2015 Sottimano ‘Maté’ Dry Brachetto

Price: $23
Region: Piemonte < Italy 
Grapes: Brachetto
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming, 30-year old vines, fermented/aged in stainless steel, bottled unfined/unfiltered; low added SO2
Winemaker: Andrea Sottimano

Geeky wine alert – this is a rare DRY Brachetto (the grape is almost always made into a sweet sparkling wine) from Andrea Sottimano, one of the most important producers in Piemonte.  Andrea and his father Rino farm 13 hectares of Nebbiolo for the Cru Barbarescos for which they are famous, and one tiny vineyard of 30-year old Brachetto vines, which gets the same meticulous care and attention as the big boys. The aromatics here are insane, like a big basket of red rose petals, fresh herbs and red cherries.  Bright ruby color, medium-bodied and supple, this is a sexy wine, with more rose on the palate plus violet and exotic Indian spices like cardamom and curry. But happily the exotic flavors don’t overpower, making it an unexpected and versatile food pairing – light enough to work with fish, but complex enough to work with charcuterie or red meat. Also great with a slight chill. A most delicious and interesting wine, very festive and holiday-esque.