July Imported Wine: 2012 Perazzeta ‘Sara’ Rosato I.G.T., Tuscany, ITALY
Alessandro Bocci is truly passionate about making wine according to traditional methods, capturing a sense of place in each bottle, and sharing with the world his love for his land. His wines speak of the terroir and exude layers of flavor obtained from the deep root system he so lovingly tends. Spreading his arms wide to display the 200º view of the valley below, he grins, “I have to come work here every day.” And how beautiful it is. Driving up the dusty road to the estate, one is surrounded by olive trees, yellow Scotch Broom, and the occasional animal. Across the silent valley, Montalcino seems at once close, and a world away. Once a one-man show, Alessandro is now joined by his daughter, Sara, in the fields, and is joined by fifteen friends and family members to help during harvest. The density and complexity of his wines he attributes both to the unusually rich soils of the Montecucco zone, and to the family’s incredible selection standards. “Every year,” says Bocci, “we throw away approximately twice as many grapes as we press.”
History of Rosato and its Relation to Perazzeta: In the fulfillment of a dream, Alessandro Bocci from Perazzeta was able to procure a small plot of prime vineyard land just across the road from his estate, in Montalcino. The vines are too young to make Brunello, but are already producing wonderful fruit–absolutely perfect for a world-class Rosé.
A Rosé (from French: rosé also known as rosado in Portugal and Spanish-speaking countries or rosato in Italy) is a type of wine that incorporates some of the color from the grape skins, but not enough to qualify it as a red wine. It may be the oldest known type of wine, as it is the most straightforward to make with the skin contact method. The pink color can range from a pale “onion”-skin orange to a vivid near-purple, depending on the grape varieties used and winemaking techniques. There are three major ways to produce rosé wine: skin contact, saignée and blending. Rosé wines can be made still, semi-sparkling or sparkling and with a wide range of sweetness levels from bone-dry Provencal Rosé to sweet White Zinfandels and blushes. Rosé can be made from a wide variety of grapes and can be found all across the globe.
Varietals: 100% Sangiovese
Alcohol: 13.5% by volume
Tasting Notes: Made by Alessandro and his daughter, Sara, this beautiful Rosato delivers unexpected power and delineation. Yes, it has richness. Yes, it is bold. But it is flinty and beautiful, and never heavy in the mouth.
Food Pairings: The Rosato is a perfect accompaniment to fresh heirloom tomatoes, scampi, ricotta ravioli, and calamari.