Tried this Fri night at Pizzeria diAvola in Geyserville:
1. FabioContato Dd'OC: Garda Classico Rosso (14%; Groppello/Barbera/Sangiovese/Marzemino; ZigZagando/Richmond) Az.Agr.Provenza/Desenzano del Garda 2009: Very dark/near black color; bit earthy/dusty black cherry/boysenberry bit licorice/RCCola fairly spicy/dried oregano/herbal quite interesting nose; slightly tart bit rough/rustic strong black cherry/licorice/RCCola spicy/dried herbs interesting flavor w/ ample rough/hard tannins; very long rough/rustic rich/some tart strong black cherry/boysenberry bit licorice/RCCola/dried herbs interesting finish w/ ample rough/hard tannins; needs another 4-6 yrs but may not outlast the hard tannins; reminds a bit of Valtelline Nebbiolo but more high-toned; a bit of Teroldego but rougher/coarser; a lot of Carso Terrano; a rather big/rough/rustic red. $65.00 (PdA)/$25.00
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A wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Groppello is a grape grown primarily in Lombardia, mostly along the SW shore of LakeGarda. The Garda DOC is one of the few DOC's that straddles a provincial border (Lombardy & Veneto). I'd never seen a Garda DOC red before, so obviously I had to take one for the team.
Clearly, Groppello is a variety they should be planting all up&down the coast of Calif...based on this one data point...but..hey...LosAlamos guys can reach profound conclusions based on no data points.
Tom