Produced in the classic 'colfondo' style, meaning the wines are fermented in-bottle, with no disgorgement, fining or filtration - these wines are a cloudy, low-intervention nod to the Prosecco wines of yesteryear. Based on a combo of the classic Prosecco grape, Glera, as well as its long-forgotten cousins in Bianchetta, Perera and Verdiso, the individual monikers refer to the height of their respective vineyards. The lowest vineyards (280slm) are home to the oldest vines, with grapes seeing less maceration; as one heads upward, vine age decreases and maceration times increase - the premise being, the older the vine, the less skin contact required to draw out the vines character.
In a nutshell, these wines pack an infinite amount of character and complexity, especially at such a reasonable pricepoint, and especially considering how forgettable (and often downright trashy) mass-market, commercial Prosecco wines can be -this is what makes them so special! These are not wines that are 'grassy' - they're wines that smell like you're lying in a gosh darn meadow in the middle of spring, wild flowers and herbs scatching at your face. It's too simplistic to say they're 'stone' or 'citrus' fruit driven - they're wines that make you feel that you've wandered into an abandoned orchard of both - right as they're flowering. Screw minerality - these thinks transport your too the cool, dark bowels of a limestone quarry.
They're dry, they're elegant, they're lengthy, they're cerebral, they're rustic, they're challenging, they're delicious... They're some of the best bottle fermented wines we carry in the store. Period.
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'MOZ' BIANCO FRIZZANTE, 2018
$26 (10% off = $23.40)
A new release to US soils, the 'Moz' is a combo of predominantly Moscato Gialla with a smaller portion of Glera - low ABV (10.5%), bone dry and aromatic as all get out! Like sticking your head in a batch of fermenting tangerines drenched in sea salt and lightly sprinkled with Turkish rosewater. (ONLY 12 BOTTLES AVAILABLE!)
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We're #blessed to have been bestowed one of the few 6-packs of this juicy, large-format slugger to have made it to the west coast. 2 liters (yes, 2 whole liters) of bright and easy Veneto sunshine in a big ol' bottle, the Vino da Tavola is a laid back amalgamation of Merlot, Refosco, Cab Franc and Raboso (we think?) perfectly primed as the ultimate party favor. Unabashedly easy going and fresh, this will make for a killer Thanksgiving table bottle. (ONLY 6 BOTTLES AVAILABLE!)
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GET 'EM FOR LESS!
From now through until Monday, 10/21 we will be offering a 10% discount to our regular readers, and a 15% discount to our Biondivino Wine Club Members! Regular readers, use the discount code COSTADILA at checkout to receive the deal, Wine Club Members, use the discount code COLFONDO.
ALL WINES OFFERED TODAY ARE DONE SO ON A PRE-ORDER BASIS. ALL PURCHASES WILL BE READY FOR STORE PICK UP OR DELIVERY FROM FRIDAY 10/25.
*No additional discounts can be applied. Any orders from non-Wine Club Members using the Wine Club discount will be rendered void and refunded immediately.
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SF Importer Tasting: Andrea Occhipinti (Lazio) & Ancarani (Emilia Romagna)
Friday, October 18th: 6-8pm
SAN FRANCISCO
$15 TASTING FEE (waived for Wine Club members)
A Friday night double header with wines from two producers that share nothing in the way of geography and terroir, but plenty when it comes to their ethos toward farming and wine. While no relation to Arianna, Andrea Occhipinti plies his trade on the shores of Lazio's Lago Bolseno with an equally low-interventionist attitude, focusing his efforts on producing killer expressions of local oddballs in Aleatico and Grechetto. To the north, and on the Romagna side of Emilia Romagna, Claudio Ancarani his too built himself a reputation around the revival of a handful of local rarities. In most cases Claudio has been led to what are thought to be some of the last remaining plantings on the planet of the varietals he now champions (Famoso, Albanna, Centesemino) and today turns out super fresh and distinctive wines that will make you very, very glad that he went to all that trouble. 5 wines.
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SF Winemaker Tasting: Ronchi di Cialla (Friuli)
Friday, October 25: 6-8pm
SAN FRANCISCO
$15 TASTING FEE (waived for Wine Club members)
The tale of Friuli's rarely seen red varietals is one that seems all too familiar to lovers of obscure Italian grapes - driven to the brink of extinction through the constant onslaught of disease, as well as the ravages of two world wars in the region, many of the region's red varetals seemed destined to the annals of history. Enter Dina and Paolo Rapuzzi, a couple fiercely determined to revive many of their homeland’s now forgotten varietals. In fact, the founding of their Ronchi di Cialla estate was based almost solely on the discovery and identification of the last known remaining vines of Schioppettino (around 50 plants.) Today, the couple and their children have become bastions for a movement that has seen an ever increasing amount of local producers turn their hand to creating wines that place their native treasures back in their rightful spotlight. Dina and Paolo's son, Ivan Rapuzzi, now the spearhead of the estate, will be speak to a cracking line up of classic Friulian beauties! 5 wines.
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SF Importer Tasting: Podere Casaccia (Toscana) & Etnella (Sicilia) w/ The Soil Expedition Co.
Tuesday, October 29th: 6-8pm
SAN FRANCISCO
$15 TASTING FEE (waived for Wine Club members)
Podere Casaccia is stewarded by Roberto Moretti, a former physician (and a man known in local wine circles as ‘Il Dottore’) and his wife Lucia. Called to rescue an abandoned plot of vines at the greater Chianti zone’s northern edge, he has subsequently been turning out completely unsulphured gems from his biodynamically farmed vineyards of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Malvasia Nera and Trebbiano.
Davide Bentivegna is a force to be reckoned with and one of the most passionate voices for the return of natural viticulture on Etna. As Davide set about pursuing his passion in wine, returning to his native Etna, the locals learned of his desire to save these old vineyards and the old ways of growing, making more and more land available to him. And Davide stands behind his commitment to help keep the land whole and natural even paying when there is no production during poor vintages.
We'll have brand spanking new arrivals on-hand from both producers and the handsome lads from Soil Expedition Co. will be on hand to pour juice and talk smack. 6 wines.
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CANTEEN MEATS x BIONDIVINO x LAMBRUSCO
Friday, November 1: 6-8pm
SAN FRANCISCO
$15 TASTING FEE (waived for Wine Club members)
North Bay meat curing phenom John Ginanni of Canteen Meats will be in the house to hawk his meaty wares and discuss all things meat curing, salumi, and sustainability. We will be pairing a line up of killer Lambrusco and other fizzy red offerings.
This will be a ticketed event with limited availability. Tickets and details TBD!
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