Joe's Winos Wine Club february 2016

Remo Farina

Custoza 2013 Veneto, Italy

The Veneto region in northeastern Italy is the picturesque setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliette as well as home to the lovely and historic towns of Venice and Verona. The Veneto is also the birthplace of Tortellini! The region's wine-making history dates back before the Roman empire with Etruscan settlements on the shores of Lake Garda. The success of Prosecco, Spumante and Valpolicella's Amarone have overshadowed some of Veneto's beautiful native white varietals. This field blend of Garganega, Trebbiano, Fernanda and Malvasia is a wonderful example of the elegant, floral varietals of the Custoza. White flower, candied lemon, peach and wet stone are followed by a
lush and juicy palate with plenty of yellow apple, minerality and a crisp finish.

Pairings:

Light seafood dishes, quiche, spinach and ricotta tor tortellini.

Sparkman

Kindred 2012 Columbia Valley, WA

After two decades as wine buyer and Sommelier for a slew of high end restaurants, Chris Sparkman decided to become a winemaker in the rapidly growing Washington State wine industry. From the start, Sparkman Cellars' focus would be Bordeaux and Rhone varietals. Kindred is Sparkman's ever-changing Bordeaux style blend that showcases each vintage's star varietals. The exceptional 2012 vintage resulted in a pretty classic left bank Bordeaux blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 7% Malbec, 3% Petit Verdot and 3% Cabernet Franc. The nose is abundant with raspberry preserves, rich smokey black fruit and forest floor. The palate is loaded cassis, dark earthy spices and iron. This wine is showing beautifully but like many Washington State wines, could use some decanting.

PAIRINGS:

Roast Lamb with Rosemary and Garlic, old fashioned beef stew with plenty of mushrooms