2019 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore “Capovolto”La Marca di San Michele
Italy | Le Marche
$27
Producers
The Piemontese are known for being guarded people, and indeed many tastings begin with timid apprehensiveness as your host sizes you up. Not Marco Tintero: he always wears a big grin and exudes boisterous warmth—not so Piemontese, you might think, until entering his home to see the table clad with his lineup of traditional wines and the culinary staples that go with, like grissini, tajarin, and even at times the prized tartufo bianco. This red, composed mainly of Barbera, Nebbiolo, and Dolcetto, shares Marco’s easygoing and accessible personality. Pair it with anything from breadsticks to truffles, or just pop, pour, and glug away.
—Anthony Lynch
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2019 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | 50% Barbera, 40% Dolcetto, 5% Nebbiolo, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Cantine Elvio Tintero |
Winemaker: | Marco Tintero |
Vineyard: | 15 year average, 1 ha |
Soil: | Clay |
Aging: | Seven or eight months in stainless steel before bottling |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 12.5% |
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.
Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.
Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.
Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.
Bèrto Italy | Piedmont
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Tenuta La Pergola Italy | Piedmont | Monferrato Rosso
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe Nebbiolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Il Palazzotto Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto di Diano d’Alba
Trust the great winemakers, trust the great vineyards. Your wine merchant might even be trustworthy. In the long run, that vintage strip may be the least important guide to quality on your bottle of wine.—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
Many food and beverage cans have linings containing bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause harm to the female reproductive system. Jar lids and bottle caps may also contain BPA. You can be exposed to BPA when you consume foods or beverages packaged in these containers. For more information, go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/bpa