Today we have another one-bottle post. When I started doing one-bottle posts it was because my husband Eddie prompted me to. We both felt it was an injustice to hard working winemakers, winery workers and winery owners to give the typical three words – a fruit, and then a spice and a mineral – alone to describe a wine considering all of the work going into each and every bottle. So today it will be a few more words about:
The hidden gem of Maremma is a land warmed by the sun, and mitigated by the sea breezes. Vines have been growing here since the Etruscans and today, vineyards expand over 8,770 hectares. Unlike the rest of Tuscany, Sangiovese represents less than half of the total Maremma vineyards, leaving space to other native and international grape varieties, which is where the area truly shines.
Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Ammiraglia ‘Masso Vivo’ Vermentino 2018 (SRP $24) greatly represents the high potential and quality of the area.
My Notes
Marchesi Frescobaldi Tenuta Ammiraglia ‘Masso Vivo’ Vermentino 2018 (SRP $24)
Color: Very pale yellow, with a darker rim.
Aroma: Lots of fleshy ripe peach, sliced honeydew melon, lemongrass and wet gravely sand. It was very appealing.
Flavor: Same fruit as in the aromas with the addition of fruit cocktail in its own juice. A mild acidity and minerality that delivered in a long, wet finish. Due to the acidity I would love this with any pasta that is doused in a creamy or cheesy sauce, with the addition of shellfish or chicken. Also would be good with soft cheeses before dinner and maybe a Key Lime pie that matches the acidity afterwards as a palate cleanser/finisher.
Vermentino is an Italian white varietal I’d like to see more of in restaurants, especially Italian restaurants. The world does not survive on Pinot Grigio alone I say, try something different! So I earnestly hope that this little one-bottle post will get readers to order Vermentino, and if offered, one from Masso Vivo!
Eve Bushman has a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET), a “certification in the first globally-recognized course” as an American Wine Specialist ® from the North American Sommelier Association (NASA), Level 1 Sake Award from WSET, was the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video (over 16k views), authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and has served as a judge for the Proof Awards, Cellarmasters, LA Wine Competition, Long Beach Grand Cru and the Global Wine Awards. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits.
