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Tag Archives: Italian wine

Time for an Italian road trip

08 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by totalwineandmore in Promotions, Tastings and events, Wine

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Discover Italy, Italian wine, Piedmont, Southern Italy, Tuscany, Valdadige, Veneto, wine regions

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We’re about to embark on a tour of Italy’s most beautiful and historic regions – by way of the wines produced there. At Total Wine & More, it’s time for Discover Italy, our two-week exploration of the country’s wines, with in-store tastings, classes and special deals on some remarkable Italian wines.

Italy’s wines come from all over the boot-shaped peninsula, which boasts a mix of terrains and climates providing ideal conditions for many types of vines. Combined with Italy’s reputation for wonderful cuisine – and the Italian tradition that considers wine part of a meal – it’s no wonder Italy is the source of so much good wine.

Il Pozzo

Its wine regions crowd the map from the Alpine peaks of the Alto Adige to Puglia, in the heel of the boot, plus the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. Some of the greatest wines come from five regions:

Piedmont

This northwestern region translates as “foot of the mountains,” and its abundant hillsides offer optimal terrain for vines. Barolo and Barbaresco are classic Piedmont red wines made with Nebbiolo grapes; Gavi and Arneis are fresh and delicious white wines produced in the region.

Valdadige

In Italy’s northeast, the cool climate is ideal for producing dry white wines – especially fine Pinot Grigios.

Veneto

The Veneto is Italy’s largest wine-producing area, home of the zesty Pinot Grigios and bubbly Proseccos we love. The region’s bright Bardolino and Valpolicella wines are wonderful reds for warm weather.

Tuscany

This beautiful and central region is home to Sangiovese, the iconic Italian grape that produces the famed red wines Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, among others.

Southern Italy

The regions south of Rome have produced wine since the Greeks crossed the seas and planted vines 3,000 years ago. The warm south is a source for ripe and flavorful wines in both traditional and modern styles.

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That’s just a hint of the wines produced across the Italian map. Looking to really get to know a region and its wines? Consider our Under the Tuscan Sun class, a deep dive into the wines of Italy’s most storied wine region, held in our area stores Thursday, June 9.

Or just stop by this weekend or next (6/9-6/12 and 6/16-6/19), when we’ll be pouring crisp whites, classic red styles and lovely aromatic sparkling wines, so you can Discover Italy one sip at a time.

Tuscan Wine Experience: An Exclusive Virtual Tasting Event Featuring Marchese Piero Antinori

27 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by totalwineandmore in Wine

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Antinori, Italian wine, Italy

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Have a question for Piero you would like us to ask live during the event? Post it in the comments below!

Please join us on Saturday, June 13th from 4-5 PM EST (1-2 PM PST) for an exclusive live-via-webcast guided tasting featuring a selection of Marchese Piero Antinori’s incredible wines as a part of our Discover Italy series of events.

The Antinori Family has been making wine for 630 years. Throughout its long history, spanning 26 generations, the family has always personally managed the business making innovative, sometimes courageous choices, always with unwavering respect for tradition and the land.

Today Marchese Piero Antinori is president of the company, assisted by his three daughters, Albiera, Allegra and Alessia, who play critical roles in the business. As president, Marchese Piero Antinori has shaped the company over the decades to be one of the leading Italian producers of fine wines.  Antinori wines are prized by wine lovers around the world for their commitment to the qualities of tradition, passion and innovation.

“As the 25th generation to head the firm, Piero has transformed it into one of the world’s most influential wine companies. Safeguarding his family’s legacy has been his life’s work.”
– Wine Spectator Magazine (April 30, 2015)

Piero will be joining us live-via-webcast from his Antinori property, Antica Napa Valley.

Featured Wines:

  • Guado al Tasso Vermentino Bolgheri DOC
    94 Points, Wine Advocate
  • La Braccesca Sabazio Rosso di Montepulciano DOC
  • Villa Antinori Chianti Classico DOCG Riserva
  • Tignanello Toscana IGT
    93 Points, Wine Advocate
  • Guado al Tasso Il Bruciato Bolgheri DOC
  • Guado al Tasso Bolgheri DOC Superiore
  • Antica Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
    91 Points, Wine Advocate

Tickets are $25 per person. Purchase tickets for this exciting tasting event at your local Total Wine & More location by clicking your local store link below.

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Five Must-Try White Wines to Enjoy Before Summer is Gone

22 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by in Wine

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French wine, Italian wine, white wine, wines from Austria, wines from Greece, wines from Spain

Summer white wine to tryIf you’re like most of us wine lovers who tend to drink more white wine during summer months, this post is for you. Even though I consider myself more of a red wine drinker, I can’t resist seeking out new and exciting white wines when outside temperatures start rising.

My name is Michael Gallo. I’m a wine manager at our Cary, North Carolina store. Let’s take a brief look at five fun and exciting wines that are a must-try before you take down the umbrella and bring in the chairs.

Hugues De Beauvignac Picpoul de Pinet 2012

From Picpoul de Pinet, one of the top villages in the appellation of Coteaux du Languedoc in the south of France, the Hugues De Beauvignac Picpoul is a crisp and refreshing white wine with lots to offer. A light-bodied wine with an inviting nose, delicious citrus fruit flavors on the palate and nicely balanced acidity. A perfect wine for a porch-sipper or backyard get-together. Enjoy with a variety of seafood dishes, fresh green salads and grilled fish or chicken.

Wine Snapshot:
Country: France, Region: Languedoc-Roussillion, Grape Varietal: Picpoul

Cantine di Dolianova Dolia Vermentino di Sardegna 2011

Off the west coast of Italy and south of the island of Corsica is the island region of Sardinia (Sardegna). Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea where the grape variety Vermentino is widely grown. Made from the Vermentino grape, this lovely white wine has a very floral nose with crisp citrus fruit flavors on the palate. Balanced acidity and a refreshing finish complete the wine. Serve with seafood dishes, grilled fish and garden fresh green salads.

Wine Snapshot:
Country: Italy, Region: Sardinia, Grape Varietal: Vermentino

Palma Real Rueda Verdejo 2012

Located in north-central Spain, northwest of the capital city of Madrid, is the wine region of Rueda. This region is known for high quality white wines made from the grape varietal Verdejo. The Palma Real Rueda Verdejo is a delightful example of wine from the region. If you’re a Sauvignon Blanc fan like I am, you will appreciate the flavor profile of this wine. Fresh and clean on the palate, with tropical fruit flavors, crisp acidity and pleasant mouthfeel. This is a light-bodied and refreshing wine with mineral notes and a lingering finish. Enjoy with shrimp tacos, grilled fish and light pasta salads.

Wine Snapshot:
Country: Spain, Region: Rueda, Grape varietal: Verdejo

Winzer Krems Gruner Veltliner Ried Sandgrube 2011

It is well documented in trade publications that Grüner Veltliner has become a go-to white wine for sommeliers and wine and food pairing enthusiasts. Grüner Veltliner is another alternative to Chardonnay and can offer a distinctive spiciness and complexity. A great way to explore the signature grape of Austria is with the Winzer Krems Grüner Veltliner 2011. The wine, with its citrus fruit and floral nose, has interesting complexity and stone fruit flavors on the palate. It is medium-bodied with notes of spice on the finish. Enjoy with lobster tails, cream-based pasta dishes and Asian-fusion cuisine.

Wine Snapshot:
Country: Austria, Region: Kremstal, Grape Varietal: Grüner Veltliner

Greek Wine Cellars Assyrtiko Santorini 2012

Our final stop on this summer whites tour is on the Greek island of Santorini. Greece is the original wine-producing country in Europe, and one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the world. One of the three major white wine grapes of Greece, and the grape used in this featured wine, is Assyrtiko (Ah seer’ tee ko). Assyritko is an indigenous grape varietal and is widely planted in the volcanic soil of Santorini. The two other major white wine grapes are Moschofilero (Mos ko fee’ le ro) and Roditis (Ro gee’ tees). Best served with Mediterranean cuisine, the GWC Assyntiko is an elegant wine with crisp clean fruit flavors on the palate and pleasant acidity. The wine has an interesting minerality to it and a palate cleansing finish. The GWC Assyrtiko is nice introduction to the wines of Greece.

Wine Snapshot:
Country: Greece, Region: Santorini, Grape Varietal: Assyrtiko

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