Synopsis, Our Opinion: An assertive, dry Italian wine with a robust and distinctive character.

Producer/Winery: Azienda Agricola La Viarte; Udine, Italy.

Grape Variety: Schioppettino.

Geographic Appellation, Region, Country: Friuli Colli Orientali; Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

Vintage: 2010

Price: $24.30 (with a 10% mixed case discount)

Purchased From: The Caviste Wine Shop; Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Paired With: Eggplant Parmesan and a garden salad.

Tasting:

Opened one hour before drinking. Almost opaque, dark garnet color with a light red rim. Cherry, strawberry and lots of wet wood aromas. Smooth entry, dry, a little rustic, medium body and a 150-grit texture. Flavors of mostly cherry and spicy pepper, but with red current in the background. Very refined leathery tannins that slowly grow in grip through a long tart, dry finish that had a smoky and peppery taste. WOW, excellent paired with the roasted red sauce in the Eggplant Parmesan, but also delicious sipping after the dinner with a little Camembert cheese. An assertive, dry Italian wine with a robust and distinctive character.

Alcohol Content: 12.5%

Closure: Natural cork.

UPC Code: 7 61503 72429 8

Imported by: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant; Berkeley, California.