Nevio Scala Rugo (shown below!)
Nevio Scala Winery is located in the central plain of Veneto, Italy at the foot of the Euganean Hills in the Italian province of Padova. They produce outstanding organically certified natural wines! They do not use pesticides or synthetic fertilization products and avoid excessive exploitation of natural resources, within a model of sustainable development – economically, biologically, but also socially as part of corporate responsibility. They believe their farm is a complex biological organism: their farm includes crops like wheat, barley, rapeseed, lucerne, hemp and beans. And part of the territory is dedicated to reforestation, in an area in which woods have been forced to give way to crops of industrial farming. In order to promote biodiversity in their vineyards they seed green manure between the rows; the hedges planted aside of the vineyards are dotted with hazel trees, elders, blackthorns, sorb, wild roses and mayflowers provide safety, food and nesting areas for useful fauna. What absolute heaven! The Rugo is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and some indigenous varieties like Turchetta, Recantina, Corbinona, and Pattaresca.
- Producer: Nevio Scala Societa Agricola
- Region: Veneto, Italy
- Varieties:Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Turchetta, Recantina, Corbinona, and Pattaresca
- Alcohol: 13%
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Il Folicello Salame Rider Sparkling Lambrusco Rosé (shown below!)
Folicello Societa Agricola is a family-run certified organic winery that has been making wine since 1980. Winemakers Marco and Antonella started winemaking for fun, crafting wines for themselves and close friends and family. They make their wines with hand-picked grapes that grow in their own vineyards, where every stage of winemaking takes place from winemaking to bottling and packaging. Their Salame Rider is a dry sparkling rosé with a fresh and fruity flavor! The vineyards of Folicello are certified organic, free from pesticides and toxic poisons. Il Folicello cares deeply about the health of the earth and soil, as well as the surrounding ecosystem. This makes all the difference in their winemaking!
The main difference between Lambrusco Rosé and Lambrusco Rosso (Red) is the degree of skin contact during the fermentation process, which leads to differences in color, flavor, and sweetness. Lambrusco is a type of red sparkling wine that is primarily produced in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy using several different varieties of the Lambrusco grape, which is known for its high acidity and fruity flavors. This rosé is dry but don’t be afraid of Lambrusco with a bit of residual sugar - they are often balanced enough so that the sugar isn’t really perceived as “sweet”. It should feel JUST RIGHT and is always a refreshing, fun wine to share with friends and family.
- Producer: Folicello Società Agricola
- Region: Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
- Varieties: 100% Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC
- Alcohol: 11.5%
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Cirelli Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC (shown below!)
Winemaker Francesco Cirelli grew up loving the countryside - it was always his safe haven. Today he and his wife live and work at the Cirelli Farms, located about 5 miles away from the Adriatic Sea where they grow wine grapes and olives. Cirelli Farms is certified organic and everything produced on their farm is done with respect to the natural cycles of their olive groves, vineyards, organic horticultural crop fields and animal breeding. Crop rotation, a period of rest for the soil, fertilization and livestock grazing are only some of the vital steps in the process of producing wine (in terracotta wine jars), olive oil, organically grown fruit and vegetables and meat of the finest quality. Francesco is known for his amphora-fermented wines. During this process, the grape skins are softly plunged into the juice, in order to prevent the extraction of the stronger tannins. The maceration process usually lasts around twelve days, after which the skins are separated from the wine and softly pressed. The result is a silky, balanced red wine that is soft and easy to drink. Francesco’s wines are so special, so easy to fall in love with. Notes of blackberry, red plum, dried savory herbs and baking spices. Serve slightly cooler than room temperature and enjoy with fennel sausage or pepperoni pizza! Salute!
- Producer: Azienda Agricola Cirelli
- Region: Abruzzo, Italy
- Varieties: 100% Montepulciano
- Alcohol: 13%
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Torremilanos Ojo Gallo Clarete (shown below!)
‘Ojo Gallo’ is Castellano for ‘rooster eye’ as a callback to the traditional clarete style of the region. Spanish clarete is a type of wine that is traditionally produced in the Rioja region of Spain. It's a light-bodied red wine that is made from a blend of red and white grape varieties. The name "clarete" comes from the French word "clairet," which means "pale" or "light-colored," reflecting the wine's relatively light color and body.
In Spain, clarete is often enjoyed as a refreshing and easy-drinking wine that pairs well with a variety of foods, including tapas, grilled meats, and seafood. It's typically served chilled, which makes it a popular choice during the hot summer months. However, it is worth noting that the style of clarete produced today is not always the same as the traditional style, and can vary in color and flavor depending on the producer and the grape varieties used.
This light, chillable red is a field blend of very old vines of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, Viura, Albillo and Malvasia co-fermented in cement tanks. Founded in 1903, the 200-hectare Finca Torremilanos is the second-oldest wine-producing estate in what is now Ribera del Duero DO (after Vega Sicilia). Pilar Pérez Albéniz, one of the most respected women in the region and winner of the inaugural ‘Ribera Heritage’ Award in 2019, is still at the helm, with two of her sons, Ricardo and Vicente handling winemaking and sales, respectively.
Finca Torremilanos is the first-ever Demeter-certified biodynamic winery in the appellation, as of 2015. They are a little family-run estate that marches to the beat of its own drummer in producing both traditionally-styled and experimental wines!
- Producer: Finca Torremilanos
- Region: Castilla Y Leon, Ribera del Duero, Spain
- Varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Bobal, Monastrell, Viura, Albillo and Malvasia
- Alcohol: 14%