Please join
us this Friday (5:30-7:30) and Saturday (4:30-6:30) for our FREE weekly
tastings. This week Charles and the Vino staff will be pouring six wines from
Lazio.
For more information on this and other events at Vino, please email events@vinosite.com.
Lazio is known for Frascati but what people don't realize is that it is one
of the best places to grow French varietals. These red varietals, basically,
Cabernet and Merlot, in my opinion, do better in Lazio than in any other part
of Italy and even better than in some places where they are the native
grapes.
One of these is the Colli Picchioni from Paola di Mauro, which is Cabernet,
Merlot, and perhaps a little bit of Cesanese. This is a classic wine that can
age very well. I have been to the winery a number of times and every time I
go there, her son Armando, who I believe still owns a restaurant in Roma,
opens up a 1985 Colle Picchioni, which is always spectacular. Paola gives
cooking lessons at the estate and for lunch always makes fried, breaded lamb
chops, which go very well with the 1985 Colle Picchioni.
Another one of my favorites is the Quattro Mori, made from four French red
varietals: Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The wine is
called Quattro Mori (or "Four Moors") not because it is made from
four grapes but because the ancestor of the present owner was a commander in
the battle of Lepanto (1571) where the Italians defeated the forces of the
Sultan. The commander brought four Moors back to the town of Marino (Lazio)
with him and a fountain with their likeness was erected in the town square to
commemorate the victory (in the sculpture, they are supporting the fountain).
From the dining from of the winery, one can see St. Peter's and the lights of
Roma at night. This is a wonderful wine, which has that leathery flavor with
a lot of fruit. It is a wine that could probably be enjoyed now but that will
also age gracefully. We'll also be tasting two white
wines from the same producer, Castel de Paolis.
This Friday and Saturday, we'll also be tasting a
new wine, the Rosso del Frusinate by Casale della Ioria. Some of you may know
the 100% Cesanese that this winery makes. When I was in Roma, I had the
Cesanese with my favorite dish, which is lamb. I don't remember if it was
grilled, roasted, or fried, but it was a great combination. Even though it is
very difficult to find in this country, Casale della Ioria's wines are very
popular in Roma. The Rosso del Frusinate is made from Cabernet, Merlot, and Cesanese.
So when in Roma, do what the Romans do, drink wine that's made just outside
of Roma and from the Castelli Romani.
--Charles Scicolone, Wine Director, I Trulli and Vino
Charles would love to hear from you: please email him at charles@vinosite.com.
