City Wine Merchants

Terredora

I received a bottle of 2008 Terredora Greco Di Tufo Loggia Della Serra recently. The producer is from Campania, one of my favorite wine regions and where the Italian side of my family originates from.

As I looked at the label I realized this was not my first encounter with Terredora. I’ve previously sampled the Terredora Aglianico Irpinia DOC Il Principio, a bottle I received from working the International Wine Challenge in London last year, and the Terredora Taurasi DOCG Fatica Contadina. The two reds are both made from 100% aglianico.

I recall enjoying both very much, due largely to their intense ruby red color with garnet and violet hues. There are notes of black cherry and blackberry and plum flavors on the nose and palate, as well as some spice. Both are well structured, and the Taurasi certainly has the ability to age for a bit.

Tonight’s Greco Di Tufo, come from the greco grapes that are harvested in the second two weeks of October. The must is settled and then fermented at cool temperatures using selected yeasts, the producer says. The wine is aged on its lees in stainless steel but sees no oak.

The color is pale-medium gold and the nose displays rich and powerfully aromatic notes including apricot, apple, peach and citrus fruits. On the palate it is full bodied, soft and well balanced with excellent acidity.

All of the Terredora wines have been delightful, and all are quite affordable. It’s a wine I’d recommend to friends, and that I’d seek out on wine lists and in liquor stores.

It’s rare to find a producer with such scope and that delivers consistently. Terredora certainly is one of those producers.

If only it were so simple to find people in our lives with such dimension, reliability and who can repeatedly deliver and please.

City Wine Merchant Selection: 2008 Terredora Greco Di Tufo Loggia Della Serra

A friend and consultant to City Wine Merchant, Krista is a financial journalist with a wine hobby. While covering the European debt markets in London, Krista received her accreditation at the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. Now back in New York City, Krista continues to cover the US markets while working part-time at the Italian Wine Merchants and maintaining a wine blog. Noble Rot combines Krista’s passion for writing and wine.

Jul 11, 2010 at 1:23 PM

Permalink

Be the first to comment on this post

A Ride Through Champagne

I love this time of year.  The sun is out, flowers are in bloom, the new vintage of rosé is here for all to enjoy -- and the Tour de France rolls out on what also happens to be the birthday of our Country and my only son.  Pro Cycling is a pretty cool sport if you're a wine enthusiast.  Its three "Grand Tours" run through some of the world's greatest wine regions every year -- the Giro d'Italia (Italy), Vuelta a España (Spain) and the Tour de France.  Whether you ride or not, Le Tour is thrilling to watch.  The race itself is perhaps the most demanding athletic competition in the world, and the scenery is breathtaking.  There are few things more visually stunning than seeing a Peloton of color gliding through miles of vineyard roads.  It is inspiring in every respect, and it always makes me want to drink wine. 

The 2010 Tour will be no exception, with stages through some of France's greatest wine regions.  Stages 4 and 5 roll through the very heart of Champagne, with stops in Reims and Épernay, the commercial centers of the world's greatest sparkling wine region, and home to classic Champagne houses such as Taittinger and Perrier-Jouet.  Stages 18 and 19 ride straight through Bordeaux's left bank, including St.-Julien and a stage-end in Pauillac, the mythical home of Château Mouton Rothschild and other giants of the wine world.  Because of this great 2,200 mile, three week race, July is a perfect time to feature some of our favorite French wines!

Throughout this year's Tour, we will be featuring some of our favorite wines from the various Stage regions.  To help maximize your Tour enjoyment this week, we are excited to feature one of our favorite Grower Champagne values: Pierre Gimonnet Champagne Selection Belles Annees.  Gimonnet is considered a benchmark for quality in Champagne, and this entry selection doesn't disappoint. This is 100% Chardonnay with nearly 75% from Grand Cru villages. The chalky soils in the Côte des Blancs create wines of incredible focus and minerality. Intensely floral and spicy on the nose, which displays tangerine and pear scents. Orchard fruits and lemon on the palate, with floral honey, and a sappy finish. If you haven't discovered Grower Champagne, this is a perfect place to start!  And it's even better while watching some of the world's greatest athletes ride through the fabled countryside where it is made.  Stage 5 through Champagne will air on Versus in the on July 8, the same day we will have this bottle open to taste!

Jul 8, 2010 at 8:04 AM

Permalink

Comments (2)