From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Arneis
Taste: “In anticipation of a meal and tasting with Marco Tintero himself, my colleagues and I recently twisted our way up and over a harrowing stretch of roughly paved, vineyard-flanked roads to Marco’s bed-and-breakfast in Mango, about thirty kilometers east of Barolo. The property sits atop a deliriously undulating, scenic area of the region known for its sunlit parcels of Moscato and other native grape varieties. As we sat around Marco’s table, I had the most revelatory moment with a freshly cracked bottle of his cold, pear-scented, and delicately floral Langhe Arneis, which couldn’t be a lovelier or more refreshing table wine. Marco served it alongside an insalata bergera, a classic Piemontese salad featuring celery, toasted walnuts, and shaved bits of toma cheese and black truffle, all drizzled with richly flavored olive oil. The textures of these ingredients along with the savory flavors of the nuts, salty cheese, and earthy truffle mingled so beautifully with this delightful bianco that I was reminded a spectacular meal never requires the most expensive wine around.”
—Jane Augustine, KLWM
Pairing: With its aromas of blossom, fresh pear, apricots and a hint of hazelnut, these white wines drink well on their own or alongside light summer dishes. They are the perfect partner for garlicky seafood spaghetti, platters of roasted vegetables and light summer salads. Some specific ideas include pairing this gorgeous white wine alongside Frittelle di Zucchine (Zucchini Patties), Grilled Marinated Swordfish (Italian Style), risotto cakes or risotto with mushrooms or shrimp, Mediterranean Aubergine rolls, clam linguine, pasta with mushrooms, or our favorite— a delicious weeknight pasta with rotisserie chicken (check it out below).
Rotisserie Chicken and Greens Pasta
By Christian Reynoso
About. Many thanks to importer Kermit Lynch Wine Merchants for the following information!In 1900 a Frenchman named Pierre Tintero set out for Piedmont in search of work. He found an opportunity to do odd jobs at a small estate where widow Rosina Cortese was struggling to handle all the work herself. Pierre, called “Pietrin” by the locals, quickly became a vital part of the estate and also fell in love with the widow, whom he married two years later. The couple continued to work the vines together and bottled their own Dolcetto for the first time just as war fell in 1914. Years later their grandson would find a stash of this vintage hidden within the walls of the cellar, certainly a precaution against ransacking troops who passed through the area.
Pietrin and Rosina’s two sons, Giovanni and Carlo, eventually took over the estate and expanded it by purchasing adjacent vineyard plots. Moscato was just a tiny part of their production since it is only practical to produce it in large quantities, but after the Second World War giants Cinzano and Martini began producing the wine, so the brothers planted more of the variety to sell to these negociants while they continued bottling their still wines themselves. It was not until the 1980s that Carlo’s son Elvio began experimenting with the challenging process of frizzante wine production, allowing the family to take advantage of the grape’s special affinity to the local terroir. Elvio has now handed the reins over to the next generation, but he continues to help his son Marco and daughter-in-law Cinzia run the estate.
The commune of Mango is the heart of Moscato country, and 20 of the Tinteros’ 30 hectares are planted to this grape. Their largest parcel is in the Sorì Gramella vineyard, whose full southern exposure and gradient of more than 20% pamper the grapes with many long hours of sunshine, without even casting shadows from one row to the next as is the case in most vineyards. The resulting wine is delightfully fizzy and slightly sweet, an irresistible combination that makes it a universal favorite. Marco also maintains that same spirit in his other wines, which are all fresh, easy, and fun to drink with friends.