Super Bowl Sunday is almost here! While the game is the focus of the day (or maybe the halftime show, if you’re a Justin Timberlake fan), food and drink always play supporting roles. If this is the year you want to veer away from beer, add a touch of class to your Super Bowl party by picking up a bottle of Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Riserva Chianti Classico 2014. Oh, Patriots fans, the label happens to be blue with a red helmet, uh… cap.
Tasting Notes: A blend of Sangiovese with touches of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, this wine is brimming with tart cherries, violets, tobacco and spices. Firm tannins and balanced acidity give it great structure and as a Riserva, it has seen extended aging in oak and in bottle, helping blend the flavours.
Enjoy With: Burgers, nachos, pulled pork, ribs… all your game-day favourites!
Style: A medium to Fullback, uh… full-bodied red wine, lively and sleek.
Terroir/Region: Barone Ricasoli is located in central Italy’s famed Chianti region in Tuscany, just over 1090 football fields from the western coast of the boot. The rolling hillsides and elevation of the Chianti Classico zone allow grapes to ripen very evenly, building great freshness and fruit flavours in the region’s wines. The small valleys and corners of Chianti create different conditions (microclimates) and allow each producer to show its unique identity in its wines.
Producer: The family’s origins go back to the 7th century and include such legends as ‘Iron Baron’ Bettino Ricasoli who, after serving as the 2nd Prime Minister of Italy, invented the modern formula for Chianti in 1872. But the winery’s history goes back beyond Bettino: in fact, Barone Ricasoli is the oldest winery in Italy. The current Barone, Francesco Ricasoli, has rededicated all 235 hectares of the family’s vineyards (that’s over 440 football fields sports fans) to renewing the quality and elegance of the region’s wines.
Availability: The 2014 Barone Ricasoli Rocca Guicciarda Riserva Chianti Classico will be released this Saturday, February 3rd at Vintages, but some stores will already have it on shelf. Shop early to beat the pre-kick-off rush!
Price: $24.95
LCBO#: 943613
Size: 750 mL
Alcohol Content: 13.5% alc./vol.
