Saturday, February 11, 2012

Brachetto


   Just in time for Valentine’s Day shopping, a note on a charming wine that’s ideal for the occasion. The Brachetto grape is associated with Italy’s Piedmont region, and this wine is sparkling and sweet, perhaps just like your own valentine. You may also find versions that are less sweet or made in a frizzante rather than spumante style. Brachetto from the Acqui district, which this bottle is not, is considered by many the best expression of the grape.
   Brachetto seems to be pretty widely available in cities with good wine shops, though DOCG Brachetto d’Acqui is a little harder to find, and a little more expensive. Expect to pay in the mid-teens for the good stuff and a bit less for the Piemonte version.
   Food pairing: This fun, frothy wine delivers not-overpowering but pleasant red-fruit flavors: strawberry, raspberry and cherry. Low in alcohol, it could accompany the fruit salad in a Valentine’s brunch _ or even better, chocolate-dipped strawberries at the end of a Valentine’s dinner.

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