A Sip Or Two From Italy

This fall, Lindsay Rice, owner of downtown’s luxurious wine bar Vita Vite, visited Italy to learn about winemaking from the Old Country masters. She shares a red wine and a white, curated specially for the discerning tastes of Raleigh Magazine readers. Either wine would make a perfect companion to any upcoming holiday meal.

Dei Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, 2014

I fell in love with all of Tuscany but especially with the town of Montepulciano. Here, they make the prestigious Vino Nobile, and the Cantine Dei company produces a wonderful example of it. Made from the sangiovese grape, the wine is both full-bodied and bright, with a balance of tannins and fruit. With its contemporary design and methods of production, Dei fits perfectly into the modern world while honoring the history and tradition of wine production in the region.

Fattoria Corzano e Paterno ‘Il Corzanello’ Toscana Bianco, 2016

One of my favorite Italian whites for fall, this is a blend of chardonnay, trebbiano, semillon and malvasia that’s medium-bodied and ideal for sipping as the weather cools and the humidity abates. The Toscanno Bianco, crisp and dry, pairs perfectly with cheese and charcuterie. The winery of origin is located half an hour south of Florence, in Chianti. When we visited in September, we met the winemaker, tasted cheeses made from the milk of sheep that live on the property and sampled olive oil that’s produced there, too. Sip the wines of Corzano e Paterno and savor a glimpse into the Tuscan life!