Posted By Joel on October 13, 2011

Az. Agr. Biologica / Giobatta Vio “U Bastio” Rossese di Albenga 2010

I’m standing on a train platform in Munich where S-Bahn trains clatter by me toward their destinations, one after the other, in a blur of alternating color:

redwhiteredwhiteredwhite.

redwhiteredwhiteredwhite.

A rather timely visual - I am, at the moment, considering whether it’ll be a red or white wine with the fish entrée I plan to order later tonight.

Actually, this year, I have met several red wines that drank fantastically when paired to fish entrees, exceptional among them: Az. Agr. Biologica / Giobatta Vio “U Bastio” Rossese di Albenga.

Az. Agr. Biologica is to be found in Italy’s Liguria, a region famous for gorgeous beaches and sensational pesto, a region whose list of things celebrated should, I am convinced, include this super bottle of red greatness.

Proprietor Giobatta Vio, called Aimone, established the estate in 2000 and quickly gained a cult following among wine appassionati. Az. Agr. Biologica is certified organic and produces its wines without use of herbicides, pesticides or fertilizers.

The wine is made from 100% Rossese grapes grown at 100m altitude in the production area of Coasco Bastia d’Albenga. Fermented in stainless steel, the wine sees 4 months of time on the lees and additional refinement in bottle for 2 months.

Tasting Notes / Impressions:

Intriguing garnet color. On day 1, ripe berries and floral tones with forest floor, ripe strawberries and hints of pepper. Tannins are low, but more than I expected. Day 2, the wine developed a bit more bottom with darker notes of fruit and herb. Day 3, showing roses and herbs, suggestions of raisin and eucalyptus. An amazing evolution. Would love to taste another day or two but can’t make it last any longer ;-). Sensational.

Food Pairing Suggestions:

Loved this wine with pan fried flounder, pasta “puttanesca”, and spinach with garlic / olive oil. Consider serving this wine with baked chicken breast with oil-cured herbed olives, capers, and orange slices. Young cheeses and cured meats.

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Categories: $ (Under $25), Liguria, Wine
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