Austria’s flagship estate and pioneer of biodynamics, the estate of Brigitte and Gerhard Pittnauer produces some of the country’s best wines. And they also make many affordable wines, with the same concern for transparency and authenticity, like this one. Made from a blend of zweigelt with 30% blaufränkisch, it offers a slightly tight nose, with aromas of black fruit, with notes of black earth, spices and flowers. The palate is fresh, tense and delicious. Very dry, light, it reveals fine tannins which provide chewiness. Praised by Eric Asimov in the New York Times, it sells for US$19 in New York. On the domain’s website, it costs 19.80 euros. I’ll let you do the conversions and rejoice at the price we pay here. It will be perfect with pizzas with tomatoes, sausage or green vegetables.
Silvio Messana cultivates his vines biodynamically in the hills southwest of Florence. He works with great gentleness, observation and reflection, and produces lively and unique wines. Rosso Toscana, a very refined expression of Sangiovese, transports us to this landscape of cypresses and olive trees. Pale in color, very fine on the nose, it develops melted aromas of undergrowth, morello cherry, tobacco and herbs. The palate is tasty and complex, carried by ripe fruit, and rather nourishing considering its low alcohol level. Lots of freshness and light tannins complete the picture and give a wine with strength and a certain depth, but above all very tasty. And of course, as a good Italian wine, it calls the table. Perfect for classic tomato-based pizzas, or even osso buco, sausage and rapini pasta, eggplant parmigiana.
Arianna Occhipinti is an outstanding winemaker, who works with love and determination to offer us in bottle her corner of the country, in the south-east of Sicily. The SP68 vintage, made from Frato and Nero d’Avola, is certainly a light wine. A look at the comments on the SAQ website shows that not everyone likes it. And that’s okay! Thank goodness we are all different. But here I come to the defense of this wine, light yes, but invigorating and drinkable, with strength and chew and, above all, authentic and transparent. Pale, with a fine nose full of small red fruits, scrubland and anise, it charms with a tonic and lively palate. Gourmand and easy to drink, with a hint of tannins, it calls for a second glass and the table. Top your pizzas with tomatoes, capers, olives and anchovies!