Thoughtfully posted by John on Thursday, August 5, 2010.
I sell wine for a living and I do my best not to promote the wines that I sell during the day on this site. I try to keep both personalities separate, but sometimes, a wine, an idea or a little of both comes across my desk and I cannot leave it alone. Case in point is a wine that I brought out on the road today. It is made from the Ruche grape varietal and I am not sure if I am enamored by the fact that my Ruche virginity has been lost or the wine is simply as good as it seems in the glass. I think it's the latter because no matter how many times I have had a grape, blend or style of wine, one that is made in such an outstanding fashion always reminds me that I am awake.
Today's wine - 100% Ruche from the Castagnole de Monferrato DOC in Piedmont, Italy. Ruche is something of a backwater grape that hasn't even reached cult status yet as it is overshadowed by Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto. All fine grapes, but none punk rock as this.
On the palate, Ruche screams rose petals, orange rind and a mix of cherries and raspberries. Super fresh and very alive. When I first opened the bottle, the aromatics bordered on cheap perfume, but a few hours later it blew off and now I am left with a wine that sings harmoniously. On the palate, the tannins are moderate with bright acidity and long lasting bright red cherries with hints of dark chocolate and fresh cut herbs from the garden. A drier side of the berry fruit from the palate lingers on the finish as this wine pleads for something to eat. Seared duck, buccatini with fresh basil and Jersey tomatoes or a damn good pizza would pair nicely with this little ditty.
The name of the wine? I'm not going to say - I sell this wine and well, in the words of Walter Sobchak, "Over the line!" This was a lesson, not a sale. However, if you bump into me sometime, I might point you in the right direction.
Happy Thirsty Thursday everyone - the weekend is almost here which means more than a couple of glasses of Ruche with dinner.
*This piece was written while listening to John Coltrane's 'Trane's Blues.' Run, don't walk, to a record store near you and pick up what you have been missing.
Today's wine - 100% Ruche from the Castagnole de Monferrato DOC in Piedmont, Italy. Ruche is something of a backwater grape that hasn't even reached cult status yet as it is overshadowed by Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto. All fine grapes, but none punk rock as this.
On the palate, Ruche screams rose petals, orange rind and a mix of cherries and raspberries. Super fresh and very alive. When I first opened the bottle, the aromatics bordered on cheap perfume, but a few hours later it blew off and now I am left with a wine that sings harmoniously. On the palate, the tannins are moderate with bright acidity and long lasting bright red cherries with hints of dark chocolate and fresh cut herbs from the garden. A drier side of the berry fruit from the palate lingers on the finish as this wine pleads for something to eat. Seared duck, buccatini with fresh basil and Jersey tomatoes or a damn good pizza would pair nicely with this little ditty.
The name of the wine? I'm not going to say - I sell this wine and well, in the words of Walter Sobchak, "Over the line!" This was a lesson, not a sale. However, if you bump into me sometime, I might point you in the right direction.
Happy Thirsty Thursday everyone - the weekend is almost here which means more than a couple of glasses of Ruche with dinner.
*This piece was written while listening to John Coltrane's 'Trane's Blues.' Run, don't walk, to a record store near you and pick up what you have been missing.
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