I am beginning to think that Italian winemakers are very set on conquering the world of vino commercializzazione (wine marketing). It seems every month there is another contingent of winemakers here from one of Italy's many many unique wine regions.
Like a steady flow of loving Roman Legions they are slowly but surely magnifying their place in the world and luckily for us New York City is one the most important battlefronts. You see, while we enjoy greater access to a broad variety of Italian wines here than perhaps anywhere else, there are still very special wine regions we are missing.
Case in point, the tiny DOC region called Carignano del Sulcis in south western corner of the isle of Sardinia. This week I had the opportunity to learn that truely exceptional wine is made there.
Carignano del
Sulcis DOC we had the opportunity to meet the wine makers, taste their wines and enjoy excellent food of the region at this tasting event at Eataly.La Scuola Grande.
Eataly Wine Director Dan Amatuzzi welcomes guests and introduces the winemakers.
The
event showcased wines by five producers, Cantina Santadi, Cantina Calasetta,
Cantina Sardus Pater, Mesa Cantina Vitivinicola and 6 Mura.
Each winery also
received the coveted " Tre Bicchieri "
award for their wines this year presented at " Tre Bicchieri " tasting at the
Metropolitan Pavilion.
The predominate grape is of course Carignano, a red wine grape that may have originated in Cariñena, Aragon Spain and was later transplanted to Sardinia where it produces very good wine. It is grown elsewhere in Italy, France, Algeria, and other areas of the New World but the wine from Carignano Del Sulcis is unique.
Our favorite of the day was 6 Mura Rosso, Vecchie Vigne. It was hard to settle on one because all five were exceptional, each reflective of the winemakers ideals and philosophy. I am sure your favorite may be different.
We met Corlo Locci and Aru Vincenzo, who along with Flavio Piras, Stefano Guido and Stefano Lampis founded the 6 Mura vineyard in 2002. They shared a passion and love of the Carignano grape and for the region. They have always endeavored and to my taste fully succeeded in producing wines that have broad appeal without becoming generic. They are true representations of the Sulcis region.
Aru shared with me that the grapes and the terrior is very much the same for all the vineyards in the region, but every wine is different as each wine maker had a different philosophy towards their wine. He said in the course of making the wine there are over 100 choices to make. We think 6 Mura has made many right choices. I just hope their wine is soon available widely in the states.
You might ask why we liked the 6 Mura Rosso, Vecchie Vigne the best. Well it was like this. There were five wines, served latest vintage to oldest. All the wines had the a beautiful ruby color, the later vintages becoming deeper in hue. All had the plum and berry flavor that also grew richer richer through the years. All had gentle but evident tanins and a soft mouthfeel.
2011 Buio, Mesa Cantina Vitivinicola
Was bright on the nose and in the first tastes, followed by a touch of clay, almost terra cotta, nice expression of the region. Went well with all the dishes through the lamb.
2010 Tupei, Cantina Calasetta,
Is by design more dry and spacious,a lovely wine but lacked a pop, that Ilike, it was deeper with a touch of rust. It felt flat to me, but you might like it.
2009 Rosso, Vecchie Vigne, 6 Mura
This wine really struck me the most. It has very bright nose and first taste,just jumping from the glass. Subtle in following flavor but nicely complex. This is what I love in a wine.
The 2008 Is Arenas, Sadus Pater and the 2008 Terre Brune, Santadi, were clearly deeper and more flavorful, aging has served these wines well. Sophistication and structure of a truely fine wine.
By the way 6 Mura is imported to the use by Enotria Wine Imports www.enotria-wine.com.
I would be remiss if I did not share with you the delicious food we enjoyed at Eataly.La Scuola Grande.
Insalata Invernale Con Pecarino & Riduzione Di Carignan, Winter Salad With Pecarino & Reduction of Carignano.
Malloreddus con Sugo di Salsicca & Pomodoro. handmade Malloreddus pasta, with Tomato Sauce & Sausage.
Agnellos Con Patate & Finocchio, Lamb With Potato & Fennel
Dessert, Seadas with Fiore Sardo & Chestnut Honey.
The Wines:
La Scuola di Eataly has many great events and classes. Check their calendar here.
Sardinia is wonderful place to visit and vacation see: Experience Sardinia
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