6APR06 Tentua Santa Caterina “Arlandino” GRIGNOLINO, Grignolino d’Asti, Piedmont, Italy 2020 (F, O)
4 and 6 bottle levels $25 (member price $22)
100% Grignolino 13.0% ABV
A Benedictine Abby (961 AC) sits on the ancient Tenuta Santa Caterina estate, where agricultural is documented as far back as 1737. This family owned winery is in the village of Grazzano Badoglio, northeast of the town of Asti. According to google maps, it’s a 40 minute drive from Tenuta Ronzano, the sparkler listed just before this wine. Grignolino is an ancient Piedmontese variety, prized for its spicy perfume and light to medium body. Tingling acidity, red raspberry, red cherry, violets, whiff of white pepper. Aged in stainless steel. You may be asking WTF with all the Piedmont wines this month? While I strive to offer variety, last minute deals can drop in my lap, and taking advantage can offer members the best value. These Piedmont wines are diverse (full-bodied white, fruit forward sparkling, lighter spicy red, and a traditional Langhe Nebbiolo from a baller producer).
Food Pairing Suggestions:
This lively, fruity red is just as delightfully enjoyed served chilled as an aperitif or paired with pumpkin tortellini with sage and brown butter, classic Vitello Tonnato, crispy fried chicken, spaghetti with clams, rice noodles with prawns and vegetables, crispy veal cutlets with parmesan herb risotto, four cheese ravioli with pesto sauce, spaghetti carbonara, tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms, chicken Marsala, Neapolitan pizza, Mediterranean naan flatbread pizza, sesame orange salmon with with truffle risotto, cod in coconut cream over white rice, and shrimp pesto pasta. Or simply savor a glass with homemade cheese fondue with all the accoutrements.