BUYING GUIDE - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

BUYING I GUIDE
86
Damilano 2008 Arneis (Langhe);
$21. Fresh, crisp and tonic, this light
and luminous wine made from Piedmont’s Arneis
white variety boasts pretty aromas of citrus and
white mineral. The wine is fun and easy to drink,
especially with summery appetizers. Imported by
Vias Imports. —M.L.
86
Damilano 2009 Arneis (Langhe);
$20. This luminous wine, presented in
attractively clean packaging, opens with inviting
aromas of citrus, peach and Golden Delicious. It’s
an informal, easy-drinking wine that washes down
the palate in a very refreshing manner. Imported
by Vias Imports. —M.L.
86
Donna Anita 2008 Arneis
(Langhe); $15. Donna Anita is a fresh
Arneis from northern Italy that boasts a pretty
mineral characteristic backed by light fruit
touches of citrus and peach. Imported by Saranty
Imports. —M.L.
CORTESE
87
La Scolca 2007 Black Label (Gavi);
$50. La Scolca’s Black Label Gavi presents
refined and elegant tones of peach, dried
apricot, honey and white almond. The wine rests
on the lees in order to absorb more complexity
and texture. Imported by Frederick Wildman &
Sons, Ltd. —M.L.
87
Mauro Sebaste 2009 Cortese
(Gavi); $19. This is a luminous and
clean white wine from northern Italy that offers
fresh notes of citrus, green melon, kiwi and
honey. The wine is sharp and focused in the
mouth with an extremely pristine finish.
Imported by Total Wine & More. —M.L.
87
Tenuta La Marchesa 2008 Cortese
(Gavi); $19. In beautiful Tenuta La
Marchesa is a palace from the 1700s often used in
film and for weddings, but it is especially known
for its production of Gavi white wine. This light
and luminous Cortese-based wine is indeed special
with light, fragrant floral touches and a delicate
personality overall. Imported by Saranty
Imports. —M.L.
86
La Scolca 2007 White Label (Gavi);
$23. Here’s a Cortese-based white wine
that rests on the lees for extra texture and richness.
The wine is redolent of peach, apricot,
honey and exotic fruit. It feels fresh and linear
on the close. Imported by Frederick Wildman &
Sons, Ltd. —M.L.
86
Michele Chiarlo 2009 Le Marne
Cortese (Gavi); $19. This luminous
Gavi offers mineral notes of graphite and talc
powder backed by fruity tones of peach and citrus.
The wine is smooth and silky on the close
and would pair with seafood or tuna salad.
Imported by Kobrand. —M.L.
86
Michele Chiarlo 2008 Le Marne
Cortese (Gavi); $19. A drying mineral
tone backed by stone fruit and citrus gives this
wine balance and a pristine quality in the mouth.
It’s light, compact and would make a perfect
match to salty dishes or fried appetizers.
Imported by Kobrand. —M.L.
86
Ricossa 2009 Cortese (Gavi); $17.
Here’s a light and luminous Gavi that
would make an excellent pairing partner to
bruschetta or sliced ham on toasted bread. Crisp,
tonic and fresh, the wine is loaded tight with citrus
and stone fruit aromas. Imported by Touchstone
Wines. —M.L.
86
Tenuta Olim Bauda 2009 Gavi di
Gavi; $20. There is a pristine mineral
note that runs straight through the middle of this
crisp Gavi di Gavi from northern Italy. The wine
is easygoing and exceeding fresh with a sharp,
crisp close and light consistency. Imported by US
Wine Imports. —M.L.
84
Vinchio-Vaglio Serra 2008 Cantina
Tre Serre Cortese (Piedmont); $11.
Here’s an easy white wine with crisp citrus and
mineral tones backed by a clean, pristine feel.
The wine doesn’t offer much heft or thickness,
and for this reason it is best paired with
light foods or salads. Imported by Bon Vivant
Imports. —M.L.
OTHER WHITE WINES
86
Orlando Abrigo 2009 Très
Chardonnay (Langhe); $NA. This
luminous Chardonnay from the Langhe area of
northern Italy is a focused and precise wine that
delivers loads of mineral intensity. You’ll get
talc powder and white stone backed by peach
and citrus. It’s crisp and tonic with informal,
4 0 | W I N E E N T H U S I A S T | D E C E M B E R 1 , 2 0 1 0
food-friendly appeal. Imported by Ionia
Atlantic. —M.L.
85
Giacomo Vico 2009 Favorita
(Langhe); $12. Aged only in stainless
steel, this fresh white wine (made with the local
Favorita grape) offers crisp layers of citrus, stone
fruit and white mineral. The wine is lean and
compact but tastes refreshing nonetheless.
Imported by Total Wine & More. —M.L.
85
Orlando Abrigo 2009 D’Amblè
Sauvignon (Langhe); $NA. Here’s
a crisp, mineral-driven Sauvignon from northern
Italy with background aromas of peach, honeydew
melon and white peach. The wine shows
medium consistency and good staying power
with a dry, crisp finish. Imported by Ionia
Atlantic. —M.L.
PIEDMONT
SPARKLING
WINES
MOSCATO
89
Contratto 2006 De Miranda
(Moscato d’Asti); $90. This is not
your standard Moscato d’Asti. This sophisticated
expression benefits from high density planting in
the vineyard and the fruit is fermented in special
French barrique for extra creaminess. On the
nose, this sparkling dessert wine is redolent of
apricot, pineapple and honey. Imported by Bedford
International. —M.L.
87
Ceretto 2009 I Vignaioli di Santo
Stefano (Moscato d’Asti); $24.
Moscato d’Asti is such a wonderfully delicious
wine and this expression from the folks at Ceretto
offers sweet aromas of honey, peach blossom,
white flower and acacia. The soft foaming feels
lush and creamy in the mouth and those sweet
honey flavors leave a lasting impression.
Imported by Wilson Daniels Ltd. —M.L.
86
Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi
di Gresy 2009 La Serra (Moscato
d’Asti); $16. Always a favorite in the world of
Moscato d’Asti, this light and luminous dessert
wine offers especially clean aromas of honey,
melon, peach and white flower. The bubbles offer