2015 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru “Les Chalumaux”Comtesse de Chérisey
France | Burgundy
$120
Producers
This frizzante white isn’t widely known outside of its native Emilia-Romagna, probably because the locals are drinking it all up. It’s tart and juicy like a fresh mandarin, with invigorating acidity ideally suited to cut through the region’s signature Parmigiano-Reggiano and prosciutto di Parma. That’s probably not a coincidence.
—Dustin Soiseth
Wine Type: | sparkling |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Pignoletto |
Appellation: | Pignoletto dell’Emilia |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Emilia-Romagna |
Producer: | Fattoria Moretto |
Winemaker: | Altariva Family |
Vineyard: | 30 years, 0.5 ha |
Soil: | Sandy Clay |
Farming: | Organic (certified) |
Alcohol: | 12% |
Fattoria Moretto Italy | Emilia-Romagna | Pignoletto dell’Emilia
Fattoria Moretto Italy | Emilia-Romagna | Emilia-Romagna
Primarily dominated by the expansive plains of the Po Valley, Emilia-Romagna—a diagonal band stretching from Piacenza in the north all the way to Rimini in the southeast—also features a long span of Apennine Mountains and foothills, at the base of which lie its major cities such as Parma, Modena, and Bologna along the historic Via Emilia. While the flatlands are home to some viticulture, the Apennines provide elevation and ventilation in contrast with the hot, humid, stagnant valley below, in addition to poor, well-draining soils favorable to the production of more serious wines.
Given the rich local cuisine that relies heavily on lard, cheese, and fatty meats like pork, Emilia-Romagna is first and foremost a land of fizzy wines. These light frizzanti have the acidity to cut through fat along with a palate-cleansing sparkle. Most important is the indigenous red Lambrusco, a family of grapes whose wines brilliantly complement flavorful dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini al brodo, or simple antipasti of local meats and cheeses like prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, and parmigiano reggiano (if you’re lucky, drizzled with traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena).
While Lambrusco’s image suffered in the past because of mass-produced sweet versions, small producers today are crafting traditional, terroir-driven dry wines that are absolutely mouth-watering. These jovial, food-friendly quaffers are right at home in the KLWM portfolio.
Fattoria Moretto Italy | Emilia-Romagna | Emilia-Romagna
Fattoria Moretto Italy | Emilia-Romagna | Pignoletto dell’Emilia
Castagnoli Italy | Tuscany | Chianti Classico Riserva
Giuseppe Quintarelli Italy | Veneto | Recioto della Valpolicella
Deperu Holler Italy | Sardinia | Isola dei Nuraghi
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria | Colline Savonesi
Giuseppe Quintarelli Italy | Veneto | Veneto IGT
Vignai da Duline Italy | Friuli | Delle Venezie
Punta Crena Italy | Liguria | Riviera Ligure di Ponente
Sesti Italy | Tuscany | Toscana IGT
Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch
Drinking distilled spirits, beer, coolers, wine and other alcoholic beverages may increase cancer risk, and, during pregnancy, can cause birth defects. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/alcohol
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