ArPePe, Rinaldi, Sagrantino...

When I have a chance to try many wines at tasting events, it's fun and informative but I might not get a clear picture of wines after tasting so many of them.
So, for this Italian Wine Tasting held at an Italian restaurant Desco in Oakland, I made a mental list of wines I would focus on.

First, ArPePe from Valtellina, Lombardia.

Inferno Fiamme Antiche 2010 had mineral and fresh fruit. Lightest of three.
Grumello Rocca Piro Riserva 2010 had nut and fruit.
Sassella Rocce Rossa Riserva 2002 was earthy and delicate, and there were still lots of fruit. Complex. Tannin was high but soft. Great as I expected.

Francesco Rinaldi from Piemonte.

Grignoloino 2015 had greenness of asparagus or freshly peeled apple skin. Good wine for vegetable dish.
Barolo Cannubi and Barolo Brunate, both 2012. They had apple and quince.
2008 Cannubbio had tree fruit. High but soft tannin.
2007 Le Brunate had characteristics of strawberry, black tea, herb, and cream-like softness. Complex wine.

And I wanted to try Valpolicella Classico and Amarone side by side.
Venturini Massimino is from Veneto.
Valpolicella Classico Superiore Ripasso 2012 had fresh red fruit.
Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2011 and Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2005 were like concentrated dark fruit. Coffee candy.

Drusian Francesco's Procecco di Valdobbiadene from Veneto.
Scacciadiavoli's Metodo Classico Rose Brut from Umbria.
They were very good sparkling wines.
Both were non vintage.
Rose was 100% Sagrantino, first time I tried.
It was very fruit, like freshly grated yellow apple.
I wasn't expecting this from Sagrantino (my image of Sagrantino was full of tannin). Interesting.

Other wines to remember:
Marisa Cuomo from Campania.
Furore Biance Fiorduva 2014 had honey-like quality.
Furore Rosso (Aglianico/Pedirosso) 2015 had black cherry and violet.
Both were very good.

Poderi San Lazzaro from Marche.
Piceno Superiore Podere 72 (Sangiovese/ Montepulciano) 2013 had herbs and black cherry. Approachable.
Offida Rosso Bordo (Grenache) 2011 had soft tannin, herbs and cooked fruit.
Offida Rosso Grifola (Montepulciano) 2012 was decent. Good structure and balanced.
It's said that Montepulciano from Marche is underrated, and I have to agree. This is a great wine.
This winery was a great find at this tasting.



DeConciliis from Campania.
Aglianico Donna Luna 2013 and Naima 2007. Black fruit, dried fruit, sweet spice.

I Favati from Campania.
Grecodi Tufo 2013 was fresh, citrus zest.
Taurasi 2008 was good, too.

Scacciadiavoli is from Umbria.
Montefalco Sagrantino 2010 was definitely a good wine.
Very decent.
Unfortunately, I still don't know how to handle wines with such a high tannin.

Liquore di Finocchietto from Profumi della Costiera (Campania) is fennel liqueur.
This digestive tasted like Anise biscotti.
Their limoncello was good, too.









I can't name everything, but there were many good wines.
And food was great, too.

Authentic and sophisticated Italian cuisine.
I would like to come back to this restaurant for dinner sometime.