Recently Tasted

Here are 3 Old World wines, all better with food than on their own.  The way it should be.

UMANI RONCHI MONTIPAGANO 2009, DOC Montepulciano D'Abruzzo (Italy); #134585; Price: $12.95; 13.0% ABV
100% Montepulciano (organic). Bright purple colour. Aromas of black cherry, plum, and dried herbs. Flavours of cherry and plum, nicely balanced by medium acidity and velvety tannins. Medium bodied, the finish is a bit short but it’s only $13. Good, simple wine for simple Italian dishes, like pizza and pasta Bolognese.

REAL COMPANHIA VELHA EVEL TINTO 2007, DOC Douro (Portugal); #190694; Price: $14.95; 13.5% ABV
A blend of the Douro varieties of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (aka Tempranillo), Tinto Cao, and Touriga Francesa. Aged in Portuguese oak barrels. Plum, blueberry, leather, and a meaty aroma on the nose. The plum and blueberry flavours are outweighed by its chalky tannins and mouth-watering acidity, but a beef or lamb stew would balance that out. Medium bodied.

CHÂTEAU LECUSSE CUVÉE SPÉCIALE 2008, AC Gaillac (France); #198937; Price: $14.95; 13.5% ABV
100% Fer, a regional grape variety. Still purple in colour, there’s a lot on the nose: blackberry, plum, black olive, black tea, smoky, tar, liquorice. It’s the blackberry and black olive flavours that dominate in the mouth. Full bodied with good length. The chewy tannins need to soften…will they over time? Better yet, match it with duck confit or steak with Béarnaise sauce.

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