WA Nebbiolo v. Barbaresco

Last week featured an Italian wine lover's dream stage in the Giro d'Italia.  A point to point time trial from Barbaresco to Barolo.  Are you kidding me?  You would have to time me with a calendar if I was doing THAT time trial!

Of course, the pros are paid to race their bikes so there is no time for hanging out and drinking the excellent Northern Italian wines made from the Nebbiolo grapes available in these two areas within the Piemonte region.

My friend, and occasional Lucha Vino contributor, Richard Foxall hit me up to see if I might want to include a feature on Peimonte wines since he happened to be in the region.  That question lead to the first truly international Lucha Vino challenge.  Richard provides the tasting notes and commentary for the Barbaresco challenger and I provide the counter attack from the Washington Nebbiolo representative.

Cana's Feast 2008 Nebbiolo v. Rivella Serafino  di Rivella Teobaldo Barbaresco Montestefano 2008 

WA Sangiovese v. Chianti Classico

After a few days in Ireland the pro cyclists boarded several airplanes to fly to the far South of Italy to start the Giro d'Italia properly last week.  They followed a route that went Southwest and then made a hard right turn and started North.  The route covered a variety of DOCs that feature the Sangiovese grape.  The route also featured a high number of crashes and top rider casualties.  This year's race has been a bit weird...

This week's Lucha Vino challenge pays tribute to Italy's grand grape, Sangiovese.

2011 Kaella Sangiovese v. 1995 Fattoria de Falsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva

WA Barbera v. Lombardia

The Giro d'Italia kicks off on May 9th in Belfast.  Wait. What?!  Belfast?  You might be saying "I don't remember an Italian town named Belfast!"  You would be correct.  This year's race starts off with three stages in Ireland before the racers transfer to Southern Italy.

Like many of the pros, I was hanging out last week putting the finishing touches on my form for the big race.  I chose to hang out in Northern Italy.  In Lombardia to be exact, a wine region just across the border from the Tour du Romandie, a major Tour de France tune up race held in Switzerland.  Did you know that Switzerland only exports 2% of their wines?  Its true.  One more reason I was hanging out in Lombardia...

This week's challenge features a Barbera from the Oltrepo Pavese DOC taking on a Washington State Barbera from the Yakima Valley.

2011 Cantina di Casteggio Bronis Barbera v. 2008 Cavatappi Barbera