As Labor Day 2020 comes our way, I think of a day spent with family and friends. On this day, Americans typically enjoy a barbecue with some wine. I think of red wine with this type of meal. To celebrate your Labor Day 2020, here are four Italian red wine suggestions to make your meal a better one.
Whether you barbecue steak, hamburgers, or ribs, any of these red wine suggestions complements your Labor Day cuisine.
This article focuses on several Italian Regions, including Trentino, Piedmont, and Tuscany. Although Trentino is primarily known for its whites and sparkling wines, it also produces some lesser-known yet outstanding red wines. It goes without saying that Piedmont and Tuscany are renowned for their red wines; Piedmont is associated with Barbera, and Tuscany, with Sangiovese.
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Labor Day 2020 Pinot Noir
If you are looking for a lighter red, Italian Pinot Noir is a good fit. Many of these wines come from northern Italy, either from Alto Adige or Trentino. Bottega Vinaia Pinot Noir 2017 is one of the wines produced by winemaker Anselmo Martini. His goal is to produce a wine from a group of outstanding vineyards in the Trentino region.
The Pinot Noir exhibits earthy aromas, mixed with notes of cherry. On the palate, I found bright, fruity flavors of strawberry and cherry. Ultimately, the wine is flavorful and pairs well with pork.
Labor Day 2020 Barbera
Fontanafredda is a well-established winery, dating back to 1854, in the Langhe region of Piedmont. The vineyards are farmed both organically and sustainably. Fontanafredda is now the largest certified organic winery in the Piedmont region.
The Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera Piemonte DOC 2018 presents earthy notes of tobacco and leather alongside dark fruit. One finds a fruity freshness in a well-blended wine that hints at pepper on the finish.
Labor Day 2020 Sangiovese
Tuscany covers a broad area. From its northern tip, near Genoa, to its southern region, just north of Rome, there are variations in style and character within the 41 DOCs and 11 DOCGs. The most notable regions include Chianti, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, but there are some lesser-known regions around the Maremma subregion.
Montecucco Sangiovese
The Montecucco DOCG is located in the province of Grosseto. In 2011, the region received its DOCG designation, making it a relatively young region. While most of this region produces organic and biodynamic wines, it proves that the area is increasingly heading towards sustainable winemaking. Vibrant acidity, wines with medium to full body, and a profile of dark fruits, tobacco, and spices characterize Sangiovese.
Podere Montale Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG exhibits aromas of cherry, pepper, and mineral notes. On the palate, earthy and smoky notes of tobacco and wood spice accentuate the flavors of cherry and hints of pepper.
Chianti Sangiovese
Chianti is the most famous and well-known region in Tuscany. Its popularity is reflected in the numerous wines available in stores from this region. The Chianti Classico DOCG represents the heart of Chianti winemaking and is the most important subregion of Chianti. The area was Italy’s first DOC in 1967 and elevated to DOCG in 1984. The DOCG rules require that for a wine to be classified as a Chianti Classico, it must contain at least 80% Sangiovese and up to 20% of other grape varietals, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Colorino, and Canaiolo.
Specific aging guidelines determine if the wine is classified as a Chianti Classico, Chianti Classico Riserva, or Chianti Classico Gran Selezione. Chianti Classico may be released on March 1st of the year after harvest. Riserva wines age for a minimum of two years, including three months of bottle aging, and the Gran Selezione wines age a minimum of 30 months with three months of bottle aging.
The Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva DOCG Famiglia Zingarelli 2015 is a blend of 90% Sangiovese, 5% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 5% Colorino. This Chianti is Rocca delle Macie’s flagship wine. The grapes come from four Rocca Delle Macie estates in the Castellina area. With the first sip of this wine, the characteristics remind one of a Cabernet Sauvignon. The small portion of Cabernet in this blend stands out. On the nose, aromas of earth and tobacco dominate. On the palate, the wine exhibits a rounded balance that showcases cherry and sour cherry flavors with hints of spicy pepper.
Finally, any of these wines offers a great complement to any Labor Day 2020 dinner.
Note: Common to the wine industry, this writer received hosted wine samples. While it has not influenced this review, the writer believes in full disclosure.