Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2010

Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2010

Origin: Orvieto, Italy
Blend: Procanico (40%), Grechetto (40%), Verdello (15%), Drupeggio and Malvasia (5%)
Alcohol Content: 12.0%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: January 2012
Purchase Price: $7.99 (750ml bottle)

Our review: A very pale silver-green in color, this wine has aromas of tropical fruit (pineapple, banana) with faint notes of citrus flowers. The flavors on the palate are similar though have a slightly bitter, almost nut-like character to them. The finish is remarkably similar to the palate, so much so that there is virtually no transition to make note of.

Our rating: We chose to pair this wine with a simple pasta dish with a side salad, but think it may be better served with a more robust meal. There's a fair amount of complexity to this wine, but we're not convinced it is all that harmonious. It is very different from the everyday ABC wine and we didn't dislike it by any means, but we're not sure we'd rush out to buy another bottle. We previously reviewed the Campogrande Orvieto 2006 and apparently enjoyed that vintage much more than the present one, rating it Above Average. We would rate this bottle Average at best.

Taste profile from the winemaker: Straw yellow with green highlights, the wine shows aromas which recall bananas, pineapple, and flowers. Full on the palate, savory and soft, it is a pleasurable, easy-drinking wine.

Winery website: Santa Cristina.

Melini Orvieto Classico Secco 2007

Melini Orvieto Classico Secco 2007
Origin: Umbria, Italy
Blend: Procanico / Trebbiano (65%), Verdello (20%), Drupeggio (15%)
Alcohol Content: 12.5%
Bottle Closure: Natural Cork
Purchase Date: June 2009
Purchase Price: $9.99

Our review: Golden straw with aromas of tree fruit and notes of apple blossom. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, a considerable spice (maybe nut-like) character develops accompanied by some heat that dissipates somewhat into the finish, which is complex and long lasting.

Our rating: We enjoyed this wine; it's very different from the typical white wines found in the US, and one worth trying. We're typically not fans of nutty wines, as it were, but here the character comes through more as spice than nut. We served our bottle with a chicken and pasta dish. Quite interesting overall, we rate it Above Average.

Taste profile from the winemaker: "label: It has a light straw color, a fresh, subtle, delicate bouquet, and a dry, pleasant hint of almonds in the finish."

Winery website: None found.

Antinori Campogrande Orvieto 2006

Santa Cristina Antinori Campogrande Orvieto Classico 2006
Origin: Umbria, Tuscany, Italy
Blend: 40% Procanico, 40% Grechetto, 15% Verdello, 5% Drupeggio and Malvasia.
Alcohol content: 12.0%
Bottle closure: Natural cork
Purchase date: January 2008
Purchase price: $9.99

Taste profile from the winemaker: "Straw-yellow colour with greenish hues; subtle, delicate fruity and floral aromas and a fresh, tangy flavour with a nice sweet sensation in the finish."

ABC Wines review: What a delightful wine! Nearly colorless with aromas of fresh apples, maybe pears. Just slightly dry with a bit of a citrus tartness, the flavors are harmonious and refreshing. The long finish is briefly, unexpectedly, and pleasantly sweet. A terrific wine to serve with appetizers. Our score: Above Average.