Corte Fiorita Valpolicella DOC Ripasso 2006

This wine I bought from an internetshop called Wijnwagentje for €9,50 alcoholpercentage is 13,5%. Grape varieties corvina, rondinella and molinara, exact ratios not mentioned anywhere. After fermentation, the juice of this blend was put together with the waste, grape skins and seeds, of already fermented Amarone wine. A second fermentation for this Ripasso is the result, hence the name Ripasso, which literally means "pass again". It results in a richer aroma and flavour. The aroma of the oak maturation is the first what comes right at ya, so let it breath for a while. After having done this, a sweet aroma is apparent. It's low on tannines. The taste then: red fruit, berries but especially cherries. Next in line, from the second glass however, are chocolate, leather and tobacco flavours. Which means this is a multi layered wine, usually referred to as being "complex". When someone uses that word, he means that the wine is very good. All good wines tend to be complex. With each glass, with each sip even, you will discover new impressions. Acids are there of course, but a perfect balance is what characterizes this wine. This bottle I shared with my brother-in-law who also enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately this wine is all sold out.

Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2006 Chianti Classico DOCG

#Twittertasting. Tuesday September 13th 20:30 hrs Amsterdam Time. Live twitter report on the theme Chianti Classico. I did not have one stored in my cellar so I especially bought one at the MAKRO for €16,41 alcoholpercentage is 13%. The main grape variety is the sangiovese, with a minimum of 80%, supplemented with cabernet sauvignon and merlot, exact ratios not mentioned on the label nor on their website.

#In the glass and already for two hours in the carafe: Ruffino Riserva Ducale 2006 Chianti Classico DOCG. #Walking towards the fluorescent light. Colour: dark ruby-red with an edge leaning towards brown. #Good, transferring it to the carafe did the trick. Hardly any oak noticeable, just a hint of vanilla. #Very fresh in the nose: minty, Fishermans Friend even! Also some liquorice. Looks like I walked into a candy store! #Wow, the freshness enters my mouth. Good, cool temperature. Red fruit, especially cherry. Low on tannines. #Surely no taste buds bomb. It lingers on the lower part of the mouth. Short final. The acidity could have been higher. #That first fresh impression I had, seems to be nothing more than a thin, watery taste. It doesn't heat me up! #After spitting it out the whole time, I will now swallow it; perhaps that will make a difference. #This certainly is no complex wine, which I had expected for that price. It goes to show you: prices don't mean shit! #Nope, even swallowing doesn't add anything. At most maybe a headache, but I won't know that until tomorrow morning. #I can't make anymore of this Chianti Classico. I will go on drinking this bottle, but the tweets will stop here. #Twexit.

Gran Sasso DOC Trebbiano d'Abruzzo 2010

This wine I bought from an internetshop called Villa Vino for €6,08 alcoholpercentage is 12%. The grape variety in Italy is called trebbiano, but this is the same as the variety from France which is better known as ugni blanc. A grape which is known for its high acidity, but in this wine this seems to be missing. Light pale yellow in the glas, slightly aromatic, no real distinctive aroma however. At first you can taste its moderate sweetness, then there is some nutty flavour, I call it Brazil nut. Acidity is there but certainly not as high as expected. The wine gets a bit chubby, as I call it, there's not enough tension.