The summer harvest is over but there are still lots of good things at the farmers market. Tonight we had a vegetarian dinner of fall harvest roasted root vegetables with steamed kale, brown rice and aduki beans complimented with a savory tahini sauce and a zesty ginger dressing.
I found a perfect wine for the meal. You might be surprised I paired a red with a dinner like this but the red I chose, an Aglianico del Vulture (pronounced ah-LYAH-nee-koh del Vool-toor-eh) from Southern Italy, has beautiful soft apple and woodsy flavors that complemented the dinner perfectly.
The wine was Terra Di Vulcano Aglianico del Vulture 2007. It is produced in the rich growing area that surrounds the ancient volcano Mount Vulture in Basilicata. The producer Azienda Agricola Bisceglia is certified by ICEA, the Ethical and Environmental Certification Institute, of Europe that supports fair and sustainable and organic growing practices. That seemed to fit well with the healthy meal we prepared.
While this wine can certainly be enjoyed any time of year I think it is very well suited for fall drinking. It is harvested in October and then aged for a year in steel vats which allows the perfect pure flavor of this unique grape and the sumptuous terroir of the Vulture region shine through.
It has a very soft and approachable flavor that can be enjoyed as an aperitiff or with a wide range of dishes. Upon tasting I got a very delicious apple flavor up front with nice subtle woodsy flavors with touches of cherry, anise even a little pine and spice with mild and balanced tannins. As you would expect from a wine produced on volcanic soil there was also very nice minerality.
Wine Advocate said in August 2010 “Italy's Finest Values” “The 2007 Aglianico del Vulture Terra di Vulcano is rich and expressive in its dark fruit, minerals, dried herbs and espresso. It shows gorgeous juiciness in a generous, fruit-driven style. Mint, violets and minerals add the final flourish.” 90 points
The Bisceglia Estate was founded in 2001 by Mario Bisceglia who left his position in the corporate food world and returned to his land to commit his efforts to producing fine sustainably produced wine. The vineyard is situated in the beautiful district of Lavello on the lower slopes of the extinct volcano, Mount Vulture.
The wine imported to the US by Winebow and is a Leonardo LoCascio Selection which means it is among a very carefully selected group of about 400 wines from the estates of about 75 high quality Italian wine makers.
If you are interested in the region check out the wonderful film Basilicata Coast to Coast.
Aglianico del Vulture Terra di Vulcano can be found at:
Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars
289 Myrtle Ave
Boonton, NJ (973) 334-1331
Jersey Wines & Spirits
492 Jersey Ave
Jersey City, NJ (201) 763-5888
Wine Nation
1016 New Jersey 34 #7
Matawan, New Jersey (732) 290-9950
