-bodied wine with an impressive finish.  This 2010 wine is ageing beautifully and certainly ready to drink now.  Here are our tasting notes:  “On the nose, aroma of ripe blackberry, raspberry and red cherry with a hint of vanilla. The explosion comes in the mouth, where it is open, full-bodied, and velvety. The elegance of the two varietals combines beautifully to deliver a strong finish.”

Price: $25.00

We are offering a 15% discount to our readers – simply enter Friends15 at checkout to get the discount on this or any of our other wines.  Our wine web store is here:  Topochines Vino Web Store

 

92 Point Barbaresco!

One of our favorite producers is The Vinum winery in Italy.  In addition to harvesting grapes from their estate vineyards in Abruzzo, they also source grapes from small producers in other Italian wine regions, including Tuscany, Veneto, and Piedmont.  One of our favorite wines is this classic Barbaresco:

2009 The Vinum Barbaresco DOCG

 

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As wine nerds know, “DOCG” means Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) and is the highest designation of quality for Italian wines.  By several measures, the quality of The Vinum’s 2009 Barbaresco is superior.  At the 2017 Decanter World Wine Awards, The Vinum’s Barbaresco received an impressive Silver Medal.  After tasting this Barbaresco, James Suckling, one of the most respected reviewers of Italian wines, gave The Vinum Barbaresco a score of 92.

james suckling 92 points.

An impressive 92 points for The Vinum Barbaresco

Supporting this score were the following notes:  “This is seriously rich and ripe now with plenty of cooked cherry and flower character. Full body, round and flavorful. Plenty of dried fruit, spice and cedar flavors. Long and persistent finish. Chewy. Drink or hold.”  We concur with Mr. Suckling that this wine is ready to drink or hold, and we would like to add our own tasting notes.  Aromatically, the 2009 The Vinum Barbaresco DOCG is sensual and complex, with aromas of forest fruits, sweet red cherries, licorice, mineral and coffee.  On the palate, the wine provides a long and complex finish with a dense structure, good acidity and soft tannins.

This wine features 100% Nebbiolo grapes from the Piedmont region in northern Italy.

Price:  $36.00

Our readers can enjoy a 15% discount on this or any other wine on our web store by entering Friends15 at checkout.  www.topochines.com