Cavit Wines: Number 1 Italian Wine in the U.S.

Now that statement surprised me. I've tasted my share of Cavit wines. A friend of mine is a regular in the Cavit Pinot Grigio aisle at the grocery store. I've tried their Pinot Grigio, their Cabernet Sauvignon and their Pinot Noir. But Cavit wines are not permanently stocked in my wine cabinet. Mostly because I've never been a big fan, just a so-so fan. And not for any particular reason. They're priced right, usually in the $7.50 to $9.99 range. They're not horrible. They just were never too memorable either. I've found many lovely wines in the same price range that appeal to my tastebuds more than the Cavit.

Perhaps one reason why they can claim they're the number one selling Italian wine in the U.S. is simply because they produce a wide range of moderate priced wines with modest tastes. Many people want to stick with safe and comfortable. There's nothing wrong with that. A lot of wine has been sold and consumed that tastes "safe and comfortable". And to some degree, when you're serving guests, you don't want to go too over the top for the casual wine drinker, so you would want a Cavit wine for that occasion.

But now Cavit is advertising their Pizza Contest on my blog and I'm feeling torn. The winner will win a trip to ITALY! How can I not LOVE Cavit wine? How can I not tell you all to rush right out and buy a case? And while you're at it, enter to win. Well, I just can't. But, since it's been several years since I've sipped a Cavit wine, I'm going to try them again.

I'm making a pledge. I promise to taste (or in the case of Cavit Wine, re-taste) the wine of any Winery that advertises on my blog and give you my thoughts. Tonight we're having fish for dinner. I think I'll try the Cavit Chardonnay. Check back later for my thoughts.

Ciao!

Goodbye Grigio, Hello Gavi

Never heard of Gavi? Me neither, 'til someone recommended it for those times when you just need a break from your regular Pinot Grigio.
Gavi wine is a light-bodied, desert-dry, very crisp white wine from Northern Italy's Piedmont region. It is the first Italian white to gain international recognition, and is still considered the white jewel of the Piedmont region's crown.


It is made exclusively from the Cortese grape and is generally pale, straw-colored with a mild fragrance. It's unassuming, yet fruity and well-balanced. You'll find the bouquet includes lemons, green apples and honeydew. It finishes with a nice underlying hint of almonds. It is probably one of the best wines you will ever pair with seafood. It is also tasty with antipasti! Serve chilled.


It is meant to be drunk young, so don't go looking for a Gavi from 1997. It's best after one year, but undrinkable after four.


Gavi wine is Italy's most expensive white wine shipped to U.S. markets, and can be found at good wine shops, at prices ranging from $12 to $45. Any fine Italian restaurant will carry it as well, but expect unreasonably high markups.

Corte Alla Flora - Red Wine Cultivated and Bottled in Tuscany

I decided I want to pack up my family and head to Italy for Christmas this year.  There are only four of us so it would be relatively easy to pack for a week.  I had plenty of time off from work and plenty of airline miles to spare.  Stateside, snow had not yet fallen, but the chill of deep winter was in the air and snow threatened over the next day or so.  We had already had our family visits, so Christmas seemed the perfect time to abandon the hustle-bustle of the states and return to the slower pace of Italy, if only for a week.  The temperate climate, the friendly people, the delicious, soul-fulfilling food, and the incredible wines beckoned me.  It had been far too long since I set foot in Italy.  And this Christmas, I wanted to share Italy with my family.  Alas, my "real" budget (the post-Christmas budget) said I would be able to afford a quick trip to my favorite wine specialist instead, where I would have to choose a lovely Italian table wine to complement tonight's dinner - simple pasta with Italian sausage and meatballs.

With tonight's dinner, I wanted to try a wine I had never tried before, so I chose the Toscana Rosso from Corte alla Flora.  Corte Alla Flora is a winery situated in the beautiful countryside of Tuscany, Italy.  Though the winery is only about ten years old, the wines they make are as old as time.  They are vested in classic, old school, Italian wines - like Grappa, Nocino and Toscana Rosso but have also embraced today's more popular wines, including a Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot and even olive oil!

I chose this wine for several reasons - one - it is estate produced and bottled and I like to try wines from the smaller wineries; two - it was only $11.99; three - it's authentically Italian, and four - it came well recommended for a hearty pasta dish, which is what we were having for dinner tonight.  Going back to estate produced and bottled and why I look for that in a wine.  Typically, an estate-produced wine is going to have better quality control and the winery will take more care in its production.  These wines are produced from grapes that are only grown at that specific winery.  They don't buy grapes from other wineries to blend, or produce a wine.  Also, estate-produced wines generally mean a smaller production.  And in my experience, I've just liked them better.

The wine itself, 2007 Podere Del Giuggiolo, Toscana Rosso, is a very dry, red table wine.  Corte alla Flora starts this wine in oak casks, then ages them for 6 months in stainless steel, then 6 months in the bottle.   Once poured, the deep cranberry color is edged in brown hues within the glass.  I refrigerated the bottle for 20 minutes, then corked it and let it sit for about ten minutes.  I think it's dry, with a slight hint of oak and red fruits.  Delicious with a simple rustic, pasta and sausage meal.  It didn't seem overly complicated and my impression is it will improve with age.

It is a very nice introduction to Tuscan reds, as it is relatively straightforward and would be quite drinkable with pasta, cheeses, and spicy dishes.