AGLIANICO
Deep colored, thick skinned grape
native to Campania, but also Found in Basilicata
BARBERA
Crisp with light tannin. Flavors of blackberry and
pepper. These are great food wines and some are world-class.
CABERNET
In Toscana, these are world-class
wines that are often made alone or blended with Sangiovese to produce rich deep
flavors of cassis and berries along with tobacco and leather. Other
areas of Italy produce wines that are at times herbal and thin.
CORVINA
Medium to port-like with bursting red cherry.
This grape is the base of Valpolicella and
Amarone
DOLCETTO
Light and almost sweet with spicy berry fruit.
GAGLIOPPO
Softly tannic, earthy and robust
red
LAGREIN
Indigenous to the Alto-Adige, soft
tannins and low acidity with overtones of blueberries and mineral.
MERLOT
Ripe plum and peppery cherry
flavors. Some rival Bordeaux
MONTEPULCIANO
Medium-bodied with smoky, herbal
red fruits.
NEBBIOLO
Italy’s most noble varietal
is grown predominantly in Piemonte producing the great Barolos and Barbarescos. Dark red fruits interlaced with truffle, tobacco,
rose petal and tar. Needs age.
NEGROAMARO
Rich
and earthy with high alcohol, these rustic wines are full-bodied
with fruit and herbs. Nero d’Avola is Italy’s
rising star.
PINOT NOIR
The best have rich spicy cherry with
mushrooms
PRIMITIVO
Similar to rustic Zinfandels.
Big, spicy berry flavors
RUBESCO
Medium to full-bodied with ripe
plum.
SANGIOVESE
Italy’s claim to fame . High in acid with
firm tannins, spicy cherry, Cedar, mushroom and tar. The best can age 25+ years
SAGRANTINO
Dark and intense varietal from
Umbria
SYRAH
Huge potential in Italy. Full-bodied with smoked
meat, dark black cherry and
black pepper.
TEROLDEGO
Crisp, mediem-bodied and refreshing
fruit driven red. Very exciting varietal.
Wine List Grape Varieties White
Arneis
Light bodied with melon, zests, almonds and flowers.
Chardonnay
Very varied in Italy. Those from the north are ligh and crisp with green apple, tropical fruits and mineral. Those made In Toscana and further south tend to be very rich with baked fruit and heavy vanilla flavors.
Fiano
Finest varietal of Southern Italy, rich and floral.
Gewurztraminer
Crisp but rich with spice, lychee and orange.
Greco
Crisp, intense, citrus, flowers, stone, mineral.
Malvasia
Medium bodied with honey and spice.
Muller Thurgau
Explosive tropical fruit with very crisp acidity.
Pigato
Light to medium, both mineral and floral.
Pinot Bianco
Like very flavorful rich, fruity pinot grigio.
Pinot Grigio
Crisp with lemon, lime, almond, stone and mineral flavors. The best come from Northeastern Italy.
Riesling
Peach, apricot and diesel. Great food wine.
Ribolla Gialla
Delicate floral lemon scented varietal. Makes fantastic wines.
Sauvignon
Lemon, lime, grapefruit, hay and straw. Many world- class examples in Italy.
Sparkling
Winemakers use many different varietals including chardonnay, pinot blanc, and pinot noir. Franciacorta is Italy’s premier sparkling zone.
Sylvaner
Steely, minerally, and petrol-scented.
Tocai Friulano
Similar to sauvignon with lemon, lime, mineral, herbs, and yeast.
Trebbiano
Crisp, refreshing with almond and stone.
Verdicchio
Medium bodied with lemon and salty brine.
Vermentino
Light to medium with earthy flavors.
Vernaccia
Crisp and minerally. Some can be aged in oak.
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