Faux Pinot Grigio $18
Ercole Bianco Monferrato
the place
Piedmonte, Italy
the grapes
Cortese (94%), Chardonnay (4%) & Sauvignon Blanc (2%)
the process
At their best, wines made from the native grape variety Cortese boast a serious yet pleasing weight, pronounced minerality, and beautiful acidity. In fact, the Cortese-based wines of nearby Gavi are among the most treasured whites of Northern Italy. We have discovered that adding a touch of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc further sharpens and thereby elevates this wine. Fun fact: Cortese was first documented in 1614, when the Castle of Casale Monferrato documented the grape in its ledger.
the price
Bottle: $23 | Glass: $9
Mercato Pesce
the place
Soave Italy
the grapes
Garganega
the process
FERMENTATION AND EXTRACTION: Direct press, selected yeast, in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. ELEVAGE: Aged a few months in tank with 1-2 months lees contact. FINING AND FILTERING: Fined and filtered for a clean and vibrant color, not vegan. SULFUR: Steps are taken to minimize sulfur use at each step of the process for a clean and stable wine.
the price
Bottle: $14 | Glass: $6
Andrea Felici
the place
Marche, Italy
the grapes
Verdicchio
the process
The fruit is from 10 hectares of various vineyards on the Felici farm, from 10- to 40-year-old vines. The vineyards are between 500 and 600m above sea level; Leo's vineyard site at 600m is the highest in the appellation. Harvest was in late September/early October at yields of 11,000kg/ha (about 60hl/ha). Fermentation is in conrete vats and stainlees steel tanks. About half the harvest is macerated a few days on the skins during fermentation. Malolactic fermentation does not take place. Aged on its lees for 6 to 12 months, with six staggered bottlings taking place.
the price
Bottle: $23 | Glass: $10
Tenute Dettori Renosu Bianco
the place
Sardegna, Italy
the grapes
Vermentino, Moscato di Sennori
the process
They’re made without consideration of tourists and export markets; they’re honest and pure, made for locals in the style they like to drink. They’re made with minimal impact on the environment; the winery barely has electricity, everything is gravity fed, the temperature is controlled by 2.5m thick walls, they use recycled materials and return prunings, stems and grape skins are returned to the earth of the vineyard. Grown with biodynamic principles, from Alessandro Dettori, one of the pioneers of natural winemakers who always says he only makes his wines with grapes and nothing else.A non-vintage un-fined, un-filtered un-oaked low sulphite wine.
the price
Bottle: $33 | Glass: $12