Sunday, September 2, 2012

Dalla Terra tasting with Dawn Gaudini




Giro d'Italia
 with
 Dawn Gaudini & Dalla Terra Wines!!
 
 
Another fantastic night with a well versed wine professional!  Dawn (also known as Madonna del Vino) lead us around Italy with some fabulous wines from her portfolio....from Piedmont through the boot and to the heel with Salice Salentino.  We had a wonderful evening as we enjoyed the wines of Aia Vecchia, Vietti, Li Veli, Marco Felluga and Boroli.  When I told Dawn about the wines I had selected from her portfolio (one of which was the Marco Felluga Pinot Grigio) she said, "Fabulous!  We can talk about what real pinot grigio should taste like!"  She is articulate and full of anecdotes about Italian wines and particulary passionate about the portfolio she represents. In addition we had a chance to muse over some Nebbiolo...my favorite varietal. Tar, roses, finesse and power all wrapped into one...Vietti is a standout producer from Piedmont and a true artist of the Nebbiolo grape. The Vietti Perbacco is one of the best made Langhe Nebbiolos for the price...an extreme value not to be missed. The Boroli "Anna", a blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Cab and Merlot is also another outstanding everyday wine for your dinner table under $20.  We finished the evening with Vietti's charming, lightly sweet, refreshingly frizzante Moscato d' Asti...paired with a strawberry tartlette.  Italian wine, with its combination of old World charm and modern winemaking skill, is always one of my favorite subjects. Thank you Dawn. Ba Bene!