Saturday 5th March 2022: "A Tour of Italy" - with Sally & Peter in Rustington

A full-house had signed up for our second SWAS Tasting of 2022. Peter presented an excellent and varied selection of wines from across Italy. Although most wines were purchased from The Wine Society, two were taken from the now rather depleted SWAS Cellar and one was very generously donated by Christopher.

The Whites:

1. 2020 The Society’s 'Falanghina'; Campania, Italy; 100% Falanghina grape; 13.5% abv; The Wine Society £8.95 (now £8.50)

Falanghina is one of Italy's many native grape varieties. Tangy clementine and peach flavours, this is a lovely crisp, dry and expressive wine. [WS]

2. 2020 Vescovado Guardavalle Calabria Bianco, Santa Venere; 100% Guardavalle grape; 13% abv; The Wine Society £13.50

The guardavalle grape, native to Calabria in the toe of Italy, has produced a wonderfully individual wine with a full gentle body, citrus and quince flavours and a long spiced finish. It comes from two beautiful organic vineyards overlooking the sea. [WS]

3. 2018 'La Rocca' Soave Classico, Pieropan; 100% Garganega grape; 13% abv; The Wine Society £27.00

This is Pieropan’s flagship wine, a benchmark for top Soave and with a well-deserved international reputation. Made solely from garganega grapes. The La Rocca vineyard is situated on the only limestone outcrop and, unusually for Soave, the wine is allowed to develop in 500-litre barrels before bottling. Aromas of almonds and honey. Mineral and rich with salted lemon and green-apple notes and a long nutty finish. This wine will age and develop further complexity if given time. [WS+]

The Reds:

4. 2018 The Society’s Valpolicella Ripasso; Trentino, Veneto, Italy; Corvina grape blend; 13.5% abv; The Wine Society £10.95

A Wine Champion in 2021, this is dark-cherry fruited charmer of a Ripasso, where the wine is ‘passed over’ dried grapes used in the production of Amarone; the extra richness and depth was obvious in the tasting room, where it won plaudits for its plump, appealing, naturally sweet fruit. [WS]

5. 2016 Langhe Freisa 'Kyè', G D Vajra; Freisa grape; 13.5% abv; The Wine Society £32.00

Freisa is an ancient and precious Italian grape variety, with a beautiful antique taste. An intense and intriguing wine, evocative of autumn in the Langhe hills with violet, truffle and sour black-cherry notes that will age well developing further depth and notes of leather and spice. [WS]

6. 2020 Epicuro Susumaniello; Kindly donated by Christopher; purchased for £16.95

Susumaniello is a little-known ancient grape variety found in Puglia. A rich and opulent red. Full bodied, with a deep red colour and ripe blueberry and cherry aromas, as well as warming spice and earthiness. Smooth ripe tannins, a touch of vanilla and toasty oak, and bright fresh fruit flavours which keep going in your mouth.

7. 2016 Chianti Classico Riserva, Castello La Leccia, Giuliano; Sangiovese grape; 14.5 abv; The Wine Society £22.00

This serious Chianti Classico Riserva benefits from a excellent vintage, and although drinking well on release will age beautifully too. Perfumed with cherry, balsamic spice and cedar, the tannins of this Italian red are extremely fine and the length has forest floor and red-berry flavours. [WS]

8. 2010 Carmignano Villa di Capezzana; 80% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon; bought for the SWAS Cellar in 2016 for £17, probably valued at £45.50 now

Capezzana is in the Carmignano region north west of Florence and distinct from neighbouring Chianti. This is 80% Sangiovese and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, aged for 14 months in large French oak barrels. The Capezzana estate has been owned by the Contini Bonacssi family for centuries and this is their flagship wine, representing the classic style of Carmignano.

9. 2016 The Society’s Exhibition Barolo; Nebbiolo grape; 14% abv; The Wine Society £26.00

Super value for a Barolo that's drinking beautifully at the moment but has the structure to last. Inviting aromas of musky spice, red cherry and rose petals then a supple, complex palate with beautiful spiced oak integration and dusty tannins alongside sour cherry concentration and savoury leather notes. A delicious drop that punches above its weight for the price. 93/100 [Decanter July 2020]

10. 2013 Aglianico del Vulture, 'Alvolo', Alovini; Basilicata, Italy; Aglianico grape; 14% abv; bought for the SWAS Cellar from The Wine Society in 2018 for £15.50

Aglianico is arguably southern Italy's finest red grape, and this really exemplifies that. Full bodied with damson and black forest flavours, there is a touch of balancing oak spice and leather characters on the finish. A great, accessible fine wine that could age well, and benefits from decanting. [SW] 2017 vintage is available at £15.50.

The Raffle:

Red: 2018 The Society's Chianti Rufina

White: 2020 The Society's Gavi

The Supper Menu:

Main Course: Lasagne

Dessert: Amaretti and Sultana Cheesecake or Vasetti di Cioccolato

Cheese: A Selection of European Cheeses