Trinitas Old Vine Cuvee 2006

Contra Costa County, California

About the Wine:

Trinitas was founded by Tim and Steph Busch and is dedicated to bringing historical California vineyards & varietals to the forefront of winemaking.  Located in Oakley, California, in the northeast corner of the Contra Costa County, the vineyards are from early Italian and Portuguese farmers who settled in the area.  The average age of the vines is 90 years old, but some vines are as much as 120 years old.  Sandy soil and ample sun & heat mean low yields and high concentration.  The resulting wine has deep richness and a hearty 14.9% alcohol.

This red is a blend of 54% Zinfandel, 32% Carignane, 7% Mataro, 5% Petite Sirah, and 1% each Alicante Bouschet & Black Malvasia.  It has a deep garnet color in the glass.  The aroma is of raspberries, black pepper, vanilla, and cardamom.  The palate is very fruit forward, like a mouthful of berries with a peppery bite and toffee hints.  The layers of flavor are deep and comforting.

Food Pairings:

I can think of no better pairing for this wine than a large hunk of Willow Hill Farm Vaquero Blue Cheese, a crisp baguette, and my favorite movie.

Vinosia Aglianico 2008

Irpinia, Campania, Italy DOC

About the Wine: Irpinia is a region of the Apennine Mountains around Avellino, a town in Campania about 40 km east of Naples.  Campania boasts one of the world’s most spectacular coastlines and an abundance of agriculture.  The area was colonized by the Ancient Greeks; Campania itself is derived from Latin, as the Romans knew the region as Campania felix which translates into English as “fertile countryside”.

The grapes are harvested in late October to early November, sometimes picked in the snow.  The wine benefits from the late autumn chill which conserves its fragrant perfume and its naturally high acidity that make it such a food friendly wine.

This wine has a violet tinged red color in the glass.  It exudes aromas of sweet vanilla and berries.  In the mouth you get notes of black cherry, blackberry, and chocolate cake that has been studded with sugared violets.  It is medium bodied with moderate tannins and great acidity that rounds it out nicely.

Food Pairings:

Campania produces a large amount of tomatoes, cheese, salami, and sausage.  So I would say why not go for a homemade pizza starring those very ingredients.  Or try Spaghetti with sausage, rapini, and red sauce.  This region is well known for both Pizza and Spaghetti, and rapini (or broccoli rabe) is often used in this cuisine.