Are you looking for a nice wine for your Christmas dinner?  I recently tasted these two Italian wines both made with the Nebbiolo grape that will be superb with your holiday roast.

These two wines are produced by Carlin de Paolo.  A family winery in their 4th generation of producing wine located in Piedmonte region of Italy.

These two wines, although made from the same grape are very different.  You will fine the Nebbiolo lighter, high in acid and lower in tannins.  The Barolo is bigger, more tannic and requires a minimum aging of 3 years. 

This 2010 Nebbiolo produced by Carlin de Paolo is from the Terre Alfieri area of Piedmont.  You will find aromas of cranberry, cherry, raspberry and licorice.

On the palate, lots of red fruit.  Sour cherry and red licorice show them selves mid palate and linger into the finish. As the wine opens I found the cola, cocoa and anise notes. Very nice acidity in this wine.

This wine retails for $18.99 and can be found one wine.com

The first thing to hit me with the 2009 Carlin de Paolo Barolo was the beautiful red garnet color.

Aromas of strong red berries filled the glass.

The palate had flavors or raspberry, with a hint of watermelon and sage.

The wine had nice acidity that really cut through the bolognese sauce I made with ground lamb and sweet sausage.

This wine retails for $39.99 and can be found on wine.com

 

 

Disclaimer: These wines were media samples