Whine About Wine

Pastaandvino.com

Take a trip through the stories of more than 150 wine portfolio and the exclusive food offered at www.pastaandvino.com. 

  1. 03/16/2025

    “I drink wine when I am happy, and when I am sad.” Good bye Winter! Hello Spring!

    Send a text PRAHOVA VALLEY Pinot Noir, Romania Many people aren’t familiar with Romanian wines, but if you’re a fan of French wines, you’ll likely appreciate the structure of Romanian wines as well. This is because Romania and France are located at similar latitudes in the northern hemisphere. In fact, Romania is renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noirs. This wine presents a delicate and bright ruby red color, enticing the eye with its vibrant hue. On the nose, it offers the aroma of ripe red fruits like strawberries and raspberries, complemented by subtle hints of spices and a gentle touch of toasted French oak. The palate is fruit-forward, fresh, and full of flavor, with a medium body that showcases its well-rounded texture. The wine boasts balanced acidity, leading to a pleasant, long, and persistent finish that lingers delightfully. A truly harmonious and flavorful experience from start to finish. TONNINO Grillo, Sicily From one of our favorite producers, Tonnino Winery takes great pride in producing wines that are grown organically, even if they don’t say so on the bottle. Fun fact: Grillo grapes, which you might recognize from the popular cooking wine Marsala, are often called “chameleon grapes.” These grapes are picked in the middle of the night because they begin fermenting immediately once harvested. Their flavor profiles can shift quickly, which is why they’re given the name “chameleon.” Grillo is quite acidic and makes your mouth water, which makes it an amazing food wine! This grillo has a bouquet with a delightful mix of fruity notes, including apple, peach, banana, pineapple, pink grapefruit, and citrus, creating an aromatic experience that is both fresh and inviting. With a personality that stands out, it delivers a pleasantly soft taste, rich in flavor and fragrance. Perfect as an aperitif, it pairs wonderfully with a variety of fish dishes, crustaceans, and soups. For the best experience, serve it chilled, enhancing its smooth and flavorful profile. www.pastaandvino.com

    6 min
  2. 03/02/2025

    Is it Possible to Craft Old World Wine with Sustainable Farming Practices?

    Send a text Peterson Wines says YES! PETERSON Zinfandel, California A true family-owned and operated winery for over 30 years in California, Peterson Winery prides itself with crafting old-world style wines with sustainable farming practices. This Zinfandel is a remarkable example of a traditional field blend, where a small but thoughtful inclusion of other red and white grape varieties adds an intriguing layer of complexity. Despite making up just 3% of the blend, the additional grapes—likely contributing fresh acidity or subtle aromatic nuances—work harmoniously with the bold Zinfandel core. On the nose, the wine immediately invites with an array of dark, ripe berry aromas, complemented by the spiciness of black pepper and hints of earth and oak. These elements create a layered and enticing bouquet. The palate mirrors this complexity, where the flavors unfold like a fruit compote, rich with blackberry, black raspberry, raspberry, and dried strawberry. A touch of dark cherry deepens the fruit profile, while the black pepper and vanillin oak weave into the background, providing structure and supporting the wine’s richness. The tannins are supple, allowing the wine’s bold fruit character to shine without overwhelming the palate. This balance of sophistication and robust flavors makes the wine a perfect companion for hearty dishes like lasagna with béchamel sauce or smoked, dry-rubbed baby back ribs to complement rich, savory meals. TONNINO Mediterraneo, Sicily Tonnino is a family-operated winery from Sicily, with three generations of winemaking experience. Their journey began in 1950 when grandfather Paolo started producing grape must for Sicily’s top wine firms, later evolving into bottling their wines. Over the years, they’ve embraced innovation while remaining committed to traditions, always striving to improve quality. Today they continue the handcrafting practices of pruning, training, and harvesting, with a deep respect for the land and a focus on producing pure, natural wines. Surrounded by the perfect blend of sea, mountains, and rich soil, the vineyards yield grapes that capture the essence of Sicily. The Chenin Blanc grapes for this Mediterraneo are harvested in early September, ensuring full ripening to capture the peak of their flavor. In the winery, the grapes undergo a 10-day maceration process at controlled temperatures to extract maximum flavor and color. The wine is then refined for 80% of the time in stainless steel tanks, with the remaining 20% aged in oak tonneaux, which adds subtle complexity before bottling. This wine presents an intense and bright color, leading into a rich bouquet that evokes the Mediterranean with aromas of ripe peaches, honey, and sweet jasmine flowers. On the palate, the Mediterraneo is fresh, fruity, and mineral, delivering a crisp yet rich taste. It pairs beautifully with fish dishes, crustaceans, and white meats. www.pastaandvino.com

    13 min
  3. The First Kiss and the First Glass of Wine are Always The Best!

    02/07/2024

    The First Kiss and the First Glass of Wine are Always The Best!

    Send a text Join us for a survey of three wines from Tamburini and a wonderful recipe featuring DOMA Roasted Red Pepper Strips! TAMBURINI Il Castelluccio, Italy Here is a fun fact! This crisp combination of Trebbiano and Malvasia grapes was an original Chianti blend. Straw yellow in color with greenish highlights, it has an intense and aromatic bouquet reminiscent of broom, banana, orange blossom and rose. It has a full-bodied taste, with a lingering aroma and a good level of acidity. Enjoy with light cheeses, fresh fruits, shellfish and light pasta or risotto. The colder this wine is when drinking it, the more tart it will taste so experiment with the flavor at different temperatures and tell us your preference! TAMBURINI TJ Rose, Italy This is the first wine produced by Emanuela and Michele. TJ Rose was created as a celebration of their marriage and the birth of their daughter, Miriadele. There is so much symbolism in this wine: the T for Tamburini; the J for Jermann; and the 3 hearts linked with each of their initials as a forever tribute to their family. This 100% Sangiovese rose displays a velvety bouquet reminiscent of fresh strawberries and a hint of violets. It has a full-bodied, harmonious and soft taste. We suggest to open it about an hour before serving to really give the wine a chance to “breathe”, allowing the tannins to soften and the flavors to become more pronounced. Enjoy with Focaccia, cold meats and fresh cheeses, first courses with white meats, crustaceans and fish (mixed cooked and raw), or a classic simple pizza. It is delicious served lightly chilled or at room temperature. TAMBURINI Il Massiccio, Italy Massiccio means big and strong so it is only fitting that we make it our featured wine this month. This big wine comes from our familiar Tuscany winemaker, Emanuela Tamburini, and is a blend of 85% sangiovese and 15% merlot. In this big and powerful wine you will smell aromas of figs, dried plums, vanilla, and a little pepper. Enjoy with red meats and red sauces or lasagna. The high tannins of this red combined with a fatty meat or an acidic red sauce will tone down the acidic nature of the Sangiovese grapes and create a very well-rounded meal. www.pastaandvino.com

    13 min
  4. The Good, the Better and the Organic...

    11/12/2022

    The Good, the Better and the Organic...

    Send a text WINEMAISON ALBERT WINERYLike most of the vineyards we have shared with you, the vineyards of Maison Albert have adeep desire to create a truly organic wine. Only natural methods are used to cultivate thegrapes. For instance, wild plants are grown in an effort to maintain a rich biodiversity andbalance the structure of the soil. Each root generates different micro-organisms which allowthe vine to fully grasp the essence of the terroir. Pesticides, herbicides and other syntheticchemical fertilizers are prohibited. In addition, sheep roam the vineyard and are responsiblefor weeding and preparing the best organic manure. Their grazing also helps to aerate thesoil, thereby protecting it from fires. Maison Albert focuses on estate wines from the family’sproperties of Château Auris and Château Les Bugadelles in the Rhone Valley.MAISON ALBERT CHARDONNAYThe Chardonnay grapes in this wine are organic and mechanically harvested which helpsto quickly gather the grapes (protecting them from oxidation) and transfer them to the cellar.Fermentation takes place in stainless steel and is allowed to mature on the lees. The moderncellar is computerized to perfectly control the temperatures during fermentation and avoidany oxidation of the harvest. This Chardonnay is fresh with powerful notes of citrus fruits andwhite flowers.MAISON ALBERT PINOT NOIRThe Pinot Noir grapes in this wine are organic, harvested by hand, and carried in small cratesto avoid any damage to the grapes during transit from vineyard to cellar. The moderncellar is computerized to perfectly control the temperatures during fermentation and avoid anyoxidation of the harvest. This slightly sweet and fruity pinot noir is fruit-driven with notes ofraspberries, cherries, and strawberries. It carries delicate floral flavors with a silky mouth-feeland gentle tannins.GOURMET FOODDOMA STUFFED PEPPERDOMA in the Macedonian language means “My home” and is representative of the highestquality and processes developed over centuries in the villages of Macedonia. DOMA cheesestuffed red peppers are made with a traditional homemade recipe using only 4 ingredients.These cherry peppers are ready to be consumed as an appetizer or as a complimentary additionto your meal. It is 100% natural and contains NO preservatives!TRUFFLE BUTTER ITALIAN BREADOh my…one word…YUM! This recipe is going to be your next go-to for entertaining. The trufflebutter is simple enough to make (and make ahead to have on hand when needed). Not only isthis truffle butter melt-in-your-mouth delicious on bread, but once you try it, you’ll imagine thepossibilities of enjoying it on steak or potatoes, and other vegetables.www.pastaandvino.com

    14 min
  5. When in Rome....

    09/13/2022

    When in Rome....

    Send a text Welcome to our September 2022 edition of the “A Casa” food and wine club by Pasta and Vino When in Rome, do as the Romans do. WINE VINEA DOMINI The first words pronounced by Benedict XVI, immediately after his election (2005), were: “after the great Pope John Paul II, the cardinals elected me, a simple and humble worker of the vineyard of the Lord.” From this came the idea of giving the name “Vinea Domini” (latin for the master’s vineyard) to a new range of wines that represents the excellence of the production of one of the largest and most historic wineries in the Castelli Romani: Gotto d’Oro or “golden glass”. The winery is located in Rome and has been in existence since 1945. In 2017, the Vinea Domini line of their wines was introduced to showcase the best grapes of Lazio. It is now the top brand among their wines, producing 50,000-60,000 bottles. ROMA BIANCO The Roma Bianco is produced with Malvasia Puntinata grapes, a semi-aromatic varietal that in the Castelli Romani area fnds a perfect harmony. You will notice aromas of white flowers and exotic fruits with intense notes of ripe fruit, particularly apricot and melon, and soft sensations of citrus and aromatic moss and a touch of mint. ROMA ROSSO The Roma Rosso (red) is produced with Montepulciano grapes. Montepulciano wines are typically fruity, spicy, well-balanced, and fuller bodied. This particular wine will showcase notes of ripe red fruit, particularly cherry, blackberry and plum. Maturation in wood gives it Spicy scents with notes of vanilla.7th Edition Page 2 September 2022 GOURMET FOOD ASTORINO RIGATONI The debate is out on which pasta is the best shape for Pasta Carbonara. It is usually served with thick spaghetti or rigatoni. Both pasta shapes are excellent at holding the creamy sauce of this dish. PASTA CARBONARA What goes better with Roman wines than a Roman dinner? We’ve got that. Pasta Carbonara is a typical Roman dish that blends pasta, cheese, eggs, and guanciale (which is a bacon-like meat). So, technically, you are eating breakfast AND dinner in one sitting! While the truest Roman recipe calls for Guanciale (also known as pig cheek), it can be difficult to find. The next best option is pancetta (pork belly), which is a lot like bacon – salty but unsmoked. You can also substitute either guanciale or pancetta for your favorite bacon. Chances are that you have had Pasta Carbonara before, however the typical Roman way is to create a very creamy dish with pasta water, eggs, and Pecorino Romano cheese. You can thank us later. WHEN IN ROME, DO AS THE ROMANS DO Here’s our protip. If you ever take a trip to Rome, do yourself a favor and eat at a fantastic restaurant called Flavio al Velavevodetto. The name translates to “I told you so”. Be sure to order their Pasta Carbonara and when you say “this is the best pasta carbonara I’ve ever had”, remember that we told you so! www.pastaandvino.com

    11 min

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Take a trip through the stories of more than 150 wine portfolio and the exclusive food offered at www.pastaandvino.com.