And the winner is….… In honor of the Academy Awards, I took a break from my “Italian-Only” policy to try a Cal-Italian blend from Monte Volpe, one of four labels owned by the Graziano family, who began planting Italian grape varietals in Mendocino County (north of Sonoma) in 1918. Gregory Graziano, founder Vincenzo's grandson, now carries on the family winemaking tradition. As they should, Italian grape varietals that were once an integral part of Mendocino viticulture are again drawing the attention of wineries in California as well as other regions in the United States. The 2006 Primo Rosso is an odd, quaffable, mostly Cal blend of 65% Zinfandel, 15% Carignane, 10% Petite Sirah, 5% Sangiovese 3% Negroamaro, and 2% Nebbiolo that is aged for 18 months in mix of American, Eastern European and French oak. The wine has a dark purple color, jammy nose and flavors of ripe blackberries, raspberries and plums. The wine has a nice mouth feel and balanced acidity that carries through to a surprisingly long finish. As Kunio Kato so eloquently said in his acceptance speech, “Domo arigato Mr. Roboto!”
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