We were invited to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Zonin Wines at The Wine House 1821. The evening consisted of a four course Italian banquet with matched wines. Even if you don’t usually buy or drink wine, Christmas is a time when all of us find ourselves selecting a wine to match with dinner or something special as a gift.
In this post we will give you a wee overview of the five wines we had the opportunity to try during the evening.
Zonin Brut Rose Pink Prosecco
This was our welcome drink, we discovered later on in the evening that it was only the second year of production. The bottle was designed by the same designers as Ferrari which is a fun talking point for Christmas Day. We’d never had a rose prosecco before, it was lighter and easier to drink than traditional prosecco which can be a little harsh. A perfect welcome drink for a Christmas or New Year Party.
Oltrenero Brut Nature DOCG
This prosecco was matched with our first course of polenta with truffle and mushrooms. Made up of 100% pinot noir grapes it offered flavours of fresh red apple with citrusy notes which cut through the strength of the truffle flavours in the starter. This wine is a perfect match for canapés or as an aperitif. It wasn’t our personal favourite of the evening, but if you are already a prosecco fan then you’ll enjoy it.
Poggio alle Fate Toscana IGT
This Chardonnay from Tuscany hales from a tiny vineyard, just 3.2 hectares. The vineyard sits on the hillside, at the same height as half of Ben Nevis, this helps it retain its acidity. The flavours of green apple and lemon came through quite strongly on this one. Italian chardonnay is leaner and fresher than Californian, so if this is your preference, give it a try.
Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG
We both prefer red wine so this valpolicella paired with beef cheek was the perfect match. It was described to as as a meditative wine, which suits us perfectly. We can imagine sitting reading a book or pondering life will sipping away on this, the perfect bottle for that no man’s land between Christmas and New Year? Expect flavours of vanilla, chocolate and cherries from this deliciously drinkable wine.
Paxxito Virginia Appelation
This American dessert wine was from Virginia where the grapes are dried for 60 days on racks. It’s made up of a blend of Moscato and Vidal grapes. It’s claim to fame is that it’s been served at the White House, if it’s good enough for the White House, it’s good enough for your house.
Find out more about Zonin Wines
Find out more about Wine House 1821
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