Danilo Thomain Enfer D’Arvier 2008
Posted By Joel on November 1, 2010
Danilo Thomain Enfer D’Arvier 2008
I lay out loden-green woolen trousers and shirt, purchased at a second-hand shop. In the corner, carbon fiber hiking poles stand ready.
Backpack: Emmenthaler cheese; mountain bread; prosciutto di San Daniele; mineral water; Danilo Thomain Enfer d’Arvier 2008.
Word of the day: Up. Up, until the trees are below and the view opens to 50 clear miles in every direction. Sunny now. Stop: time for lunch.
Luckily, this wonderfully refreshing red, produced by Danilo Thomain from a tiny production area near Avier in Italy’s Vallee D’Aoste, is just as refreshing at table - or on the sofa - as it is on a good day of hiking 
The French word Enfer, or Hell, translates here as Hell of Arvier, referring to the area’s high solar exposure and intense summer heat trapped by mountain peaks.
Made from Petit Rouge, this high altitude red won me over with its spicy, sporting freshness. Lovers of Beaujolais are certain to appreciate this one.
Tasting Notes / Impresssions:
Medium ruby with purple highlights. Bright, clear, essential aromas of mixed berries, bracing scents of floral rose and spice. Honest and uncomplicated on the palate, the wine is round and velvety-soft in the mouth, good body. Hints of medicinal mountain herb on the finish. Exhilarating and delicious.
Food Pairing Suggestions:
Meats: chicken, turkey, duck, veal; cured meats; try thin, pan-fried veal cutlet topped with melted Fontina cheese; Stews: try a hearty bread stew layered with shredded cabbage, ham, and Fontina cheese. Polenta: in casserole with cabbage, carrots and pork, served with butter and Parmigiano; Vegetarian: Alpine fondue; bread and cheese soup; spinach and rice soup, broth enriched with egg; Cheeses: Fontina, Emmenthaler, Appenzeller
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About the author
Joel
Joel Mack has worked for a celebrated importer / distributor of Italian wines and continues to study the wines and winemaking of Italy. He has advised many restaurants in making their Italian wine list selections and has provided training to restaurant staff. Today, Joel conducts wine classes and leads specialized private and corporate tastings of Italian wines. Joel carried out his higher education at a highly regarded College of Music and continues to extend an artistic point of view to Italian wine, balanced with factual information about wine, its nature and identity. By day, he applies his time to collaborative software technology. Joel can be contacted at joel@vintrospective.com.Comments
2 Responses to “Danilo Thomain Enfer D’Arvier 2008”
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IMHO Enfer d’Arvier vintage 2008 is too young. Petit Rouge may be nice young (Torrette, for example, min 70% of Petit Rouge) but also to give pleasantly surprise with the time and the evolution in the bottle. Enfer was born like a wine for important events (someone calls Enfer “little Barolo from VdA”). Always IMHO there are only economical interest to produce and sell a wine so young… (sorry for my english…)
ah, Fabrizio, your thoughts bring new dimension to the topic ! thank you for sharing with readers and for taking the time to comment
–joel.