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 Many
retail shops are stocking their wines properly and invitingly now. One
shop in particular that has caught my fancy is Lake Forest in Galleria,
DLF Phase IV, Gurgaon. Neeraj Sachdev, the owner has a liquor business
in California and is well clued and informed about wines and the need
for proper storage. It is a pleasure to visit this shop.
Here are a couple of easy drinking, easy-on-the-pocket Sicilian reds and
whites from one of the companies belonging to the world famous Pinot Grigio
specialist, Santa Margherita, based in Trentino Alto Adige region in North
Italy
Feudo Zirtari Rosso IGT 2005 Sicilia
This wine is a blend of the local perfumed grape Nero d'Avola with , Merlot,
Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon. It is plum red colour, light in flavour.
Slightly tart and dry and high in tannins, that make it a great accompaniment
with pepperoni pizza, Spaghetti Bolognese or simple red sauce cooked Italian
food. Try also with mutton biryani.
 It
retails for $6 at Trader's Joe in California (the folks known for Two-buck
chuck). For that price it is considered a good value wine. (In Italy and
other places it sells for around $9. It is available at a special price
of Rs.633 incl. VAT from Lake Forest, if you buy by the case- a good buy
for daily drinking wine. Recommended serving temperature is 18° C.
Feudo Zirtari Bianco IGT 2006 Sicilia
Made from a blend of the autochthonous varieties Grillo and Inzolia, and
Chardonnay it is a young wine that is slightly spicy due to the local
grape varieties with the elegance of Chardonnay. Although ideal for Sicilian
foods, especially elaborate fish preparations, it can be enjoyed as an
aperitif due to its freshness and good acidity.
Again, if you do not expect wonders from the wine, it is a good value
for money wine you can drink or gift to a friend. Should be consumed by
2008, though. Serve at 12° C.
If this wine sold in Chandigarh, it would be even cheaper.Reason: VAT
is 4% only, though the excise duty is around Rs.13 a bottle.
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