We had these two new Scarpa Reds at our Pig+Fig tasting this week:
1. Scarpa Dd'OC: Verduno Pelaverga (13.5%; Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa/Miami/FL) Nizza Monferrata 2024: Light almost rose color; very fragrant/aromatic very floral/strawberry/Pela light pencilly/oak very pretty nose; lightly tart very perfumed/strawberry/Pela light pencilly/oak rather lightweight brisk/delicate totally dry flavor w/ light/tangy tannins; vry long/lingering highly strawberry scented finish that tracks flavor; a very pretty scented expression of Pela at a fair price. $30.00 (KK)
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2. Scarpa Dd'OC: Monferrata Freisa (14.0%; 3266 btls) 2021: Fairly dark color; very floral/Freisa/violets/lilacs some toasty/oak slight earthy rather aromatic/fragrant/perfumed nose; rather tart/tannic/rugged quite floral/lilacs/Freisa rather bracing/tart structured bit rugged flavor w/ some astringent tannins; lots of floral character but fairly savory/structured bit rugged charactor that needs several yrs of age yet; a quite good bit rugged expression of Freisa. $30.00 (KK)
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More skittlefurt from TheBloodyPulpit:
1. Pelaverga is a rare/indigenous grape in the Piemonte that produces light-weight highly scented wines. This example was one of the better ones I've had. Alas, the plantings of Pelaverga in the Piemonte continue to dwindle in favor of the more profitable Nebbiolo.
Freisa is a variety that probably originated in the Piemonte. It has a parent-sibling relation to Nebbiolo and several other Piemonte grapes. There are two varieties...Freisa Piccolo and Freisa Grossa. The Piccolo is the most commonly planted version and makes the better quality wine. It is occasionally made as a frizzante and an off-dry/slightly sweet version.
Scarpa was a producer that was first imported to the US by Darrell Corti around '76 or '77. He also makes a Barolo & a Barbaresco and a Barbera and a Timorasso which I'd love to try. I fell in love w/ the Scarpa wines thru Darrell. They are extremely well made a quite reasonably priced. Alas they sorta disappeared from the US market for a number of yrs when they have started to appear again. They have their own importing company down in Florida. It's great to have them back.
Tom