YOU SAMPLED a Bold red from

Costa Catterina

The most well-known Nebbiolo region, and for good reasons. Released 4 full years after harvest, 3 of those spent in oak, Barolo is a powerhouse of rich rose and anise aromas and mouth-drying tannins. The paradox is that all of this is contained within a seemingly light wine; coffee, vanilla, red cherry, potpourri, allspice, truffles, tar, liquorice and primordial Earth are all here. Oh, and tons and tons of enjoyable fruit on top of those gripping, addictive tannins. The King Of Italy!

 

PERFECT WITH

Braised short ribs, pot roast, wagyu carpaccio, anything that involves truffles, all white outfits

YOU SAMPLED a Medium red from

Costa Catterina Nebbiolo

A younger and brighter expression of Nebbiolo than you’ll find with the Barolo. Still aged in large oak casks, though only for 24 months, the wine displays more of the tart raspberry and fresh snipped flower scents and drinks with flavors of bright red fruits, cherries soaked in alcohol and liquorice, and a touch of forest floor bramble.

 

PERFECT WITH

Seasoned cheeses, spicy Asian cuisine, Grandpa’s venison steaks, beef jerky

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco white from

l’Espinose Muscadet

Classic Muscadet with a bright, pale yellow color with scents of pear, peach and grapefruit. The palate opens with citrus and lively minerality and the mouthfeel is velvet smooth thanks to aging on lees.

 

PERFECT WITH

Moules Frites, tempeh, oysters, grilled cheese lunch

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Tombacco Pinot Grigio

A warm June allowed for an early harvest with fruit so ripe the winemaker told us “the entire cellar smelt of peach once fermentation had begun.” A vivid green-straw colored wine with fruity flavors of apple, peach, fig and banana. A fresh and crisp white meant to be enjoyed young, with plenty of those fresh stone fruit flavors still mingling around.

 

PERFECT WITH

Tart dressings on salads, citrus roasted white fish, anything dusted in parmesan

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco red from

Sette Aje Frappato

100% Frappato and 100% drinkable. This indigenous Italian grape produces a light bodied red wine with delightful strawberry and tart raspberry flavors and a dash of pretty pink and purple flower scents.

 

PERFECT WITH

Charcuterie, pork chops, poultry, lawn furniture

YOU SAMPLED a Medium white from

Sette Aje Inzolia-Catarratto

A 50-50 blend of local white grapes, the nose is powerful but still fresh with notes of ripe stone fruit and sweet summer hay. The palate brings a touch of grassiness before the fragrant fruitiness wallops you with ripe pear and peach.

 

PERFECT WITH

Freshly caught fish, Whole Foods sushi, pre-game before a hot night out

YOU SAMPLED a Bold white from

Tombacco Chardonnay

Intense and richly flavored for such a young wine. Green and golden apple, a touch of cedar and acacia wood with a tangerine-caramel finish and faint banana note reminiscent of pricey Napa Chards.

 

PERFECT WITH

Speck, cured ham, breakfast, chowders

YOU SAMPLED an Al Fresco red from

Ca De Lion Grignolino

Piedmont’s ancient red wine-rosé hybrid is the perfect chillable red for when the occasion just doesn’t call for white. This cuvée, L’Equilibrista, is exactly that; an equilibrium in wine that manages to balance ripe red fruits with subtle spice and a soft, velvety structure. Often referred to as the Beaujolais of Italy, this fresh fruity and meant to be consumed young wine is what the winemakers enjoy whilst they wait for their heavier reds to age.

 

PERFECT WITH

Salumi, lots of sunshine, poolside hot-dogs, spicy chip-n-dip

YOU SAMPLED a Bold white from

Domaine de la Roche Chenin Blanc

This sweet wine is like raw honey drizzled over the best damn apricot pastry you can dream up. Tastes like it, too, with lemon and ripe nectarine flavors coming as backup.

 

PERFECT WITH

Goat cheese fritters, foie gras torchon, a glass of crushed ice (seriously)