Wine from Italy’s Heel

There can be nothing more confusing than selecting an Italian wine, simply because there are so many offered.  On top of that, the bottles are not marked the way we would expect, making it hard to figure them out without knowing the “code”.

One good way around this confusion is to find a restaurant having a liquor license that allows the direct sale of wine at the cashier.  As an added bonus, you can often order a glass with dinner to taste before buying.  This recommendation was found using this option.

Because of the personal relationship between the restaurant owner and the producer, this wine is a “limited buy” – quite interesting.  It goes without saying that this puppy is not going to be found in many shops.

It is produced at an estate known as Tormaresca (tower by the sea) located in the southern Italian province of Puglia, right on Italy’s heel.  Since wines from this region are not commonly exported to the U.S., it is a great way to expand your travels without leaving the valley.

The low acidity of this “Neprica” blend works well with Italian pasta dressed with a lighter tomato sauce such as a vodka sauce as opposed to a marinara sauce.  Note: In Puglia they use olive oil sauces extensively, so you may want to try that combination too.  The wine has a very interesting bouquet of cocoa, licorice, and plum.  Combined with the low acidity and soft body, it also a good choice to consume just by itself.

Well worth it at $18.00, pick it up at:

Vincitorio’s Restaurant

1835 E. Elliot Rd., Suite C109 (SE corner of Elliot & McClintock just behind Percell’s tire service)

Tempe, AZ  ( 480-820-2786)

Written by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com

View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.