2022 ChevernyDomaine du Salvard
France | Loire
$22
Producers
Italy is home to so many native grape varieties (roughly ten times France’s amount) that you’d never be able to taste them all in a lifetime, let alone know of their existence. What makes Italian whites charming is that each is deeply rooted in its soil, local culture, and the people who have contributed to their cultivation for centuries. Arneis, which means “little rascal” in Piemontese dialect, is just barely a wine, considering how quickly it goes from vine to press to bottle. Fermented dry, it retains the gorgeous grape must aroma that typically fades with fermentation, giving us a wine reminiscent of ripe pear and gardenias—a quintessential choice for bright salad courses. I paired it with crunchy little gems and endive, tossed with a green goddess dressing and bits of avocado. The dressing’s creaminess matched the softness of the wine without overpowering its delightful touch of spritz.
—Jane Augustine
Wine Type: | white |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Arneis |
Appellation: | Langhe |
Country: | Italy |
Region: | Piedmont |
Producer: | Cantine Elvio Tintero |
Vineyard: | 10 years average, 3.33 ha |
Soil: | Clay, Limestone with Rocks |
Farming: | Sustainable |
Alcohol: | 13% |
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont | Moscato d'Asti
Cantine Elvio Tintero Italy | Piedmont
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.
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
A. & G. Fantino Italy | Piedmont | Barbera d’Alba
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Barbaresco
Piero Benevelli Italy | Piedmont | Langhe Nebbiolo
Guido Porro Italy | Piedmont | Dolcetto d’Alba
Silvio Giamello Italy | Piedmont | Langhe
Benevelli Piero Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Giulia Negri Italy | Piedmont | Barolo
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236
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