The Honest Pour with John Lenart

One of Piemonte’s most adored producers, Vietti, was sold last summer. What does that mean for the brand and for the wines of this historic, family-run winery? This week John talks with Elena Penna Currado, wife of wine maker Luca Currado, to discuss the history, sale and to taste the wines of this dynamic and important producer.

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           Elena Penna Currado, Vietti

2014, Vietti Barabera D’Asti, Tre Vigne

This ruby red wine starts with aromas of fresh cherry, earthiness, and floral notes. The medium bodies texture gives way to bright fresh cherry flavor with touches of vanilla. The solid tannins are backed up by bright acidity.

SRP: $20

2013, Vietti “Perbacco” Nebbiolo

I’ve always been super-excited about this declassified Barolo. This light red wine looks like a classic nebbiolo. The floral smell bursts from the glass revealing red fruit, earthiness, sweet herbs and leather. The elegant mouth-feel reveals flavors of plum and fresh cherry. The gripping tannin and bold acid make this a wine to lay down for another 3-5 years. At this price you’ll be happy you hung onto what’s sure to be a gem. One of the best values from Piemonte, if not all of Italy.

SRP: $25

2012 Vietti, Barolo Castiglione

This delicately colored wine jumps out of the glass with rip red cherry, floral aromas and sweet spices. Flavor of slightly sweet cherry and blackberry notes are backed up by bold tannin and bright, long lasting acidity. This wine needs 3-5 years for optimal drinking but is pleasant enough to drink now.

SRP: $50

Do you have an idea of what New Zealand sauvignon blanc is all about? Kevin Judd, a pioneering New Zealand winemaker, shatters that mold with his Greywacke sauvignon blanc, particularly with his wild fermentation bottlings. Join John as he talks Kiwi sauv blanc and more with Kevin Judd.

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Kevin Judd, Winemaker, Greywacke and Dixie

2015 Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc

This greenish yellow star bright wine has a touch of sliver color. The nose starts with grapefruit followed by passion fruit and fresh herbs. This medium bodied wine is packed with creaminess and flavors of lime stone fruit and a good bit of minerality and crisp acidity.

SRP: $23

2014 Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc

This wine leads with a savory nose of cream fraiche, dried herbs and a touch of vanilla.On the palate the wine is creamy with a deep complexity. Flavors include lime, papaya and cheese rind along with a chalky finish with crisp acid. “It’s sauvignon, but not as we know it.”

SRP: $25

2014 Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir

 A floral nose follows with bright red berries ending with spicy cinnamon notes. The medium bodied wine has flavors of strawberry jam, fresh black cherries balanced by bright acidity and a good hit of tannin.

SRP: $28