Favorite Obscure Varietals

[chefnaterock]

One of mine is Assyrtiko, Sigalas Stainless Steel from Santorini to be specific. It is a very aromatic perfum filled wine with well rounded acid profiles, a clean crisp mouth-feel, and a medium finish that kind of dances around on your palate.

If I were to pick a red, I might go with Dolcetto. Cabernet Franc is hardly obscure, but does anyone else think it is under-rated?

 

[Seven S]

I tried an Aglianico from Basilicata, Italy recently which I found interesting... had not heard anyone talk about it. Vintner is Epicuro.

 

[chefnaterock]

I can find any info on it in my books, can you describe it?

 

[Seven S]

The Aglianico (italian word for "Helenic") grape apparently originated in Greece and made its way to Basilicata and Campania, both southern regions in Italy. Although I am planning on buying another bottle, what I do recall was that it was a big wine, drinks like a Zinfandel. It has been described as "the Barolo of the South". I got it at Trader Joe's - I believe it was a 2006 and around $7.00. I have another bottle that I havent opened from Epicuro as well... it is a 2004 Riserva Salice Salentino made with a blend of 80% Negroamaro and 20% Malvasia Nera - never heard of those grapes. Hope I like it!

 

[Seven S]

I was reading a little about the Aglianico grape and it is being grown increasingly here in the states:

Appellations producing the most Aglianico wines:
Sierra Foothills (AVA)
St. Helena ~ Napa Valley (AVA)
Amador County (County Appellation)
Virginia (State Appellation)
Paso Robles (AVA)

hmmm.... interesting... I thought they were only found in Italy.