Vietti strikes again

[Scoop]

If you are a Barbera fan, then you should check out the Vietti 1998 Tre Vigne ($13.99 retail -- and a bargain), a great, albeit very different follow-up to the voluptuous 1997.

The 1998 is leaner and more focused than the 1997, sporting a pronounced black cherry/rasberry nose with some herbal undertones (anise, thyme?) and a hint of tar. On the palate, it's dry with medium-high (but balanced acidity), nice medium, soft tannins, medium alcohol and body and a fruit character similar to the nose (along with the tar and herbs). The finish is long, replete with a nice black cherry tang. Quality wine-making here, very drinkable now but certainly worthy of some age.

We paired it with a sun-dried tomato and kalamata olive risotto, garnished with fresh thyme. A match made in heaven!!

Cheers,

Scoop

[mrdutton]

Made on earth or in heaven, this match will not pass across my palate.

Can't seem to find it here in Virginia......

[RAD]

Scoop--

You're absolutely right about the wine you've mentioned. I too am in NYC and I've had a couple of bottles of the wine in question; I believe I picked them up at either Italian Wine Merchants or Garnet.

That being said, I'm becoming quite a Barbera fan myself. Another one worth trying is the 1995 (yes, '95) Bovio Regiaveja Barbera D'Alba. Union Square Wines has it for around $29. If you liked the Vietti, give it a whirl. You won't be disappointed. (But don't clean them out, as I have to get some more--this particular bottle is my wife's favorite wine!)

Italian Wine Merchants also has a later vintage of the Bovio Barbera D'Alba, '97 or '98, I think. However, these don't have the "Regiaveja" designation; I'm not sure what that means. In any event, they taste great too.

[This message has been edited by RAD (edited 06-17-2000).]

[Scoop]

First, welcome to the Board.

Second, I'm a BIG Barbera fan, so I'll look out the Bovio.

Third, check out my response to your tasting.

Nice to have another City dweller on the Board!

(BTW, you might find the string "NYC wine country" under "Wine Country Touring" entertaining.)

Cheers,

Scoop