WTN: 2 commonwealths, 2 new grapes

Driving in northern Virginia, it poured on us as we picked up some takeout Peruvian-style chicken from El Pollo Rico. Once we dried out and reheated the food, I opened a bottle of the 2007 Orsolani Erbaluce di Caluso La Rustìa (Erbaluce di Caluso DOC, northern Piemonte, northwest Italy) cork closure, 12.5% - imported to USA by Michael R. Downey selections, Lorton, Virginia. I was quite interested in opening this bottle as I have never had a bottle of wine made from the erbaluce grape before and I had a great informational conversation with the importer about this wine. Upon opening it, my attention focused mainly on the wonderful smell of the chicken, but I noted the inviting smell of dried paint and herbs—definitely a great intro. Once I gave it more attention, I fell in love with it, such a firm grip of a wine with great fennel-type spices, cement and seashells, so light and crisp, yet so firm. The kind of wine I love to drink without thinking about it, yet pine for and mention again and again when it is gone. At $18, a unique wine that is conversational—precisely what I love to experience.

Visiting family in Massachusetts, I went out to the lake for an afternoon to cool off. Just casual snacking going on as I opened a 2006 Picco del Sole Beneventano Falanghina (Beneventano IGT, Campania, southern Italy) synethetic closure, 12.5% - imported to USA by Grappoli Imports, Alexandria, Virginia. Hmmm, the nose wasn’t winning me over as it distinctly reminded me of less interesting coop wines that I have experienced in Germany, kind of a heavy, heavy apple and cinnamon thing. The taste did little more for me as it again seemed heavy with a jellied candied fruit feel, slightly sweet with a bit of spritz. Others were raving, I was less convinced. But a sudden emergency errand came up and I had to run into the city. I return to the bottle on day 4, and it seemed to be singing along a bit better. The nose still basic, but the taste a bit more herbal and floral, but still felt like I had to fight through the wine to get to the wine. This was my first wine from the falanghina grape, and there seemed to be promise, but, to my taste, perhaps this wine was too lumbering in its introduction. At $10, I didn't lose much, but I wanted more.

Interesting wines, I take it the erbaluce is a white grape?

I noted the inviting smell of dried paint and herbs.

That is an interesting description, if I understand you correctly, because for some people 'dried paint' is not necessarily inviting. Is that some sort of volatility? Are you a fan of funky Musar-esque wines?

Interesting wines, I take it the erbaluce is a white grape?

I noted the inviting smell of dried paint and herbs.

That is an interesting description, if I understand you correctly, because for some people 'dried paint' is not necessarily inviting. Is that some sort of volatility? Are you a fan of funky Musar-esque wines?

Lead paint: delicious but deadly . . .

Yes, erbaluce is a white. Grown mainly in the northern part of Piemonte bordering the Valle d'Aosta, from what I was told.

I don't mind a bit of funk at times, but I wouldn't say that's what this wine was. My mom loved it as much as I, and she is a bit less adventurous in her tastes. The nose, as with the taste, was pretty well bound together--integrated and a solid package is how I would describe it.

I don't mind a bit of funk at times, but I wouldn't say that's what this wine was. My mom loved it as much as I, and she is a bit less adventurous in her tastes. The nose, as with the taste, was pretty well bound together--integrated and a solid package is how I would describe it.

Ok, interesting.

I'll have to keep an eye open for such wines. If I can remember the grape name

Keith -

I find erbaluce to be more interesting than nearby arneis. There seems to be more verve in them.

Mark

I find erbaluce to be more interesting than nearby arneis. There seems to be more verve in them.

Very interesting, Mark. I haven't had a whole lot of arneis for purposes of comparison, but this erbaluce did seem quite lively. In any case, I seem to be developing a taste for whites from northwest Italy (to add to my liking of northeast Italy whites).