Italian Wine Tasting
Friday, June 13th
Sicily, Sardinia, Lazio, and Piedmont...
with a very special Barbaresco treat!
Domaine South
Call 256-759-9952 to Reserve
Italian Wine Tasting
special guest, Kara McKelvey
Domaine South
Friday, June 13th, 2025
4pm - 6pm
$20
256-759-9952 to Reserve
The Wines
2021 Cantina Mesa Vermentino, Sardinia $16.99
Cantina Mesa's Giunco Vermentino is the result of dedicated craftsmanship and a deep respect for Sardinia's terroir. Made from 100% Vermentino grapes grown in the Sulcis region — the southwest corner of Sardinia — this wine reflects the island's warm climate and mineral-rich limestone soils. The winemaking process involves manual harvesting, gentle pressing, and fermentation at controlled temperatures to maintain the purity of the fruit. It is aged on fine lees for four months to enhance texture and complexity, followed by bottling for a brief maturation period.
On the nose: Intense aromas of citrus zest, tropical fruits like mango and peach, and hints of Mediterranean herbs and balsamic notes.
On the palate: A lively combination of freshness and subtle saltiness, underscored by a creamy yet vibrant texture. Balanced acidity enhances its fruity and herbal characteristics, leading to a lingering mineral finish reminiscent of the sea breeze.
2022 Tornatora Etna Bianco, Sicily, Italy $24.99
A rising star in the Etna region, Tornatore is becoming one of the region's most respected wineries. Their vineyards are located at an altitude of 1,000 meters above sea level on the north side of this active volcano.
This Etna Bianco is made with the indigenous grape Carricante aged in concrete vats.
Cast in a compelling golden hue, this is a riveting Etna Bianco, made with grapes grown at an elevation of 650m on the northern slope of Mount Etna. Mineral, smoky, and savoury, it is fragrant with pineapples, apricots, and peaches. The palate is gently rounded, waxy, and salty, supported and lifted by taut acidity. Concentration and complexity are remarkable at this price-point. Length is excellent, with a lingering note of crushed rocks on the finish. - Megha Jandhyala
It is perfect with young and medium-aged cheeses, poultry and fish.
2019 Famiglia Cotarella Ferentano Bianco, Lazio, Italy $24.99
Ferentano derives from the archaeological site of Ferento, an ancient Etruscan town near the vineyards that grow a grape varietal called roscetto, a white wine grape that is reportedly now grown only in one small vineyard near the town of Montefiascone, in the Lazio region. Chances are you can go your whole life without encountering roscetto-based wine: I know I have.
Cotarella’s Ferentano is a bold and assertive wine, bright gold in color and with the body to back it up. A powerful core of overripe tropical fruit is backed up by notes of green apple, grapefruit, and a layer of honeysuckle. Increasingly acidic the more you let it linger in the glass and on the tongue, the wine slowly reveals a salty minerality that enhances its biting qualities and pushes it toward a lengthy, brisk finish, driven by papaya and racy lemon curd. Not a wine I’ll soon forget.
2022 Cantina Mesa Cannonau di Sardegna Primo Scuro, Sardinia, Italy $16.99
Cannonau (a synonym for Grenache)
Winemaker Notes: Moderate ruby in color, with generous aromas of wild ripe red fruits and spice. On the palate, the wine has more body than the color would indicate with round acidity, supple tannins and warm finish. Pair with cold cuts, fatty fishes, grilled meats and soft cheeses.
Cantina Mesa was born as a declaration of love for Sardinia. A marriage of beauty and goodness. Mesa represents the inspiration of Gavino Sanna, Italy’s most celebrated and awarded advertising professional, who dreamed of creating something extraordinary; as unique and simple as his own land, for his own land. The name Mesa, which in both Sardinian and in Spanish means table and sums up in just four letters the very soul of their winery. They honor the traditional gathering to celebrate nourishment, their family, their friends and their noble cultural treasure, the wines of Sardinia. The area creates wines best expressed in their simplicity and the fragrant aromas of the earth.
2021 Tornatora Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy $24.99
Nerello Cappuccio, Nerello Mascalese
The Etna Rosso has notes of red berries, morello cherry and black cherry on the nose. Mediterranean herbs and white pepper framed in glossy tannins and fresh acidity. The palate is characterized by a surprising fullness, flavor and persistence.
Etna Rosso is very food friendly and versatile. It can be paired perfectly with a wide variety of dishes. Tomato sauces are a natural pairing for this wine; but it also goes great with roasted meats, sausages, meatballs; and oily fish like smoked sardines.
"Were September of 2024 not the most ideal time to experience the sheer beauty of this classically styled and modernized Etna Rosso - Well, May of 2025 is really that. moment. Get at it now, without hesitation, preferably alongside anything that involves Sicilian eggplant in one of it it many local preparations. Last tasted May 2025.
The most understandable and straightforward Etna Rosso there could be, mature and layered, of riches and earth, fruit and soil all in the mix. A volcanic paint by numbers canvas of realism and beauty, easily accessible and generous to a perfectly reasonable degree. Entry point for the DOC and once in, never to look back" - Michael Godel
2021 Prunotto Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy $52.99
Barbaresco 2021 is an intense garnet red color. The nose delivers complex aromas of red fruit and hints of spices. The palate is full-bodied, velvety and closes with a persistent aftertaste.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Showing a light and luminous appearance, the Prunotto 2021 Barbaresco stands out for its focus, its finesse and its delicately sweet fruit tones. The wine is redolent of cassis, forest flower and peat moss, and there is a hint of tobacco that points to the wine's savory side. This Barbaresco with blended fruit from various sites is coming into its own and represents a very nice surprise from this historic estate (owned by Tuscany's Marchesi Antinori today). Rating: 93+