Wine of the Month, October 2008

San Angelio Toscana, Pinot Grigio &  Castello Banfi, Rosso di Montalcino

In the medieval hilltop town of Montalcino, in the southern foothills of Tuscany and the Mediterranean Sea, lie the Castellow Banfi vineyards. “Of all the great names in Brunello, Castello Banfi, the American-owned estate in Tuscany, may well be the most consistently outstanding,” Wine Spectator states. This month, we spotlight two of their outstanding wines.

The Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino is made from 100 percent Sangiovese and is considered the younger sibling of Brunello. Before being released to the market, this wine is aged for 18 months — six months in French oak barrels, six months in Slavonian oak barrels, and another six months in the bottle. Deep ruby in color with a dry, round, velvety taste, it has similar characteristics to the Brunello and is an excellent companion to veal, red meats and cheeses.

Although Pinot Grigio has long been a varietal produced in northern Italy and in the Colli region just north of Venice, the gentle climate of Tuscany is more than ideal for Pinot Grigio production. Banafi’s estate-grown San Angelio Toscana Pinot Grigio is an elegant wine with an intense, fruity aroma, followed by a clean, rich, refreshing taste. It’s a delightful complement to seafood, veal and poultry dishes, or as a superb aperitif.

Both wines can be found at local fine-wine retailers including Papa Joe’s Wine Shop, West Point Market, Mustard Seed Market, Unexpected Wine and Gift Baskets, Riverside Wine and Imports, Buehler’s, Heinen’s and Acme.

—Rick Rodger, Heidelberg

Distributing Co.