Paolo Scavino 'Sorriso' 2013

Paolo Scavino's 'Sorriso' blew my socks off! It overtook my dinner at Avoce, surpassing everything I had eaten at the table except for dessert, a small plate of zeppoli accompanied by a light toffee sauce.

Paolo Scavino is a winery in the Barolo region. It was founded in 1921 in Castiglione Falletto by Lorenzo Scavino and his son Paolo. Farming has always been a family tradition and passion with Enrico Scavino, who together with daughters Enrica and Elisa (fourth generation) run the family Estate. Since 2000, the Langhe D.O.C. Sorriso, has remained as a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, and Viognier, vinified and aged in stainless steel.

Viognier is a finicky grape and can show the characteristics of a flat tire unless the skills of a highly skilled winemaker are used. In the 'Sorriso' 2013 blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, all were soft but well balanced on the palate. There was a slight hint of effervescence, which could've been the result of the vintage being young or from being leftover from the primary fermentation.  Whatever the reason, I enjoyed the miniscule bubbles as this made the wine seemingly more alive. With a clean acidity towards the end and a long finish the experience was nothing but refreshing, complimenting my main course of seared tuna well. 

Wine: Paolo Scavino, 'Sorriso' 2013
Price: $ 16.00 (Average) 
Blend: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier
Origin: Italy

Today's Wine: Rosso Di Altesino, IGT

I asked Herr Martin Kulmhofer, a professional in the wine industry, to bring a red wine under $20.00 for the evening. And what does he bring from September Wines and Liquors, one of my favorite wine stores located in the Lower East Side of Manhattan? The 2011 Rosso di Altesino, an IGT wine from the Altesino winery. A blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot, the wine has been aged from 6 to 8 months in stainless steel tanks and for another 3 months in barrique. A vibrant wine with fresh fruit/berries on the nose at the beginning, it tapers off to smokier and gamier aromatics. With supple tannins mostly influenced with the obvious characteristics of Slavonian oak which impart structure to the fruit and depth to an approachable and easy to drink dry wine.

I have been drinking this wine for the past 3 days and storing it without the usage of a wine pump. It has developed surprisingly well all the more because the weather is quite cool and has allowed the wine to age gracefully. The more fruit forward flavors have receded and the drier, smokier components are more obvious on the nose as well as on the palate. Because of the wine's high acidity it is best accompanied with slightly heavier dishes like pastas, game and fatty fish.

Blend: Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot
Origin: Italy
Price: Under $20.