Hidden gem in Charlotte’s Oakhurst neighborhood where the menu is as creative as the food
February 28, 2023
20-Buck Bottle: Zinfandel by another name
This Italian offering comes from a respected producer
by Anita Skogland
2018 Primitivo Salento Rosso, Cantina Vecchia Torre, Leverano, Italy
Available at: Mere’s, Park Road
Price: $19
On The Nose: Blueberry, blackberry, spice, cinnamon, hints of vanilla and tobacco
On The Palate: Medium body, well integrated tannins, dark fruit, lively, with a hint of acidity
On The Plate: Pair with eggplant Parmesan, burgers, flank steak, roast pork, or spaghetti and meatballs
Our Take: If you like California zinfandel, you will enjoy this wine. It has similar bones without the over-the-top alcohol level and a more reasonable price for the quality.
Fun Fact: The DNA on primitivo and zinfandel show a direct connection between the two. California was settled by a number of Croatian, Hungarian, and Italian families between 1860-1880. Many immigrants brought cuttings of their grapes to start a vineyard for personal use, and quite a few of those pioneers blossomed into wine producers who are still in business today. Vecchia Torre is a co-op located in Puglia, Italy; they produce a variety of wines. Co-op wineries are common in Italy as the production facilities are very expensive to build and operate. Sometimes as many as 25 producers will share one facility in order to minimize the cost of production. This producer is highly regarded as one of the better primitivo producers in this price range.
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