Winery of the Month – APR 2016
Masciarelli
This month we are heading to the central east coast of Italy, and the up and coming region of Abruzzo. It is here that we have one of the fastest rising wineries in Italy, Masciarelli. The winery was started in 1981 by Gianni Masciarelli. The idea was to prove that the montepulciano grapes grown in Abruzzo could produce wine as good as anywhere else in the world. Today the winery is headed by Giannis wife Marina Cvetic. She is not new to wine having grown up in the Croatian vineyards her grandfather owned.
Today the winery is headed by Giannis wife Marina Cvetic. She is not new to wine having grown up in the Croatian vineyards her grandfather owned. Today the winery has holdings in all four provinces of Abruzzo; Chieti, Teramo, Pescara, and L’Aquila. With over 350 HA Masciarelli is the largest organically farmed estate in Italy. Whether they have succeeded in their stated goal is up to you, but they are definetly close, as they have received over 12 Tre Bicchieri awards, the highest rating that the Italian wine magazine Gambero Rosso awards.
Trebbiano d’Abbruzzo
If you are looking for a light bodied alternative to pinot grigio look no further. Masciarelli makes this Trebbiano completely in tank so it is light and refreshing. Pear and citrus are the main flavors with a slight nuttiness in the background. Great for salads and light fish dishes or sitting and drinking on a warm summer day. Regular $14.99 Sale $11.99
Colline Teatine Rosato – This is a bit heavier and more serious than your typical rose. Composed of 100% Montepulciano this wine shows strawberry and watermelon upfront with a finish of tart cherries. Underneath the fruit runs some flinty limestone and light baking spice. Regularly $12.99 Sale $9.99
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
This wine should be the posterchild for Montepulciano. The wine is medium bodied with light tannins and plenty of raspberry and cherry fruit. Backing up the fruit are some herbal notes and light hints of dark chocolate. Regularly $12.99 Sale $11.99
Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Here you will notice a lot of the same bright cherry and raspberry fruits as in the last one but with a greater intensity. There are also some of the same herbal flavors along with the hints of dark chocolate. There is also some light vanilla and cedar coming from the oak aging. What sets this wine apart is the concentration of flavors. Regularly $49.99 Sale $37.99