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Cinque terre
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Classificazione: DOC (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata) /(Quality wines produced in a specific region)
Color: Fairly intense straw yellow
Region of production: Liguria
Minimum alcohol content: 11%
Grapes uses: Bosco for at least 60%, Albarola and Vermentino (separately or in combination) max 40% |
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Along the rocky cliffs of the southern Ligurian coast one finds the vineyards of the Cinque Terre, the area that inspired the name of its namesake DOC wine, (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata) /(Quality wines produced in a specific region). Liguria is a coastal region in North-West Italy, which extends along the Mediterranean Coast from Tuscany to the border of France. It is a rugged, rocky region that over the centuries has been transformed into a series of verdant terraces by its industrious inhabitants. The five towns of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso are situated on a very narrow sliver of land wedged in between the mountains and steep cliffs that drop off into the sea below.
The majestic beauty of the jagged coastline is further enhanced by the spectacle of the loose-laid rock walls supporting the terraced vineyards clinging resolutely to the hillsides. Here the powerful heat of the sun, augmented by the dark stones in the terrace walls, creates grapes that are small and dense, while the salt air imbues the fruit with unique flavor attributes. Suspended precariously between sea and sky, this wondrous alchemy of natural elements produces a wine that is a subtle as it is elegant. Known since ancient times, the Cinque Terre wine is harvested by hand and boasts all the goodness of the local grapes.
Its pale freshness brings out the best in the local dishes, rendering it the perfect accompaniment to a great diversity of foods. Served at a cool temperature of 10-12°C, it is excellent with Bavette topped with a classic Pesto alla Genovese sauce, the famous Ligurian specialty made from basil, garlic, pine nuts, olive oil and pecorino cheese. Its delicate bouquet makes this wine perfect as an accompaniment to vegetable casseroles or stuffed pasta filled with chard and herbs, like the typical "pansoti".
Its persistent bouquet and the pleasant dryness of the flavor make it highly suitable as an accompaniment to fish (saltwater, as well as freshwater varieties), everything from the usual fried fare to gilthead baked in paper and mussel soup. The wild-flower and cedar notes are brought out nicely by flavorful, seasoned cheeses. Cinque Terre DOC should be drunk within a year and also comes in a sweet version, the famous Sciacchetrà. This is made from the same grapes, but the winemaking process is different. In this case the best bunches of grapes are harvested and left to dry on trellises for several weeks, but no longer than a month. The wine that is obtained is dense, sweet and a rich golden or amber color.
To bring out this wine's intense fragrance recalling honey, ripe apricots and nuts, serve it fresh from the cellar at between 14 and 16°C. With an alcohol content of 17%, it should be enjoyed slowly while relaxing and chatting after dinner. It is also excellent with sharp cheeses or with cookies and such; Genoese pandolce, for instance.
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