REFRESHING ITALIAN RED!

ZENATO ROSSO VENETO IGT 2008
LCBO 208579 | 750 mL bottle
Price: $ 11.60
13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Made in: Veneto, Italy
By: Azienda Vinicola Zenato 

Tasting Note
A terrific, approachable, refreshing wine to use as your “House” red!  An Italian blend of  Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Corvina grapes, this fruity, mid-weight wine opens up with loads of spice and dark berries on the nose.  Its velvety smooth feel gets your mouth watering with a combination of  fruit and savoury flavours of herbs and slight oak.  A bit more restrained in style than many New World reds, but this is what makes it shine with food. 

 We drank ours with pizza, but I would also recommend serving it with roasted, herbed chicken, spaghetti and meatballs, simple pasta dishes. 

 This wine could also be aged for a few years for an even smoother feel to it.

 The Venato family winery which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010, is best known for its ripasso and Amarone portfolio, but have had great success with everyday reds.

 General List at LCBO.  Sold across Ottawa stores, but a good seller, so sometimes out of stock.

TRY MEXICAN!

L.A. CETTO PETITE SIRAH 2008
VINTAGES 983742 | 750 mL bottle

Price: $ 11.95
Wine, Red Wine
14.0% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : XD

Made in: Mexico by: L.A. Cetto
Vintage Release Date: Feb 5, 2011

Tasting Note

Olé  -  Be adventurous!!!  If you like Syrah or Shiraz, you must try this juicy best-buy wine.  IT’S NOT Shiraz, but rather it’s own stand-alone variety grown in Baja California, Mexico and this producer does a great job with this grape that thrives in the coastal valley of the peninsula. 

 It’s a lovely deep ruby colour with spicy black peppers on the nose and in the mouth, lots of juicy, ripe plum and dark raspberry flavours, a nice round feel in the mouth, with some dry tannins (you know how your mouth feels after drinking tea!) and a fairly long finish.  For the price, it’s a definite winner!  May be a bit rustic for some drinkers, but I love this type of wine, especially with food.

 Enjoy with all types of spicy Mexican/Vegetarian food, steak and cheese grilled sandwiches.

 Vintages Wine, but still widely available.