Italy conjures up such romantic notions for so many of us – the food, the wines, the landscape, the culture – a country with so much to offer! So it is a great pleasure to introduce a new winery from Puglia (or Apulia in Italian) in the southern part of Italy on the Adriatic coast, literally at the heel of the ‘boot’. The climate is warm and sunny, the grapes are influenced by the sea and the hot summers resulting in easy-drinking, ripe wines produced from the region’s native grapes.
ELDA Cantine is a family-owned sustainable winery located slightly inland in the small ancient town of Troia, province of Foggia (the northern part of Puglia). Marcello Salvatori, an engineer previously active in the sustainable energy industry, found a new calling with with his winery, named in honour of his mother Elda. Here, along with enologist Rosalia Ambrosino and the winemaking team, beautiful, food friendly wines are crafted from native grapes with Mediterranean flair. Along with the wines, ELDA Hotel has come to join the vision – Marcello has restored a historic refuge to its previous glory and transformed it into a luxury hotel, nestled in the ecosystem of the State Biogenetic Reserve of the Umbra Forest.
Three well-priced wines have found their way to Ontario via the Destination Collection programme – these wines are available online and the Italy Destination store in Woodbridge (Hwy 7 and Innovation Drive)
ELDA Cantine ‘Garbino’ Primitivo IGP Puglia 2018 l LCBO# 302934 l $18.35
The ‘Libeccio’ is a wind that comes from the southwest, also known as the “Garbino” on the Garganico coast, a warm wind like the warm nuances of this Primitivo wine. 100% Primitivo grapes grown on medium textured calcareous tufa soils at over 400 metres altitude on the estate. Temperature-controlled fermentation with maceration on the skins. 6 months ageing in stainless steel tanks followed by 6 more months in the bottle.
Tasting note: Ruby red with violet reflections. On the nose: intense and complex with notes of red fruits such as cherries, sour cherries and blackcurrant. On the palate: velvety, pleasant, soft with a lingering finish. Ideal with appetizers, semi-aged cheeses, meats. 13.5% alc./vol.
ELDA Cantine ‘Il Primo’ Nero di Troia IGP Puglia 2018 l LCBO# 302942 l $18.40
‘Il Primo’ was the first Nero di Troia produced by the winery, the first step taken on their wine journey. 100% Nero di Troia grapes, grown on chalky soils at over 400 metres altitude on the estate. Brief maceration with temperature controlled fermentation in steel, ageing for 6 months in steel and at least 3 months in the bottle.
Tasting note: Deep, intense ruby red. A mature and intense nose, pleasant notes of red fruit lending freshness and persistence of aroma. On the palate: clean, fleshy Nero di Troia; fruity, rich in young but well-contained tannins. Well-balanced, clean, with a nice long finish. Best enjoyed with roasted and grilled meats, seasonal vegetables, and semi-mature cheeses. 14% alc./vol.
ELDA Cantine ‘ Contralto’ Negroamaro IGP Puglia 2017 l LCBO# 302959 l $17.60
In music, the term “contralto” is used to describe the heaviest of the female voices, and refers to not only to the singer but also to her particular register. Drinking this Negroamaro is like hearing a voice that is heavy and dense, yet soft and deep all at once. 100% Negroamaro grapes grown on chalky soils at over 400 metres altitude on the estate. Classic red wine vinification including maceration and temperature controlled fermentation processes, ageing in steel for 6 months and in the bottle for the final 6 months.
Tasting note: Ruby red colour. On the nose: complex and intense, with elegant fruity notes (plum, blackberry, blackcurrant), mingling with spicy aromas and others such as leather and straw so typically characteristic of Negroamaro. On the palate: soft and warm, with just the right amount of tannins and a lingering finish. Excellent with robust first and second courses, game and roasts, mature cheeses. Serving temperature: 16°-18° C. 14.5% alc./vol.
ELDA Cantine wines are represented in Ontario by Le Savoir-Boire.
Le Savoir-Boire are a Good Food Fighter.
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