Tenuta Sant’ Antonio Valpolicella 2007 

Remarkably full-bodied for a Valpolicella. The thick, lush red fruit is startling. But the crescendo quickly softens and that rustic, somewhat herbal Italian finish comes shining through. This wine would be a great companion with red pasta sauces, well-seasoned pork, pate’ or Asiago cheese.

Kimberly Grasso

As the last of the hot summer nights came to a close, I tried my nose on the Naia 2007 Verdejo.  As the bottle opened it was one of the most fragrant wines I’ve had in quite a while.  Once I had the first pour the herbaceous nose of this wine came out and was very strong, yet not overpowering, with floral notes that complimented it.  I couldn’t wait to taste all this fragrance!

This Verdejo was of a very high quality and one of the best white varieties from Spain.  It was a very aromatic and soft wine with body, and with each glass this wine kept surprising me.  The first taste was very refreshing and crisp with bright fruit flavors such as grapefruit, lime and kiwi.  It was the perfect wine for the sushi we had just made too.  Although we drank it right out of the refrigerator, I recommend letting it sit a while for a more appealing taste.  If I ever want to be reminded of the last days of summer I’ll reach for the Naia 2007 and pour myself some liquid fragrance.

Kimberly Grasso 

One of my favorite things about being a wine consultant at Kafevino is being able to use my Aromatherapy background to taste the smells of all the wonderful wines we have available! So what is actually happening here? In the back of your mouth there is a passage called the retronasal passage. As you are tasting a wine you also inhale it up into this interior nasal passage.  As you draw in air across the wine and into your mouth you are vaporizing the aromas just as you did when you swirled the wine in your glass before tasting it! Pretty neat huh?

On a recent aroma adventure I got my nose into the Kings Ridge Pinot Noir. This Pinot had the classic cranberry, raspberry and currant on the nose and palate. With subtle hints of herbs and earth this was much different than any other Pinot Noir I had tried. The delight, to my surprise, was that it opened up with each glass and went well with my lobster bisque, bon appetite! Stop in at Kafevino and smell the wine, it’s always in season!