I don’t often get as excited about wines I’m tasting as I did in my latest episode on my YouTube channel. I reviewed three reds, all under twelve bucks. I had recently organized my modest wine closet and found some Salento Rosso, which have probably been there a couple of years or more. I thought it would be a good idea to review them and talk about this IGT that is located in Puglia, Italy. As my wife pointed out recently, sometimes it’s hard to tell if I’m excited or enthused about something. I was truly impressed and excited about the wines I reviewed, which I think comes across in the episode. One was a 2013 that retails for around eight bucks. I was simply amazed how well it aged over seven years. They were all good and I hope you get a chance to watch the episode.
Salento is an IGT that can make wines from fifty different varietals, which is quite unusual in old world wine making. The main grapes are Negroamaro and Ptimitivo, but they also like using Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot quite a bit. If the winery wants to make a specific varietal wine, it needs to be 85% of that specific grape. This appellation is located in Puglia which is in southern Italy, a spot in the world I have yet to go. I’ve been to Italy twice in my life, but never to the south. I hope to get there someday and visit a region that produces some outstanding wines. The IGT designation basically means they are table wines. The big boys (or girls if you like) carry the D.O.C or D.O.C.G. designation which also can mean they will cost you a little more. If I were you, I would spend some time seeking out the IGT wines from Salento. They represent some of the best values I have found.
The pandemic is fizzling out quickly now, which means that having tastings in person rather than on Zoom is just around the corner. Governor Inslee has declared that Washington State will be totally opened up to normal at the end of June. What’s interesting to watch is how many people are resisting the removing of masks, including our local health department. In the beginning of the pandemic, it was about following science. Now some folks are resisting the science. I read an article in the New York Times that quoted several health experts who are basically saying that the virus is in decay mode. It’s losing its edge and the nation is healing rapidly. Masks are coming off all over the U.S. and it’s because science says they are not necessary anymore. I’m now working on my fourteenth Zoom tasting event since the pandemic hit last March. It’s a nice option, but there is nothing like gathering together in person and tasting wines together along with the winemaker or portfolio manager. I am so ready!
I’m getting very close to 450 subscribers to my YouTube channel. It means so much to me to have such a large audience who appreciate the content I am putting out there on wine. I’ve featured many different wines and wine regions along with specific wineries. I enjoyed doing a recent episode on wine glasses and how they may affect how the wine tastes. I also think it is time to do another decanting episode and discuss the value of letting a wine breathe before drinking it. Even less expensive wines can benefit from a little decanting before consumption. I want to thank you for your support and if you haven’t subscribed to my channel yet, please give it some thought.
Cheers!
Stan The Wine Man
