by Frank Mangio
Plans are just about completed for the coming together of a leading wine shop, a leading winery and a leading Italian cultural organization in San Diego County, to bring Italy to Carlsbad, Saturday July 12. It’s the 4th annual “Festa Italiana” and the Wines of Italy, in cooperation with the Sons of Italy, Carlsbad Wine Merchants and Salerno Winery of Ramona. Admission is free at the Island Shopping Center at Faraday & College from 10am to 5pm. Scheduled attractions include: opera singing, music and dance exhibitions in full costume, Italian food, art, craft and even a bocce ball booth. Carlsbad Wine Merchants will have an Italian Wine Tasting in their shop from 2 to 5pm, for a $10. tasting fee per person. Call 888-750-WINE for details.
In a typical Italian party atmosphere, a pre-event gathering was held at the Salerno Winery off Highway 67 just south of Ramona. The “maestro” of wine, owner Herman Salerno, who is also an Italian trained opera singer, broke out a sample of his latest releases. He is known for his Petite Sirah, a more concentrated, fruit forward version of the more popular Syrah. But on this day, the big buzz was his venture into the traditional Italian grape-growing area of Piedmont, to present Salerno Barbera.
The Barbera grape is Northern Italy’s answer to Tuscany’s Sangiovese grape, a foundation for the Chianti and Chianti Classico wines. Unlike its more expensive, moody cousins, Barolo and Barbaresco, Barbera is the everyday star grape, full of structure and accent but without the highly tannic power of the other two. The rustic taste shows through, but it is a “drink now,” delicious wine.
No aging needed here. It is the most widely planted grape in the Piedmont district, but here in California, it has no yet caught on. Salerno Winery’s goal is to change all that. Angelo Abril, a Spaniard who has embraced the Italian style of winemaking, is General Manager of Salerno, and even though he has high praise for the signature Petite Sirah, feels that Barbera will be conquering many wine aficionados given the time to catch on. “If there is a red wine for summer, it would be Barbera with its smooth. low tannin entry and slight acidic mouthfeel, ready to pair with a summer salad, hard cheese, olives and a rustic loaf of bread” he said.
The grapes are sourced from Paso Robles, and the Salerno touch in making the wine is what makes this Barbera music to the taste. The 2006 and 2007 is being barrel tasted with 2006 bottles available soon. Contact the winery for details at 760-788-7160. For more information on the Italian Festa event on Saturday July 12, call Joe Zazzaro, chairman, at 760-438-0554.
Red Wine Consumption Can Extend Your Life
It happens time and time again and with more credible reports: red wine consumed in moderation, can lengthen your lifespan through the anti-oxidant Resveratrol. The latest findings came as a result of work with living organisms.
Resveratrol is an active ingredient, found in the grape tannins cultivated in red wine. Health officials conclude that this ingredient may extend life by cutting down on the degenerative diseases of aging. Still another reason to consider wine as the beverage of choice. Drink to your health!
Showing posts with label red. Show all posts
Showing posts with label red. Show all posts
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Coppola Names Latest Winery Rosso & Bianco
by Frank Mangio
After over a year of silence on what he would call his newest acquisition in Geyserville, Sonoma, Francis Ford Coppola of “Godfather” fame finally broke his silence. He purchased his second winery (the first one is in Napa), formerly Chateau Souverain, and let it sit while he thought about it.
The new winery is now Rosso & Bianco. His grandfather from his Italian family back in New York used to make “Rosso y Bianco,” which means simply red and white wine. Coppola wanted to pay honor to his Italian ancestry, so he describes his latest winery as one that will “provide the theme of life with a happy Italian family, where I have provided my private collection of film and personal memorabilia for public enjoyment.” An Italian Pizzeria has been open, with beautiful views of the Alexander Valley, where diners can savor rustic dishes including Neapolitan style pizzas. Visit the website at www.rossobianco.com.
Coppola himself has named his recent favorite wines and none are from Napa or Sonoma. They are: a white from Romania, Feteasca Alba; three wines from Argentina: a Malbec, a Cabernet and a Torrentes; and finally a Southern Italian wine, a “Negromaro, which has a fruity, rich flavor. This wine is where my people come from,” he proclaimed.
After over a year of silence on what he would call his newest acquisition in Geyserville, Sonoma, Francis Ford Coppola of “Godfather” fame finally broke his silence. He purchased his second winery (the first one is in Napa), formerly Chateau Souverain, and let it sit while he thought about it.
The new winery is now Rosso & Bianco. His grandfather from his Italian family back in New York used to make “Rosso y Bianco,” which means simply red and white wine. Coppola wanted to pay honor to his Italian ancestry, so he describes his latest winery as one that will “provide the theme of life with a happy Italian family, where I have provided my private collection of film and personal memorabilia for public enjoyment.” An Italian Pizzeria has been open, with beautiful views of the Alexander Valley, where diners can savor rustic dishes including Neapolitan style pizzas. Visit the website at www.rossobianco.com.
Coppola himself has named his recent favorite wines and none are from Napa or Sonoma. They are: a white from Romania, Feteasca Alba; three wines from Argentina: a Malbec, a Cabernet and a Torrentes; and finally a Southern Italian wine, a “Negromaro, which has a fruity, rich flavor. This wine is where my people come from,” he proclaimed.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
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