A Wine Lover" s Weekly Guide To $10 Wines - A Red Blend From Central Italy
The Latium region of central Italy, home to Rome, was once a center for fine wine. That was quite a long time ago. But many local producers are working real hard to bring the region back on the wine map. The Cantine Co.Pro.Vi is a cooperative of some 70 growers founded in 1950. They work with both Italian and international grape varieties of all colors and even make a Spumante (sparkling wine). The Castelli Romani area was inspired by wine-making rules confirmed by Pope Sixtus IV in 1477. However the local city Aprilia is a real newcomer. On the sea only 35 kilometers (about 20 miles from Rome) it was founded in 1936 on land reclaimed from the sea. This bottle is a blend of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Merlot. The companion wine is a fine Tuscan costing about eight times as much, ounce for ounce.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed Velletri Centurio DOC 2011 12.5% alcohol about $7
Let's start with the marketing materials. "Tasting Note : Medium ruby/garnet; aromas of raspberry, dried cherry, mocha, cedar, and herbs; dry, medium bodied, moderate structured tannins, fresh fruit on finish. Serving Suggestion : Eggplant parmigianna, chicken casserole, rich tomato based pasta dishes, or braised veal shank." And now for my review.
At the first sips this wine was dark, offering balanced acidity and tannins. But it was short. In the presence of Japanese rice crackers the drink's acidity stepped up and I tasted plums. My first meal centered on a slow-cooked shoulder lamb chop. The libation was longer as it melded with the meat and I tasted some chocolate. When paired with the accompanying potatoes the liquid's acidity became slightly unbalanced. Then I added a generous amount of Louisiana hot sauce to the meat. My glass's contents gave me the impression of thinness.
My next meal involved ground beef cooked with 4Cs: chili powder, coriander, cardamom, and caraway, as well as onions and crushed tomatoes, over quinoa. Our Italian friend responded with refreshing acidity, forward tannins, and some plums. The side of green beans in a crushed tomato sauce rendered the drink's acidity to the edge of puckering and I tasted some chocolate. Poppy seed cake for dessert muted the wine but there were some cherries.
The closing meal was a boxed Baked Ziti Siciliano that I doused with grated Parmesan cheese. The liquid picked up the dish's salt and offered slightly harsh acidity and little fruit. Not surprisingly dessert of Häagen-Dazs Dulce di Leche (caramel) ice cream muted the wine.
Final verdict. I didn't expect much; I didn't get much. Seven dollars is only seven dollars and even with a weak Euro it won't buy much wine in my neck of the woods.
OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste and review are purchased at the full retail price.
Wine Reviewed Velletri Centurio DOC 2011 12.5% alcohol about $7
Let's start with the marketing materials. "Tasting Note : Medium ruby/garnet; aromas of raspberry, dried cherry, mocha, cedar, and herbs; dry, medium bodied, moderate structured tannins, fresh fruit on finish. Serving Suggestion : Eggplant parmigianna, chicken casserole, rich tomato based pasta dishes, or braised veal shank." And now for my review.
At the first sips this wine was dark, offering balanced acidity and tannins. But it was short. In the presence of Japanese rice crackers the drink's acidity stepped up and I tasted plums. My first meal centered on a slow-cooked shoulder lamb chop. The libation was longer as it melded with the meat and I tasted some chocolate. When paired with the accompanying potatoes the liquid's acidity became slightly unbalanced. Then I added a generous amount of Louisiana hot sauce to the meat. My glass's contents gave me the impression of thinness.
My next meal involved ground beef cooked with 4Cs: chili powder, coriander, cardamom, and caraway, as well as onions and crushed tomatoes, over quinoa. Our Italian friend responded with refreshing acidity, forward tannins, and some plums. The side of green beans in a crushed tomato sauce rendered the drink's acidity to the edge of puckering and I tasted some chocolate. Poppy seed cake for dessert muted the wine but there were some cherries.
The closing meal was a boxed Baked Ziti Siciliano that I doused with grated Parmesan cheese. The liquid picked up the dish's salt and offered slightly harsh acidity and little fruit. Not surprisingly dessert of Häagen-Dazs Dulce di Leche (caramel) ice cream muted the wine.
Final verdict. I didn't expect much; I didn't get much. Seven dollars is only seven dollars and even with a weak Euro it won't buy much wine in my neck of the woods.
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