6JUL07 Ventisei “Rosso” RED BLEND, Tuscany, Italy 2020 (F, O, B)
4 and 6 bottle levels $22 (member price $19)
45% Sangiovese, 33% Merlot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon 13.0% ABV
Eline Aloy, the founder of Ventisei, got the wine bug when she was 26 (hence Ventisei or “twenty six”). Her mother had just taken over Avignonesi, located in Montepulciano. Eline would visit, then later purchase Avignonesi’s grapes for her own label. This is the lightest of July’s reds. It’s not fancy, just balanced and quaffable. Partial carbonic maceration explains the Beaujolais’ish notes, but they lead to a medium tannic finish. Tart red cherry, bright raspberry, pomegranate, rose petals. Stainless steel aging. This is an excellent choice for your summer chargrilled chicken dinner!
Food Pairing Suggestions:
Enjoy this untraditional Tuscan blend with bacon‐wrapped filet mignon over red‐wine mushroom risotto, braised veal cheek ravioli with shaved Parmesan, Florentine steak with parsley potatoes, coffee‐marinated lamb brochettes, duck breasts with hazelnuts and crispy potatoes, grilled lamb chops with garlic and rosemary, Italian‐style beef stew or grilled rib eye steaks with tarragon, shallot and pink peppercorn butter. Hard Italian cheeses like Parmesan, Tallegio, Pecorino and Asiago also make for a perfectly after‐dinner dynamic duo.