| I haven't been able to get a lot of information about | | | | rounder and now its acidity was not unpleasant. |
| Cantine Spinelli, the producer of today's wine because | | | | When it accompanied potatoes roasted in chicken |
| their website is in Italian only. Frankly, I'd rather be | | | | fat, the wine was shorter as it washed down the |
| tasting wine than painfully translating from Italian, a | | | | delicious fat. The other side dish was Moroccan style |
| language that I don't know. This family-run business | | | | carrots with cumin and sliced green olives. |
| has been in operation for some thirty years in | | | | Unfortunately the wine virtually lost its flavor. With |
| Abruzzi, a hopefully up and coming (as has been | | | | dessert, fresh pineapple slices, the Chardonnay |
| promised for years if not decades) region of | | | | bounced back with strong, refreshing acidity. |
| east-central Italy on the Adriatic coast. In theory this | | | | The next meal was a broiled Atlantic salmon filet |
| region has it all, rolling foothills that descend to the | | | | marinated in a nectar made from the juice of the |
| sea, a great mix of mountain and sea air, and a | | | | Agave (cactus) plant. The wine was slightly sweet |
| relatively dry climate. Actually today's wine comes | | | | and lemony. Broiled brown mushroom caps increased |
| from the Chieti zone of southern Abruzzi, not as | | | | its acidity. But in the face of okra in tomato sauce |
| great for wine production as northern Abruzzi. But | | | | with coriander the wine was fairly weak. |
| the good news is that the wine is a Chardonnay | | | | My final meal started with puff pastry and spinach |
| rather than the more common Trebbiano, which is | | | | appetizers. This Chardonnay presented bright acidity |
| rarely associated with fine wine. Today's wine carries | | | | and lemons. The main dish was a broiled shoulder veal |
| the usually non-prestigious IGT designation, which | | | | chop covered in thyme. The wine was moderately |
| suggests that it typifies its surroundings. The | | | | acidic and did not have much fruit. The accompanying |
| companion wine is a pricey Napa Valley, California | | | | tomato, onion, green pepper, artichoke, and jalapeno, |
| Chardonnay that has received rave reviews. | | | | lime salsa heightened the wine's acidity and its fruit. |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we taste | | | | Fruit juice candy muted the wine's fruit. |
| and review are purchased at the full retail price. | | | | Before tasting the two cheeses, I started with |
| Wine Reviewed | | | | schmaltz herring in oil which gave the wine nice, |
| Spinelli Chardonnay Terre di Chieti IGT 2008 11.5% | | | | appley acidity. My first cheese was a marbled |
| alcohol about $7 | | | | cheddar. Now the apples were fairly green. With a |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | more interesting Swiss cheese the wine basically lost |
| Tasting Note: Light lemon color; dry and light bodied | | | | its flavor. |
| with peach pear fruit and very crisp acidity. Serving | | | | Final verdict. I would not buy this wine again; the |
| Suggestion: Antipasto, shellfish, light seafood. And | | | | food pairings were simply too hit and miss. But |
| now for my review. | | | | another strategy is available, given its low, low price. |
| At the first sips the wine was dominated by | | | | You might try it with many dishes and serve it with |
| somewhat harsh acidity and tasted of green (unripe) | | | | the combinations you like. And I would definitely |
| apples. The first meal was a honey and garlic | | | | recommend this wine when serving schmalz herring |
| barbecued chicken breast. The Chardonnay became | | | | (in oil) and fresh pineapple. |