Why I Drink Wine: A Recommended Red from S. Italy

A brief overview of the fascinating effect wine has on our lives. I follow this expressive dialogue with a description of a red that connected me back to the passion I forget at times.

Life has become too predictable. With cell phones, not only can we reach out via text, dial, or email but we can actually drop pins on the exact location we are standing at and transmit to another device. With facebook we know every life event and habitual routine of acquaintances via ‘status update’. I do believe many people clock in and clock out of their job knowing exactly what every day will bring. I have to admit that I am part of a rare culture that embraces variables daily and continues to be fascinated.

I had a revelation tonight that once again renewed my passion for the industry I work in. There certainly is always the tangible element of tasting wine. With each pour and raise of the glass, we may have a general idea what to expect; however, every vintage reminds us how dynamic the vineyards and process of winemaking are. We can taste the charismatic essence of terroir from different parts of the world. A different combination of acid, tannins, dryness, aromas, flavors, and body will take us by surprise each time.

Mouthfeel aside, the impalpable aura of excitement shared with others is also completely unpredictable.  Preceding my evening with friends, I went for a long jog with the pup (a perpetual regularity in my daily lifestyle) and decided a big glass of vino would be the perfect way of unwinding after a long week. I tasted an intriguing red briefly with a New York retailer this past week and figured the proper follow up on the sale would be induced if I re-fueled my excitement for what the bottle offers. Check out Grapes the Wine Co. who has great online sales available to the entire US! My initial intention was to pour a glass while cleaning the house (how exhilirating!). The thought of sipping this exemplary representation of Southern Italy alone seemed wasteful. I called on a neighbor friend and her husband to accompany me for the ride. Within a few minutes of sitting there and taking in its beauty I realized that the feeling of complete bliss and relaxation with the company of others was exactly what I needed. We live in a world that is constantly running and continuously planning. If wine continues to stand for the most tastefully exciting and spontaneous event I engage in, I’ll be on board with selling it forever.

I went to the doctor a week ago and the woman was shocked at how low my heart rate was. She told me I must not have very much stress in my life and that I must exercise frequently. I work around the clock, I’m just passionate about what I do.

Prepared to be blown away: Vestini Campagnano Connubio 2006. Connubio translates to ‘a noble marriage’ and in this blend of Pallagrello Nero and Casavecchia, you’ll see the value in that meaning. If you are asking yourself, “what the heck are those varietals?”, don’t feel intimidated because most wine experts may not even be aware. From Campania in Southern Italy, the Vestini group discovered these two red grapes that were nearly extinct. With some genetic testing, they discovered that they date back to the Roman times. A submission to the Italian consortium and suddenly they’ve just thrown two new varietals on the map!

With each sip you’ll get the usual blackberry, currants, and spices you’d expect from a deep red; however, the real beauty in this wine lies within the balance. “I know I love this wine, but please explain why,” were the exact phrases from my 25 year old friend. I specify age because this is a serious wine and our younger generation even is understanding the value. I expressed the structure being one of medium acid and tannins creating harmony on the palate, especially while drinking by itself. The full body and subtle oak gives the wine grip with out overpowering. A rustic and earthy component gave us a fascinating connection to the soil where the grapes were pulled from. We all saluted the wine for having a smooth transition from the initial taste through the mid-palate and on to the finish… something that a youthful one would lack. Don’t forget to give this wine some aeration before pouring. Giving a bit of oxygen will allow the glass to open up, just as sipping on it will breathe a little life back into your day. Cheers!