Back in the Spring I had a quick trip to Boston for a preview tasting of Italian wines from the great importer Neil Empson. The range of wines offered by Empson can be daunting, but this tasting is known as their Annual BBB tasting- Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello. The idea is that you taste the all of the wines from the producers who make those big three. You taste in the Spring, place your order and receive them right around Labor Day. I will report on the 2015 Barolo’s that I tasted and Table & Vine is offering in another post, but this is about this really fun couple of wines that had me thinking of Autumn.
My kids are grown now, off to college, but I remember back to those Fall days when after work was occupied with standing by a soccer field, the dew would set in and the temperature would drop. My wife is a great planner and often she would plan a meal around the slow cooker or maybe stay home from the game and roast a chicken and some root veggies, in addition to planning she has a great affection for comfort foods. Those first few sips of wine with dinner on those cool Fall evenings was always so welcome.
Founded in 1950 Cascina Bongiovanni is a winery we have bought a lot from over the past few years, they display classic Piedmont character with a little more friendly approach to drinking the wines when you buy them. The bigger wines do age well, but Giovanni Bongiovanni (what a name!) wants the wine to be enjoyable.
In their words- “It is the Bongiovanni philosophy to follow every stage of the winemaking process, from vineyard management to packaging. We painstakingly select only the finest grapes to make sure only the finest possible wine makes it to the shelf.”
Bongiovanni Arneis 2018- $17.99 this fun and floral white has richness and a lovely earth tone to the fruit, featuring pear and dried herbs. It’s a delicious wine and a textbook example of Arneis. It’s a great wine, consider it a Chardonnay alternative, and a match for creamy pasta dishes, poultry (especially herb-laden), and take-out Chinese. You’ll love this when you try it.
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Bongiovanni Dolcetto d’Alba 2017- $17.99 This is picture perfect Dolcetto, exactly what the grape is supposed to make in Piedmont. Floral, bright and loaded with fruit and boyish charm, this wine is an easy fave. I love the way the finish turns drier as you sip and the clean food-friendly quality. Begging for a roast chicken.
“Bracken, morello cherries and elderberry tart. Medium body, bright acidity and a fruity finish. Drink now. 90 points” – James Suckling
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