This month’s featured producers are “Il” by Mionetto from the Valdobbiadene region of Veneto in Italy and Carl Graff from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany.

Carl Graff

www.valckenberg.com

Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

The Carl Graff estate was founded in 1860 and acquired by P. J. Valckenberg in 1969. Carl Graff estate wines and winery bottling’s are made exclusively from 100% Riesling grapes grown in the steep vineyards of the Middle Mosel, Saar and Ruwer valleys. In a joint venture with the famous Dr. Loosen estate all Graff wines from the Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Prälat site are made entirely by winemaker Ernst Loosen out of Estate grown fruit. The Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region (10.000 ha / 25.000 acres) with its steep south facing slopes and the stony slate soil provides the perfect microclimate for the Riesling grape.

Graff Piesporter Michelsberg Kabinett Riesling- 2002
$9.99

If you like Bbq, this is the wine for you.  The wine is full of raspberry and cherry flowers and finishes with moderate tannins and toasty vanilla oak.

Graff Piesporter Michelsberg Spatlese Riesling - 2002
$9.99

Slightly sweet Piesporter with pear, apple, lemon, and subtle apricot notes with focused acidity. Great with Pad Thai and spicy Southwestern style pork chops.

Graff Piesporter Goldtropchen Spatlese Riesling - 2002
$14.99

A nice semi-sweet Riesling for summer. Granny Smith apple, apricot, Bosc pear, and citrus characters dominate the palate. Nicely balanced with good acidity. A great pairing with Szechuan scallops or Tandoori chicken.

Graff Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese Riesling - 2002
$15.99

The Wehlener Sonnenuhr is a little richer and fuller-bodied than the Pies porter Goldtropchen Spatlese. Slightly sweet with green apple, custard, pear, and apricot notes with bright acidity. Try with curried halibut or a spicy ceviche.

Graff Piesporter Michelsberg Auslese Riesling - 2002
$18.99

Rich and medium-bodied Riesling that’s subtly sweet. Apricot, pear, citrus, apple, and subtle honey notes mark this German beauty. Made by legendary German winemaker Ernst Loosen. Fantastic with chicken with spicy mango chutney or Creole crab cakes with spicy remoulade.

Graff Piesporter Michelsberg Auslese Riesling - 2002
$14.99

This delicious Riesling is sweet, but not cloying. Apricot, honey, pear, and lemon are noticeable on the palate with a lingering finish. Try with Vindaloo chicken or a summer fruit trifle.

“il” by Mionetto

www.mionettousa.com

www.ilsparkling.com

The Mionetto winery, producer of Prosecco, is located in the Veneto region of Italy . The Veneto is famous for the Prosecco grape and the ancient city of Venice.

The Prosecco zone, located in the Veneto , is comprised of an area between the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. This is the only place in the world where the Prosecco grape grows.

In the sunny hillsides just north of Venice lies Valdobbiadene: a generous land of ancient traditions where time seems to stand still and life proceeds at a peaceful rhythm. A land where everything - wine cellars and vineyards, taverns and ancient villas, churches and piazzas - is authentic, romantic and marked by a tradition of gracious hospitality and fine cuisine.

Valdobbiadene, beloved by Trevisian and Venetian nobility of the past for its mild climate and breathtaking scenery, today is inextricably tied to its most famous product: wine from the Prosecco grape.

The Mionetto family has been producing Prosecco wine in the very heart of Valdobbiadene since 1887. Their great passion, dedication and skill have made Mionetto one of the most appreciated wines in the world, placing it at the top of special request lists in chic locations from New York to London to Tokyo .

Sergio Mionetto, the master vintner and esteemed wine connoisseur, personally oversees every step of the processing, from grape-picking to bottling, thus ensuring the quality standards that have earned international recognition, awards and accolades.

The Valdobbiadene winemaker's art is full of long-standing traditions which the Mionetto Company has preserved, including the ancient custom of using string-tied corks, a rustic characteristic of the Valdobbiadene wines of the past lovingly maintained by Mionetto to this day.

“il” Rose -
$9.99

A unique sparkling rose from the Valdobbiadene. It is dry, but bright and lively with subtle cherry, raspberry, and rose notes. Great by itself or with spicy grilled salmon.

“il” Moscato -
$9.99

A sweet and refreshing sparkler from the Valdobbiadene region of Veneto. It is perfumed on the nose with citrus and melon on the palate. A great switch from Asti (it’s not as sweet). Try with a fresh fruit salad or pavlova.