Swirl Wine Club January Wines

Happy New Year! This month,Swirl wine club tours Northern Italy. This is such a fantastic area and so difficult to choose. In the same breathe, we think you are going to absolutely LOVE this months wine selections. Of course, we went to Piedmont and have selected 3 fantastic wines from that region: Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Brachetto. The new year could not be celebrated without a little bubbly too, so we have included an absolutely fantastic Prosecco from the Veneto. Below are our tasteing notes for the wines. Enjoy!! Not a club member yet? Visit www.swirlmywine.com and get started today. You will be glad you did. Happy new year once again. We know you will enjoy the wines and we wish you all a blessed and prosperous 2011.






Gomba Boschetti Nebbiolo d’Alba D.O.C. “Albie” 22.99 (Alba, Piedmont, Italy) Ahh, the great Nebbiolo, King of Piedmont grapes which create two of the most iconic wines on earth: Borolo and Barbaresco. Yes, you are drinking a wine that we somehow worked into the wine club that is grown on the Boschetti hillside, overlooking the town of Borolo. First things first with this 2008 Nebbiolo – let it breath!! I would recommend to pop the cork (sorry, ease it) and let it sit in the bottle overnight (12 – 24 hours). If that’s just too much planning, definitely decant it for a few hours. For you Riedel wine glass snobs (yes, I’m one too) try it in the Pinot Noir stem…huge difference! One last thing, if you can bare the wait, I’d definetly let this bottle rest for 3-5 years in the cellar or basement… or better yet, try a bottle each year. I think you will be amazed at this wine (although a bit more of a modernistic style) it has a ways to go until it matures. By the way, this is an incredible food wine when paired with pungent cheeses or savory pasta. On to some tasting notes – Not yet rated, although previous vintages have received 90+ pts. You can see the earthiness in its color; Persian red at its core, fading to a brick-orange hue at the rim. The nose shows off cherry, strawberry, roses, and medicinal herbs. At first impression, its fruit and refined grace is accented by a bit of spice leading to a mid-palate with good acidity and young tannins, adding structure and body. The finish is traditional, not an Arnold Schwarzenegger, over the top, oak influenced, new-world shazam finish. It is much more poetic, patient and elegant with femininity. Breathe… close your eyes and let the finish set in. Have you ever watched the sun set over the Mediteranean? Get ready for beautiful! Clara C Fiori Di Prosecco Rose 16.99 (Valdobbiaden, Veneto, Italy) Cheers to 2011! We couldn’t celebrate the New Year without a little bubbly… let alone pink and sexy! This sparking rose has a GREAT story - Clara Carpenè created an innovation in a world of tradition: a Prosecco from a woman for the women. Her family has an extraordinary role in the history of Prosecco; in fact, she is the great-granddaughter of the man who first decided to make this wine and started the production of Prosecco, and the daughter of Antonio Carpenè, who invented the Prosecco as business in the 1940's. Born from a patient selection of grapes, under the constant care of experts, Fiori di Prosecco of Cantinae from Clara Carpenè s.a.s. has all the natural richness of a generous territory, located on the wonderful hills of the Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene D.O.C., near Treviso, in the Veneto Region. This is an ideal place for the Prosecco vineyards. Here Fiori di Prosecco was born, with its fine bubbles and an intense perfume of acacia flowers and rose petals, with a soft sensation of wildflowers. This is a festive wine that can accompany every occasion. It is ideal as an aperitif and simply perfect during a meal. It is the tradition of Prosecco even today. Gomba Boschetti Barbera d’Alba D.O.C. “Traifilari” 22.99 (Alba, Piedmont, Italy) Who doesn’t love Barbera? One of Piedmonts classic grape varietals. California and others are replicating it, but in my opinion there is rarely a substitute for quality Barbera straight from the heart of Alba. This 2008 Barbera d’Alba is simply fanatstic... 89 pts at that. Once again, decant or otherwise let it breathe – for awhile. This is one of my favorite wines with chocolate. Uncork now or age up to 5 years. It’s nose is intense and draws you in; bing cherries, blackberry, spice, earth, smoke and funk. Ripe red fruits and searing acidity start off the bat with a lush middle balanced in its smooth texture with raspberry and spice. Its 12 month layover in fine-grain French oak cask is evident on the finish as it pulls everything together in a finale that lingers like the energizer bunny, makes your hair stand up and crave another sip. Gancia Brachetto d’Acqui D.O.C.G. 19.99 (Acqui, Piedmont, Italy) 3 Red club members - we think you’re going to LOVE this festive frizzante wine… it’s our node to the New Year and celebrations to come! Brachetto is the grape varietal and it’s considered an authentic treasure of the local winemaking area. Elegant and pleasantly sweet thanks to its high quality and delicate characteristics. It is a very light, sweet bubbly that is jam pack with crisp notes of fragrance, watermelon and strawberry. A chocolate lovers dream-come-true! And for a sure-fire way to put a smile on your face, pair it with chocolate covered strawberries on a romantic night, or just enjoy in a new year relaxing bubble bath on your own or with your loved one. Mmmm…. we love this wine. Enjoy!