A Taste of Umbria

Well sorry New Jersey, we have bid you a fond adieu.  Mano a Vino began in Montclair, NJ and we had a lot of fun there. Our wine coverage tried to keep to wines you could buy in New Jersey. But we have moved north across the Hudson River to the glorious area called the Hudson Highlands. We will still be reporting from there but mostly from hudsonvalleypleasures.com and newyorkcorkreport.com 

While we have you let me share a pairing of Barberani Polago Red.

A delightful Umbrian wine that Kerin O’Keefe Italian Editor for the Wine Enthusiast describes as "Here’s a savory blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano that opens with aromas of meat juice, soil, prune and plum. The palate offers juicy black cherry, raspberry, mint and tobacco, with hints of truffle and underbrush in a ripe, ready-to-enjoy style. 88 Points Wine Enthusiast 

We totally agree and it is a very affordable wine if you can find it.

Located in one of our favorite Italian cities, Orvieto, the winery was founded 55 years ago by Vittorio Barberani who wanted to produce fine wine for his bars in the region. He found a beautiful plot along Corbara Lake where he and his family worked together grow the grapes and make their wine.

It began with the great Orvieto Classico with Trebbiano Procanico and Grechetto grapes. The winery grew and they began to distribute their wines to nearby restaurants.

In time the next generation Luigi and Giovanna Barberani took a bigger role. Recognizing the quality of their land and favorable climate they decided to focus on making exceptional boutique wines. They adopted more modern wine making techniques and seeing the growing demand for great Italian wine around the world they looked greater things.

Today a third generation, Niccolo and Bernardo are forwarding the work of the family with a passion and love that can only come from so many years of working the land.

"We are strongly linked to the tradition of the Orvieto, where we live and where we try to combine tradition and innovation with an eye to sustainable agriculture and love for our wonderful country" Niccolo’ B.

"Our commitment to our business is very rewarding. We continue developing new ideas to innovate what the family has built in 50 years of history, with great passion, skill and dedication" Bernardo B.

For this wine I made this fabulous orecchiette with sauteed mushrooms, pancetta, onion and parsley. Sauce of white wine chicken stock, and arrowroot powder.  

So very good.  

Found at Yanittelli Cold Spring Liquor Store

Barberani Vineyards