In 1797 Napoleon smashed the remnants of the Austrian army in Friuli and by forced treaty ended the Republic of Venice, creating for himself an Italian playground known as The Kingdom of Italy.
Kingdoms require armies and armies require provisions and if those armies are French then wine is a fundamental provision. But bottled wine is heavy and ammunition is more important, particularly if you are about to invade Russia. So Napoleon came prepared with vines – small shoots wrapped in wet gauze – by the thousands. And considering he just enlarged his territory by a third he had the land to plant them in.
So he did. The vast plains that stretch from Lombardi to Slovenia are covered in Napoleon’s (or his general’s) vineyards. It’s not that Napoleon invented Italian wine: he didn’t. Rather, it’s that his legacy survives in grapes.
So it is that the Maculan family cultivates Sauvignon Blanc in Ferrata, outside of Venice, near the Italian Alps. When people ask why they make Sauvignon Blanc the explanation is easy: first, history. Sauvignon Blanc’s roots in Ferrata are longer than California’s, Chile’s and even New Zealand’s. Second, Napoleon wasn’t dumb. He may have been short, feisty, and the kind of guy who’ll eat your share of the Ziggy Pig ice cream bowl, but he did know wine. In Ferrata, Sauvignon Blanc works, and delightfully so.
Most American’s now know Sauvignon Blanc best from its New Zealand (NZ) connection. Maculan’s will resemble a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, yet reveal subtle but important differences. Instead of NZ’s almost overwhelming herbaceous green aromas the Ferrata region reveals a smoother, lusher quality to Sauvignon: aromas of white peaches, stone fruits and orange blossom greet the nose upon the first glass. Many don’t realize it but NZ’s wines are extremely acidic, almost forcefully so. But with the Maculan the acidity is toned down a notch, lifting up the silky textures of bosc pear, honeydew mellow and hints of exotic spices.
With these richer textures and broader flavors Maculan’s Sauvignon Blanc makes the perfect match to almost any Italian food, all the way from roasted cherry tomatoes shaved with aged Asiago to grilled shrimp with fava beans and fresh olive oil.
For generations the Maculan family has been striving to put Ferrata onto the international wine map. Come taste what all the fuss is about!
2009 Maculan Sauvignon Blanc
Release Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $14.99
And… come join us at:
A Celebration in Pink: The Rosé (and Loire) Festival!
Saturday, May 19, Noon – 4 pm, Open House Format
$20 per guest – credited against purchase of six bottles or more
You have been waiting for it all year long! The Rosé Festival!
This year we thought we would “spice” up the tasting a little bit. In addition to sampling all of our rosés, we will also be taking a tour of the Loire Valley. The Loire is home to many of France’s most profound rosés but its contribution to the modern wine vernacular doesn’t stop there – Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and many other wines call the Loire Valley home.
In a fun-spirited, open house format, this tasting explores all the rosé wines that we have on offer this year as well as delicious selections from the Loire.
For more information (and the list of wines): http://www.waterfordwine.com/tasting/
All orders must be secured with a name, credit card number, and phone number. All orders will be available at the time of purchase.
When the wine is ordered your credit card will be charged. The wine will be held in climate controlled conditions until you are ready to pick it up, free of charge. Offer is good while supplies last.
Ben Christiansen wrote this article and Tim Hansen edited it.
