Big Savings on a Knockout Barbera d’Asti!
From the importer that brings you the beloved Ghiomo “Lavai” Barbera d’Alba, we are thrilled today to shine the spotlight on a gorgeously overdelivering Barbera from the hills of Piedmont’s Castagnole Monferrato.
The 2021 Montalbera “Lequilibrio” Barbera d’Asti Superiore completely knocked our socks off and, after a quick meeting with importer Paolo Cerruti, we struck a deal to bring it to you for the very best price in the country!
Scroll down for the details on this mouthwatering Italian red, and for one of the most compelling whites we’ve tasted all year, then hit that Big Green Button to stock up on these two Italian stars before they disappear!
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2021 Montalbera "Lequilibrio"
Barbera d’Asti Superiore
Piedmont, Italy
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If just hearing the word Barbera makes your mouth water, you are not alone. We're always on the hunt for great Barbera, and we struck gold with this ruby red beauty.
Produced from Montalbera's estate vineyards in the hills surrounding the commune of Castagnole Monferrato (about 10 miles northeast of the city of Asti), this DOCG Barbera d’Asti is classically styled and, due to the winery’s selective process of picking the grapes in the vineyard, coupled with extended oak aging in the cellars, has earned the tag of “Superiore.”
After popping the cork and pouring a glass of this intense ruby red beauty, look for aromas and flavors of mixed red berries, raspberry, black cherry, and black currant with a delicate layer of baking spices and cocoa resulting from 12 months aging in a selection of French oak ranging from small barrique to tonneaux to large neutral barrels.
Add in Barbera’s typical bright, mouthwatering acidity, and you have the complete package of power, flavor, balance and finesse that makes this wine very versatile at accompanying all sorts of dishes. Classic Italian fare will pair great, but that's just the beginning. Try this Italian rosso alongside steak fajitas, meat, veggie or portobello burgers off the grill, pork chops, chicken marsala, brats, and so much more!
"Smooth and savory, the 2021 Lequilbrio from Montalbera is a full-bodied, polished red. Aged in French oak barrels of various dimensions, it has inviting aromas of violet, wild berry, forest floor and oak-driven sensations while the full-bodied, full-flavored palate delivers succulent Marasca cherry, white pepper and licorice enveloped in polished tannins. It’s ready and balanced, with fresh acidity. Drink through 2028."
- 92 Points, Kerin O’Keefe (6/2024)
Median online retail is $25. Thanks to our relationship with the importer, we bring it to your today for 28% less. At our best-in-country price, this family-produced beauty won't be around for long!
Vin Chicago Price: 17.99
One of the Most Enticing Whites We’ve Tasted this Year!
2023 Marramiero Pecorino
Abruzzo, Italy
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Nestled between the Gran Sasso D’Italia Mountains to the west and the Adriatic Sea to the east, the vineyards of Marramiero sit at the perfect elevation to capture the essence of what makes Abruzzo a special place for wine production. Today, we bring you their Pecorino, a unique white grape that grows very well in this southern Italian landscape, especially in the hands of the experienced and attention-to-detail oriented Marramiero winery.
This 2023 bottling is an absolute showstopper. Fresh and enticing aromas and flavors of stone fruit and citrus explode from the glass and pair wonderfully with hints of white flowers and a dash of white peppery spice. Fermented and rested in stainless steel tanks before bottling, this clean, crisp and complex white offers a bit more weight and texture than expected, mainly due to a short period of skin contact during fermentation. The resulting wine has a full and round mouthfeel that lingers on the palate with a longlasting, mineral-driven finish.
Serve this sultry white wine with any kind of seafood dish and be instantly transported to the Italian coast. Considering the wine’s weight and texture, it will also go great with roast chicken, and will rock with an assorted cheese plate.
This earns a strong 92 points from the Vin Chicago tasting team, and will put a smile on your face regardless of what you drink it with. Supply here is limited, so grab a few bottles to enjoy as we slide into summertime. Hello Ravinia and all those outdoor picnics!
Vin Chicago Price: 21.99
