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Ernest Valtri: On Wine

Try something new

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I recently had a wine made from a grape called Cococciola (Co co chee o la). What is it?
Well, it’s white and it’s very unusual. It’s from the Italian regions of Abruzzo and Puglia and, while hard to find, is worth the search. Cococciola is dry with nice acidity and pairs well with many salty foods and shellfish. Its aroma reminds me a bit of Sauvignon Blanc, while the flavors of grapefruit and lemon were particularly pleasant.
The words I just used that are most appealing to me are “very unusual” and “hard to find.” I’ve made a habit of trying all kinds of wines I’ve never heard of or know nothing about. It’s interesting, exciting and fun all at once.
I suppose it’s a small part of my larger desire to generally try new things. This approach has done well for me when it comes to wine. Within the last year I’ve tried Assyrtiko (a white grape from the Greek island Santorini), Fiano (a white from Campania, Italy), Grillo (another Italian white, this one from Sicily), Plavac Mali (a red from Croatia believed to be a parent of Zinfandel), Priorat (a Spanish red grown near Barcelona), and Sagrantino (a red from Umbria in central Italy, compliments of my sister, who lives in Umbria and is quite proud of “her” wine).

All were at least good, though I may have forgotten those that weren’t. The Priorat was my favorite. Thank you, my friend, Chet.
I understand there are lots of people unwilling to try unfamiliar things, and that’s okay. But this is how I discover all sorts of new things, from restaurants to music to sports. (I just watched women’s Olympic qualifying archery; it was great.)
If you’re one of those less inclined to broaden your experience, certainly remain comfortable with whatever keeps you happy. However, maybe consider stepping out once in a while and leaving your comfort zone. If you don’t enjoy whatever it might be, blame the nutty wine writer. Of course, you just might surprise yourself and come across something lastingly sensational.

Ernest Valtri of Buckingham is a sculptor, graphic designer, and a former member of the PLCB’s Wine Advisory Council. Contact Erno at ObjectDesign@verizon.net.


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