Jimmy's Food Store Wine Dinner-#KellereiKaltern #Caldaro in Italy

Where Wine is One of the Family

I recently attended a wine dinner at Jimmy's Food Store on Bryan and Fitzhugh and invited Natalie's friend to go with me (Natalie lives in California). We had a great time tasting wines with food from Jimmy's. They always know exactly what to pair with the wines that are featured.

Tobias Zingerle was the representative for the winery that evening. He explained  how the Kaltern Estate sits in one of the most beautiful corners of the Dolomites, overlooking Caldaro Lake, in the Alto Adige region of Italy. Alto Adige is a unique pocket within Italy, close to the border with Germany, and the German influence is strong in the customs, language, food and wine styles. It is one of the world's oldest wine-producing areas and receives the largest number of Tre Bicchieri (three glasses) ratings, which indicates the highest rankings. 

Here's what we tasted:

2012 Caldaro Pinot Grigio Alto Adige ($15) A very delightful wine, lively, fruity, fresh and well structured. I bought this one, which I give three glasses!

2012 Caldaro Gewürztraminer Campaner ($28) Dense, rich volume on the palate, very clean and direct. This is an utterly juicy Gewürztraminer. 

2012 Caldaro Pinot Nero Alto Adige ($18) "Sunny herb garden scents infuse this peppery red, its light spice cool in the end" states Wine & Spirits Year's Best Alto Adige Pinot Nero!

2011 Caldaro Pinto Nero Saltner ($28) A stunning wine with a rich dense cherry red color and deep complexity. A velvety first impression leads to a wonderful bright cherry, raspberry, rose hip and fruit-tea overtone with a soft, smooth finish.

 2012 Caldaro Lagrein Classico ($22) Lagrein is one of the three indigenous grape varieties in Alto Adige. It is distantly related to the Syrah. Typical for this species are the dark red color and fruity berry flavors that are paired with spicy notes of chocolate, tobacco and forest floor.

2012 Caldaro Schiava Campaner ($19) is from a grape that produces a light red wine with low tannins, moderate alcohol content, and exhibits characteristics of its growing area. It is a brilliant ruby red color in the glass, fruity on the nose, with a velvety texture giving way to a full round finish. Serve with light dishes.

And last but not least was a Moscato Giallo ($16) which is a off-dry version, lightly sweet and silky in texture with juicy acidity for balance and exuberant flavors of bold orange sorbet, candied pink grapefruit, star flirt and zesty spice. 

I was very disappointed that we didn't get to try the one wine Kaltern is known for-a Cabernet Sauvignon, which Tobias kept talking about. Several people asked for it, but obviously he didn't have it at this dinner. I read about it online and it sounds delicious! Oh well, I guess I'll have to look for it in Dallas!

Enjoy!