FOLONARI MOSCATO - NV

Folonari Moscato is grown from grapes at the alpine foothills between Lake Iseo and Lake Garda.  The grapes are harvested when they are slightly overripe in the wine region of Veneto, Italy.  100% Moscato grapes with around 9.5% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Light straw color with a nose of petrol, acacia, and peach.  On the palate there is Juicy Fruit gum upfront followed by peach, sour red pear and melon, honey and white grape juice.  There is good acidity on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

87 PTS
For $9 a bottle there is a tremendous value here. The wine is well made and its only flaw is that the acidity is not quite balanced with the sugar.  I would have preferred just a tad more residual sugar and a longer finish, but this is still a wine I would recommend.  Moscato not only makes a great dessert wine, but pairs great with cheeses and appetizers as a starter wine.

CAVICCHIOLI 1928 LAMBRUSCO EMILIA IGT DOLCE - NV

Lambrusco is a somewhat sweet sparkling red that is served cold and is a refreshing summer drink.  The grapes are Sorbara and Salamino and are grown in the Modena DOC.  Low alcohol positions this wine more as a beer alternative to summer grilling, meats and spicy dishes. This wine is made from 34% Lambrusco di Sorbara, 33% Lambrusco di Grasparossa and 33% Lambrusco di Salamino.

TASTING NOTES:

Dark purple-red color with a tremendous amount of carbonation which creates a zippy head on top of the pour.  There is a yeasty-must and floral nose with sweet red berries upfront and black fruit on the finish.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:


87 PTS
I'm not a huge Lambrusco fan usually because I find the wines are too sweet and out of balance. The acidity and sugar here are nicely balanced making this one of the better offerings in this category.  The Cavicchioli family has been bottling wine their name since 1928.  This bottle is a well-crafted wine that is part of an Italian tradition.