Ciao Tutti!

This week at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste two Chiantis, the Chianti Classico DOCG ($28.99, ABV 13%) and the Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Radda ($61.95, 13% ABV) from the Istine winery in Radda in Chianti, Toscana. Founder Bruno Fronti’s first business was Agrichianti, for the construction and management of vineyards. In 1982, he planted a vineyard to grow grapes for bulk consumption. 

After his daughter Angela graduated with a degre in enology, she soon convinced her father and his brother that they needed to up their game and create their own label. After all, they were blessed with a location in the historic Chianti Classico designation, as the black rooster decal stamped on the neck of the bottle signifies. Another asset was that their 26 hectares of vineyards, in separate plots, are some of the highest vineyards in the Chianti region that imparts elegance and freshness to their wines. Their first harvest was in 2009, and they achieved organic certification seven years later.

Angela soon became a rising star in Chianti wine and seven years later, the winery was certified organic.  From the 2012 vintage forward, Angela began separate vinification of  their Sangiovese grapes to reflect the vineyard of origin. Now, in addition to the Istine Chianti Classico, they produce three different ‘crus’ of Chianti Classico coming from three distinct vineyard sites: Casanova dell’Aia, Cavachione and Istine. Each cru is vinified identically so the  unique characteristics of each specific terroir can be identified. The graphics on the cru labels are abstract representations of each vineyard.

 For Chianti lovers, this is a great opportunity to taste two levels of Chianti from a master winemaker. Angela Fronti’s Chianti Classico DOCG’s has scents of balsamic and ripe plum on the nose, followed by fruity black raspberry and cherry on the palate with a minerally finish.  I have not yet tried the Vigna Istine, but my trusted wine sources described its scents of mountain herbs on the nose, followed by juicy red blackberries on the palate-works for me! Many of our customers have already discovered the Istine Chianti Classico but if you have not yet tried it, come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45. Then go to the next level and enjoy a taste of the Vigna Istine-we also have stocked bottles from the two other vineyards too. 

Cin Cin!

Jenn

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Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center at 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD. 

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste the Otto Uve Gragnano Penisola Sorrentina Rosso Frizzante DOC  ($21.50, 11.5% ABV) from the Salvatore Martusciello winery in Pozzuoli, a municipality of the City of Naples in Campania. 

“Otto Uve”  (Eight Grapes) is named for the number of grape varieties that comprise this wine, including the best known Aglianico and Piedirosso grapes. Gragnano is considered to be the quintessential red wine of Naples and the idyllic pairing for authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Pozzuoli is the main city on the Phlegraen Peninsula, famous for its Campi Flegrei, the 24 craters and volcanic structures underneath the Bay of Naples. The ancient Romans believed that the gaseous Solfatara crater was the gateway to the Underworld to the domain of Vulcan, the God of Fire. The area’s sandy soil that covers the volcanic rock protected the area’s vines in the late 19th century when the disease phylloxera swept through Europe’s vineyards and decimated the grapes.

Salvatore Martusciello began working at his family’s Grotta del Sole vineyards and he soon became known for his dedication to preserving and extolling Campania’s indigenous grapes that had been almost forgotten.  His dedication led to his becoming the champion of  wines from the Campi Flegrei and Vesuvius. In 1991, he left his family’s estate and with his wife Gilda, established their own vineyard. Salvatore is a very hands-on winemaker and he even delivers wine to customers so he can explain to them the wine’s special characteristics that he loves so well! 

Their Otto Uve Gragnanao is not your traditional red wine. Slightly fizzy, best served chilled, fruit forward (strawberry, raspberry), light tannins, balanced acidity. Perfetto to pair with Piazza’s cured meat and cheese platters; fried foods, and my fave pairing, Piazza’s pizza on Friday!

If you have not yet tasted this refreshing red wine, come join me on Friday from noon to 5:45 or noon to 4:45 and take home a Piazza pizza!

Cin Cin, 

Jenn

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Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center at 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

This week at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste a new Rose’ that we are considering for our collection , the Scala Ciro’ Rosato ($19.50,13% ABV), from the Azienda Scala winery in Torricella di San Biagio in Calabria’s Ciro Marina area overlooking the Ionian Sea. I love the bold graphics of its eye-catching label as it reminded me of my own Architect business card. 

The Ciro Rosato is 100% Gaglioppo grape, Calabria’s flagship grape. “Gaglioppo” translates from the Greek as “beautiful foot”, an apt description for a region that contains the toes and entire ball of  Italy’s foot. One of oldest varieties, wine from this grape was offered to winners in the Olympic Games. The city of Ciro’ was famous in ancient times for its temple devoted to wine (my kind of people!) 

The winery was founded in 1949 by Antonio Scala and passed on in 2005 to his son Luigi, whose son Francesco joined the business in 2008. Francesco manages both the 13 hectares of the family’s vineyards and also the cellar. Even though current appellation laws allow up to 20% of other non-variety grapes in a wine, the Scala family strictly adheres to tradition and continues to make their Cirò Rosato with 100% Gaglioppo grapes, as they do with the grapes of  the other four wines in their portfolio. 

Calabria’s clay soils, rolling hills and particular microclimate (long, hot summers with temperature fluctuations) of Ciro’s location between the Apennine Mountains and the Ionian Sea create a unique terroir. Organic farming is easy but the main challenges are finding and keeping, staff in Italy’s poorest region and the presence of wild boars!

The Scala Ciro Rosato is the perfect antidote to Calabria’s very spicy cuisine in which the pepperoncino is dominant. This Rosato is dry, fresh and rounded with notes of spicy peach, watermelon and blood orange. Perfetto as an aperitivo or to enjoy throughout a summer meal. 

Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 for a refreshing taste of this Rosato and cast your vote yay or nay for Piazza to add it to our wine selections.

Cin Cin!

Jenn

Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste the Soave DOC, 2023, ($16.99, ABV 11.5%), a white wine from the Tamellini Winery in Soave, near Verona in the Veneto. The family Tameillini had been winemakers for several generations, but two brothers, Gaetano and Pio Francesco, wanted to take their legacy to the next level. Their goal was to create a stellar Soave that would set them apart from other winemakers and they founded  their own winery in 1998. 

Their label of two brothers holding a yoke of a large bunch of grapes illustrates their equal division of labor for Soave. Gaetano takes care of the growth and production of their vineyards while Pio is the winemaker who transforms the Veneto region’s signature grape, Garganega, into Soave. Their vineyard covers 30 hectares in the Soave DOC area of production that was established in 1968.

The medieval town of Soave was once a strategically located fortress equidistant from Verona and Vicenza. Writings from the Roman era show that wine has always been made in this area, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that Soave was among Italy’s best-selling wines.  The grapes for the Francesco brothers’ DOC Soave is grown on the valley floors at the foot of the Lessini Mountains. The deeper, more fertile volcanic soils are rich in clay and sedimentary material, which makes their Soave DOC wine crisp, with refreshing acidity and minerality.

Soave’s primary flavors are ripe pear, white peach, and green apple. I like to pair it with seafood risotto, grilled shrimp, roast chicken, salads with a citrus vinaigrette or grilled veggies. Since Friday is the beginning of the dog days of August and a glass of chilled Soave. This wine is best served in a glass with a narrow bowl and opening, to maximize the fragrant and floral aromas and intense velvety flavor with a hint of the perfect antidote to August’s hot, humid days. 

Soave has long been a customer favorite but if you have not yet tasted it, come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from Noon to 4:45.

Cin Cin!

Jenn

August Wine Dinner: Check Piazza’s website for info on our next wine dinner on Saturday, August 9th, celebrating wines from the Dogliani region of Piemonte. Emily and Chef Chris have compiled another stellar four-course dinner accompanied by wines from the Dogliani production area. Cost is $90/person; tickets are available online now. 

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Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center at 218 N. Washington St., Suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste a new wine in our collection, the De Fermo Rosso 2023 ($28.99, 12.5% ABV) from the De Fermo winery in Loreto Aprutino in Abruzzo. This region’s geography is long and narrow and is located between the Adriatic Sea to the east and the snow- capped  10,000 foot high Gran Sasso, which is part of the Apennine range.  

De Fermo is a story about wine but it began as a love story. Proprietors Stefano Papetti and Eloisa De Fermo met while studying law in Bologna. They discovered their mutual love of wine and Stefano was intrigued to learn that since the 18th century, Eloisa’s family had a large farm with a vineyard, but the grapes were only sold to cooperatives. From a very young age, Stefano had been intrigued by the aroma of wine. He even bought bottles of wine to smell the wine’s aroma so he could better understand what he was reading in his mother’s cookbooks!

Stefano’s first visit to Eloisa family farm was in 2007 and soon he was visiting the farm on weekends, which led to their courtship and marriage. The couple abandoned their law studies to become winemakers at the family estate.  Stefano found a long abandoned winery, dating from 1785, on the grounds that was buried under the family’s house. Stefano began restoration of the winery and then began making wine. The couple took over the farm management in 2009 and launched their first vintage in 2010. 

From the beginning, Stefano and Eloisa banned chemicals from their vineyard, adopted biodynamics in 2008 and became certified a few years later. In addition to the 17 hectares of grape vines, the 420 acre diversified estate includes 20 hectares of olive trees, and parcels of herbs, legumes and grazing land for the cows.  De Fermo is now among Italy’s largest biodynamic estates. They neither use nor add yeasts and they don’t control fermentation temperatures. They also do not fine and/or filter their wines.

“De Fermo” translates as “ from a standstill” and is an apt name for the winery’s  trajectory from a source of bulk wine to its reputation today as one of the finest sources of Abruzzo wine. This highest level of quality soon captured the attention of  the legendary wine importer Neal Rosenthal. He had been searching for years for a producer partner in the special Abruzzo terroir and he welcomed Stefano and Eloisa to his family of growers.  

De Fermo’s Vino Rosso is 100% Montepulciano grape and is aged in concrete for 12 months, with aromatics of wild strawberries and dark cherries, juicy and fresh with smooth tannins-enjoy it slightly chilled for its maximum effect. 

Come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 to taste this popular grape. 

Cin Cin!

Jenn

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Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town shopping center at 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, our weekly wine tasting is postponed until next weekend since tomorrow morning I will be on my way to TN to attend a baby shower for my great niece’s first baby. 

While I will be swilling Prosecco at the baby shower, I offer my suggestions of four new wines we have added to Piazza’s collection for your weekend consideration: a Prosecco, a Rose’, a White and a Red. All of them have cards labeled “NEW,” so check them out and try one or two that appeal to you!  Two of them are from my fave importer, Rosenthal Wine Merchant, founded by Neal Rosenthal in 1977 as a one-man retail operation in New York City. Rosenthal is now a well-known importer and distributor of fine wines and his wine selections are spot-on. 

Sparkling: Adriano Adami “Garbel” Prosecco Treviso DOC ($18.50,11% ABV):

Emily discovered this prosecco recently when one of our other selections was temporarily out of stock. “Garbel” in the local dialect means “ a dry, crisp, white wine” and is produced in the hilly vineyards of Treviso in the Veneto. Its nose of complex fruit notes make it a great celebratory wine or makes even a weekday a celebration. The winemaker suggests it is best enjoyed in a white wine glass instead of a traditional flute. 

Rosato’: San Fereolo Vino Rosato “La Lupa” ($38.75, 13% ABV):

The image of the She Wolf (La Lupa), is a popular subject for Italian winemakers. According to Roman mythology, La Lupa rescued the twins Romulus and Remus who had been abandoned in a basket that was floating along the Tiber River. The twins grew up to found Rome. Take a close look at the label-La Lupa is standing with a glass of wine in her hand, and it is obvious she is celebrating “au naturel”. Winemaker Nicoletta Bocca founded San Fereolo in 1992 and Rosenthal considers her La Lupa to be a seriously made Rose’, instead of a light wine, made from primarily the Dolcetto grape, with a very small amount of Gewurztraminer. Orange pink in color with a fruity taste-La Lupa is definitely unique!

White: Sergio Mottura “Fragugnano” Orvieto DOC ($22.50,14% ABV) :

Many of you will recognize winemaker Sergio Mottura’s distinctive label of a porcupine in various joyful positions-his La Torre a Civitella, which is my fave Grechetto, is temporarily out of stock. As I wrote when we first tasted this wine, the label pays tribute to the porcupine who re-emerged in the vineyard when the estate stopped using herbicides and pesticides.  “Fragugnano” is equal parts Grechetto and Procanico, so I am quite eager to try this wine that the restauranteur and wine author Joseph Bastianich considers to be the “Master of Grechetto”.

Il Provinciale Langhe Nebbiolo DOC ($22.50, 14.5% ABV):

Another wine from Rosenthal’s San Fereolo winery, this is a wine that both Nebbiolo fans and newcomers to this grape can appreciate. Its deep ruby hue conveys the wine’s richness; on the nose, a bouquet of ripe cherries and raspberries unfolds with a pinch of spice; vibrant structure, full bodied, with a taste of plums, red berries, and subtle hints of dried herbs with earthy undertones.   Nebbiolo is the progenitor of both Barolo and Barbaresco so if you like a wine with complex aromas, high acidity, and firm tannins, this one’s for you!

Whichever wine you choose, enjoy your weekend and I look forward to seeing you all at next weekend’s wine tasting when we will taste another new wine!

Cin Cin,

Jenn 

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Piazza Italian Market is an Italian specialty grocery located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center, 218 N Washington St, Easton, MD 21601.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Ciao Tutti!

Since today is July 4th, Piazza will be closed so our weekly tasting will only be on Saturday. We will be tasting a new Rosato to possibly add it to our collection, the Marangona Riviera Del Garda Classico DOP Chiaretto ($22.25, 12.5% ABV). 

The Marangona winery is located in Pozzolengo, Lombardia, very near the southern shores of Lake Garda, Italy’s largest lake. The lake is a natural heat reservoir and the towering Alps protect the basin around the lake from the cold winds from the north, which produces a Mediterranean climate. “Marangona” was the name of a bell that was rung to signify the end of the workday and the farm still has this bell.  ‘Chiaretto’ is derived from the word ‘chiaro’ (pale) and is required by DOC law on rosato wines produced on the shores of Lake Garda. 

Winemaker Alessandro Cutolo and his wife, Laura, are the fourth generation of the Cutolo family to run the estate, and their organic vineyard covers 30 hectares.

The Marangona Chiaretto is 50% Gropello, 30% Marzemino, 10% Barbera and 10% Sangiovese.   This mix results in classic aromas of rose petals, strawberries, and raspberries, minerality that gives it structure and juicy acidity. A perfect beginning to your July 4th feast that also pairs well with seafood and grilled salmon, chicken or pork. 

The Marangona Riviera Del Garda Classico DOP is a limited production so come join me Saturday from noon to 4:45 to taste this delicious Rosato!

Cin Cin and Happy Fourth of July!

Jenn

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Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center at 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Stephanie Wooton, chair of the Chesapeake Bay Herb Society Garden Committee, will present a clinic on garden pests, diseases, and problems at the society’s July 10 meeting.

Now retired, Wooton has worked in several nurseries including Garden Treasures and Unity Nursery here on the Shore.  Born in Germany, she spent her youth in many countries due to her father’s diplomatic career.  She obtained a degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin before moving east where she married and raised two sons.  Work at a garden center in Frederick led Wooton to pursue her horticulture degree from the University of Maryland, College Park.

These days she says she continues to “play (toil!) in my own garden with two (un)helpful cats.”

The society usually meets the second Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at Christ Church, 111 S. Harrison Street, Easton.  Meetings include an herbal potluck dinner, a short business meeting and a presentation on an herb-related topic.  The theme for the July meeting is herbs of Argentina (bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, and tarragon).

CBHS was formed in 2002 to share knowledge of herbs with the local community.  The group maintains the herb garden at Pickering Creek Audubon Center.

For more information, call 301-452-2813 or visit the society’s Facebook page.

Ciao Tutti!

This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will bring back a favorite red wine from our Valle d’Aosta wine dinner several years ago, the Rouge de Vallee ($20.50, 13% ABV) from the La Kiuva winery in  Pied de Ville, a small hamlet within the town of Arnad. The French names are indicative of this small region’s first settlers, Celts and Ligures, who were later overwhelmed by the Roman Emperor Augustus. The Emperor gave the region its name  (Valle d’Aosta = Valley of Augustus).  After enduring three other invaders, Valle d’Aosta joined the Risorgimento and became part of Italy. Today, more than 50% of Aostians speak Italian, Aostian French and Valdotain, an ancient Provencal dialect, hence the French names of the region’s indigenous grapes. 

The Valle d’Aosta shares its border with France to the west, Switzerland to the north, and Piemonte to the south and east. Valle d’Aosta is a very mountainous regions that contains four of  Europe’s top peaks, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the Matterhorn.  Valle d’Aosta has a central valley that spans over 50 miles and other individual valleys that branch off the main valley. The mountains surround the plains where La Kiuva is located.

Given the scarcity of land, La Kiuva (lah-kee-OO-vah) is a cooperative of over 50 grower members who tend about 15 hectares of vineyards. They named the winery “Kiuva” which means in the local dialect “sheaf of leaves”. The sheaves are gathered in the fall for feeding livestock throughout the winter. “Kiuva” also playfully refers to the Italian phrase “chi uva” or literally “who grape”. The vineyards cling to the steep slopes of granite and quartz, stabilized by ancient stone terraces.  Every day, the coop members climb up the steep slopes of some of the highest vineyards in the world, harvest the grapes by hand and laden with bins heavy with fruit, they make their way down the slopes to the winery. It is backbreaking work.

The combination of the highest altitude, fresh alpine air currents and streams, subsoils, and the steep terraced pergola vineyards delivers fresh and highly complex wines such as Rouge de Vallee. This red wine contains the region’s indigenous grapes of 70% Picotendro (local Nebbiolo clone), 30% Gros Vien, Neyret, Cornalin and Fumin. 

I looked back at my notes from our Wine Dinner where I had jotted down ruby red color, moderate intensity, bouquet of red fruit and delicate notes of spices, smooth taste and tannin. Pair with Piazza’s cured meats and aged cheeses, grilled meats, pasta with tomato based sauces but its best match is Piazza’s mushroom soup! Emily tasted this wine again recently and wanted to bring it back into Piazza’s collection.

To get your mind off the extreme heat, re-watch Stanley Tucci’s segment on Valle d’Aosta (I remember his getting off the funicular and being surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains) then come join me Friday from noon to 5:45 or Saturday from noon to 4:45 for a  taste of this refreshing red wine!

Cin Cin!

Jenn

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Piazza Italian Market is located in the Talbot Town Shopping Center qt 218 N. Washington St., suite 23, in Easton, MD

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.