Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
June 13, 2023
20-Buck Bottle: Light spring red to enhance spring produce
A delicate wine made mostly from the corvina grape
by Anita Skogland
Coffele 2020 Valpolicella DOC, Soave, Northern Italy
Available at: Mere’s Curated Gourmet, Dilworth
Price: $24
On the Nose: Bright cherry, hint of cinnamon, blueberry, cedar
On the Palate: Fresh red berries, well-balanced tannins, and acidity.
On the Plate: Pair alongside pasta with fresh tomato sauce, fish, crab cakes, hearty lettuce salad, roasted spring vegetables
Our Take: Valpolicella is a delicate wine made mostly from the corvina grape. This producer allows about 10 percent of the grapes to raisin in order to add some body to the wine. (Corvina is also the grape that is used to make Amarone. When Amarone is produced, all the grapes are dried before extracting the juice).
Fun Fact: The Coffele family has been producing wine in this region since 1928. The grapes are raised with organic and biodynamic practices. This is a cool Italian wine-growing region, which produces light-bodied reds and acidic, refreshing whites, plus delicious sparkling wines. This wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks, which allows the delicate fruit flavors of the juice to shine in the bottle.
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