The T Edwards Italian/Spanish Portfolio

The downstairs banquet room at the Chinatown Brasserie has been a host for several wine events, but this time, the New York based distributor/importer T Edwards has reserved the whole main dining room to introduce their current and expanding Italian and Spanish portfolio.

Buscaretto vino rosato.

There are volumes of ordinary Italian wines out there, so it was inspiring to see many new labels, most being poured by the proprietors themselves. Americans have gotten themselves into a pinot grigio rut. Hopefully, some retailers/restaurants will get a good look at some of these interesting white alternatives like the Conti di Buscareto Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi which offered a pale dry wine with mouthfilling dried and fresh fruits and a long finish at about $11 to $12. Buscareto also has a seriously delicious sparkling rose wine made from 100% lacrima nero that comes in a unique, squat bottle that will sell for an exceptionally reasonable $9 to $10.



Another exciting new producer was Paolo Cotroneo of Fattoria la Rivolta based in Campania of southern Italy. His version of the ancient Roman varietals of greco, falanghina, coda di volpe and aglianico, found in the area were top-notch and better priced than any seen in the higher quality level. It was also good to revisit with Marco Ricasoli of Rocca di Montegrossi, which makes a benchmark for traditional Chinati Classico. Same for the traditional wines of Mauro Veglio from Piemonte.


On the Spanish side, a good introduction were the estate grown and bottled Cavas from Caves Avinyo. It's always nice to find more affordable sparklers and these had a distinctive, bright mousse, clean nose and palate and long fresh finish all for under $20. French and Spanish ciders are become more available and the Domaine Bordatto "Basa Jaun" cidre from French Pays Basque was memorable for being neither too sweet or too dry. Made from fifteen heritage apple varieties, this offers superb balance and a style for any food or occasion.

Once again the producer Luberri comes through with exquiste Rioja. Luberri is located in Alavesa which is actually outside of Rioja, across the border in Basque Country. The minerality of wines from Alavesa provide a tangy backbone to the bright red fruits of the tempranillo grape. On this afternoon they were showing a new joven (young style) bottling called Orlegi. It was youthfully vibrant, juicy and balanced. A great everyday wine that should be priced around $12.

Luberri's fine Rioja "Orlegi"