On the Road with the Grape Guy
MezzaCorona and More (Podcast Tie-in)
23 Oct 2023- Details
- Category: On the Road with the Grape Guy
(May 2023) … Another podcast tie-in article. You can listen to our conversation with Matteo Appolonio from the company here, but also see and read the wine notes below.
These wines all come from an Italian co-op winery based in northern Italy’s - Trento-Alto Adige region. Briefly, they have 3000 hectares between 1480 families, that’s a mean of 1.5 hectares per family. These are more hobby farmers than those capable of creating their own label - more on this within the podcast. The company / co-op has been in existence for 120 years, create 220 million bottles per annum and would be Italy's number 9 winery in terms of sales. These days they have branched out from their roots in the north and have created something special in the south: Sicily.
The Wines
Rotari 2016 Blossom Label Rosé 
A Chardonnay / Pinot Noir blend (30% Pinot Noir) that's made in the traditional method and offers bang for the buck. Pretty floral, crisp, pleasant raspberry fruit notes ... All tingle and tickle the tongue and thrill the palate.
MezzaCorona 2021 Pinot Grigio
Referred to by our guest as the "shiest grape in the Pinot family", and traditionally one of the most boring when left to its own devices. This version has something a little extra that raises it from the bland and banal: yellow apple, lemon zest, subtle floral and nice texture.
I will pass on commenting on the MezzaCorona Naturally Light Pinot Grigio - all I needed to say was in the podcast.
Feudo Arancio 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon
Launched September 2023 - #31795 - $15.95
This comes from the aforementioned Sicilian project ... A wonderful Cab from Sicily that's silky on the palate with notes of chocolate, red cherry and black cherry plus subtle tannins... Hidden behind that fruit our notes of vanilla and molasses. Only 10% new oak keeps the fruit fresh and forward ... A steal in Ontario at $15.95. (****+)
Thanks to Woodman Wines.
To link to the PODCAST ... click here.
