wUst Fine Wine Imports
wines U should try!
Menicucci
In 1970, Antonio Menicucci planted his first grapes in Ortona, Italy. Three generations later the Menicucci legacy continues. Menicucci produces a variety of organic hand-crafted wines that are striking for their expressiveness, fresh fruit flavors, good balance, and being very food friendly. Located in the region of Abruzzo, which is far better known for its robust red wines made from the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo varietal, I was particularly impressed by the impressive freshness of their white wines. There is also a fun and interesting dark Rose made in the region from Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grapes which is called Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo.
My initial selections from this very interesting winery are two white varietals, a white blend, and the aforementioned Rose. The winery uses the "Ginesia" label for its single varietals and the "Alzavola" label for its blends. Another fun part of the Menicucci tradition is to commission local artists to create themed labels for the wines and you will see the current label images below.
Very sunny Abruzzo vineyards!
Pergola vine training for cluster protection
Hand harvesting for maximum quality
Abruzzo is spectacular with 8,000 foot mountains 15 miles from the Adriatic
The Wines
Ginesia Passerina 2020 (OC, NF)
Aromas include gardenia, white flowers, citrus blossoms, honeysuckle, clover honey, and lush yellow tropical fruits. Flavors include ripe honeydew melon, green apples, pear, and hints of tangerine, papaya, and mango. There is medium to full body, good balance and acidity, and a lush and rich full lingering finish.
Food pairings would include crab, shrimp, red snapper, clams, mussels, seafood pasta and salads, veal, pork cutlets and tenderloin, baked and roast chicken, grilled sausages, creamy pasta dishes, Asian pork, chicken, seafood, noodle, and vegetable dishes, Indian appetizers such as pakoras and samosas, Paneer dishes, enchiladas and tamales, chile verde, Mexican seafood and pork dishes, green salads, and mild, medium, and creamy cheeses.
Ginesia Pecorino 2022 (OC, NF)
Aromas include white flowers, honeysuckle, camellia, narcissus, gardenia, jasmine, starfruit, poached pears, and golden delicious apples. Flavors include honeydew melon, golden delicious apples, starfruit, and kiwi. There is a medium to full body, perfect balance and acidity, and a rich and long full finish.
Food pairings would include scallops, shrimp, clams, calamari, turbot, swordfish, paella, seafood pasta, soups, salads, and risotto, veal chops and cutlets, pork chops, baked chicken, veal, pork, chicken, and seafood piccata and with cream sauces, sauteed mushrooms, Asian pork, chicken, seafood, and noodle dishes, creamy yellow curries, Asian appetizers and vegetable salads, Mexican pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, enchiladas, chile relleno, tostadas, green salads, and mild to medium cheeses.
Alzavola Bianco 2020 (OC, NF)
This is a blend of 60% Pecorino and 40% Malvasia. Aromas include citrus blossoms, honeysuckle, white flowers, gardenia, rich yellow fruits, and hints of jasmine and lime zest. Flavors include pear, yellow applies, starfruit, passionfruit, Mirabelle plums, and hints of apricot. There is an elegant medium body, perfect balance and acidity, and a full refreshing finish.
Food pairings would include crab, scallops, sole, red snapper, seafood soups, pasta, and salads, paella, veal, pork, chicken, Asian pork, chicken, seafood, vegetable, and noodle dishes, light Asian appetizers such as spring rolls or vegetable salads, Mexican pork, chicken, and seafood dishes, green salads, medium and creamy cheeses.
Ginesia Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo 2018 (OC, NF)
Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo is a cherry red dark rose made from Montepulciano d’Abruzzo grapes. Aromas include strawberries, ripe raspberries, and dark plums along with interesting hints of leather and tobacco. Flavors include cantaloupe, strawberries, Macintosh apples, and ripe watermelon. There is a medium body, perfect balance, mild acidity, and a fully saturated and memorable finish.
Food pairings would include salmon, tuna, mussels, fried anchovies, red seafood soups and chowders, grilled pork and chicken, pasta with light tomato sauces and oil and garlic, sausages and charcuterie, Indian Tandoori, mild red curries, Asian beef stir frys, and medium to hard cheeses.
