Kosher Wines for Passover

This post has been sponsored by Royalwine. The following message is intended for those 21+. All opinions expressed are my own. Please enjoy responsibly.

Today we’re happy to review a 2022 Monferrato Nebbiolo from Lovatelli, which is new line of affordable Italian wines produced Kosher for the Royal Wine Corp.  In addition, we’ll be taking a look at a 2022 Lineage, a Clarksburg Rosé from Herzog.

As always, we’ll be discussing where the wines are from and what makes these particular regions tick.  After that, we’ll be sampling wines themselves, discussing aromatics and flavors, before ending off on pairing suggestions.

Now, without further delay, let’s dive right in.

Lovatelli, The Where – Piedmont, Italy

The 2022 Nebbiolo comes to us from Piedmont’s Monferrato DOC. Located in an area characterized by rolling hills of ‘merely moderate’ elevations, copious sea breezes, and a mild climate. The area’s soils are a mix of clay, limestone, and sandstone, which help the region’s grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. Taken together, the region’s climate, soil composition, and moderate elevation combine to create an environment that is nothing less than ideal for the cultivation of grape vines, while the aforementioned sea breeze serves to help the vines retain their acidity.

Located in northern Italy, Piedmont abuts the Alps, which impart the area with a ‘thoroughly continental’ climate. That means cold winters and warm summers, which in turn ensures the area’s suitability for grape growing. This is especially true during the growing season where daytime temperatures are typically quite warm, and the nights are pleasantly cool, contributing to the development of aromatic compounds in the grapes. The diurnal temperature variation helps retain the grapes' natural acidity, a crucial factor in the refreshing and balanced nature of the area’s wines.

Monferrato itself encompasses a wide range of wine styles, including still, sparkling, and dessert wines. Red wines produced under the Monferrato DOC are typically made from grape varieties such as Barbera, Dolcetto, and Freisa, among others. These wines are known for their vibrant fruit flavors, balanced acidity, and smooth tannins. White wines from the region are often crafted from grape varieties like Moscato, Cortese, and Chardonnay, offering refreshing acidity, floral aromas, and crisp fruit notes.

Overall, Monferrato wines are highly regarded both within Italy itself and internationally. They pair well with a variety of dishes, from traditional Piedmont cuisine to more contemporary fare. Whether you're enjoying a robust Barbera with hearty pasta dishes or a crisp Moscato with fresh seafood, Monferrato wines offer a delicious and affordable accompaniment.

Herzog Lineage, The Where – Clarksburg, California

Clarksburg is an AVA (American Viticultural Area) located on the Sacramento River Delta, which itself is situated southwest of the city of Sacramento. Clarksburg is known for its diverse microclimates, fertile soils, and ideal climate conditions for growing a variety of grapes.

However, the Clarksburg AVA is primarily known for its white wine production, particularly Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc. These grapes fair particularly well in the area due to the cool maritime influence from the nearby San Francisco Bay, which helps moderate temperatures, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and retain acidity. These traits combine to create wines that are best described as ‘balanced’ and ‘flavor-forward.’

As an example, Chardonnay from Clarksburg often exhibits bright citrus and tropical fruit flavors, along with crisp acidity and just a touch of minerality. Chenin Blanc from Clarksburg, meanwhile, offers refreshing acidity, rich floral aromatics, and flavors of ripe stone fruits.

In addition to white wines, Clarksburg also produces notable red wines, including Petite Sirah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. These red wines typically showcase rich fruit flavors, velvety textures, and supple tannins, reflecting the region's warm daytime temperatures and cool evenings.

Tasting and Aromatics – The Review

The Lovatelli introduces itself with aromas of red fruit and ripe cherries, laced with syrupy sweet notes, a touch of spice, and just a hint of something floral lingering in the background. Deeper into the glass, the spicy notes mature with a dusting of cinnamon and either allspice or cloves. On the palate, the red fruits from the bouquet carry over quite nicely, and features silky softness and a sharp acidity. Very enjoyable from start to finish.

The Herzog 2022 Lineage introduces itself with a bouquet of cherries and pomegranate, with perhaps just a hint of cranberry, followed by a mix of dried herbs such as mint and thyme. Deeper into the glass, there’s a dusting of rose petals and a warming, earthy spice. On the palate, the wine immediately is medium bodied, while the fruits from the bouquet carry over very pleasantly.

What to Eat – The Pairings

With the Lovatelli Nebbiolo, you want to consider the varietal’s bold fruit flavors, high or sharp acidity, and firm tannins. With that in mind, here are some of Nebbiolo’s classic pairings:

1. Red Meat: The go-to pairing for Nebbiolo. Red meats such as beef and lamb are a delicious match for Nebbiolo. Consider pairing it with steak grilled in butter and garlic, braised lamb shanks, or hearty beef stew for a delicious combination.
2. Game Meat: Yes, more meat. Given the Nebbiolo’s intense flavors and tannic structure, the wine deliciously complements gamey meats like venison, wild boar, and duck. Game birds roasted with savory herbs, blackened boar, or grilled venison steaks are all delicious pairings for this particular wine.
3. Aged Cheese: Nebbiolo's tannins and acidity are excellently suited to pairing alongside sharp, aged cheeses. Opt for hard cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano, Pecorino Toscano, or aged Gouda.
4. Truffles: Nebbiolo's earthy undertones make it an ideal partner for dishes featuring truffles, such as truffle risotto, pasta with truffle cream sauce, or truffle-infused meats.
5. Mushrooms: Whether sautéed, roasted, or incorporated into sauces, mushrooms of all kinds are a fantastic match for Nebbiolo. Their earthy flavors are reminiscent of the wine's earthiness, while their meaty texture can more than stand up to the wine’s robust flavor profile. Try pairing Nebbiolo with mushroom risotto, mushroom bruschetta, or grilled portobello mushrooms.
6. Rich Pasta Dishes: Nebbiolo's acidity allows it to cut through creamy pasta dishes, making it an excellent choice for pairing things like fettuccine Alfredo, a proper lasagna, pasta with ragù sauce, or pasta tossed with fried meatballs. If you haven’t tried your meatballs fried, you are seriously missing out. Do it, and pair it with a nice red wine like today’s Nebbiolo. Only then have you truly begun to live.

When pairing today’s Clarksburg Rosé, the qualities you want to consider are its refreshing acidity and its characteristic fruit flavors. That means:

1. Grilled Seafood: While this may be considered a ‘cliché’ pairing, there’s no doubt that quality rosé simply loves grilled seafood dishes. Consider pairing it with grilled shrimp salad, lemon, and herb grilled salmon, or a lush seafood paella.
2. Summer Salads: Rosé almost always pairs beautifully with summer-themed salads, such as our Summer Chicken Salad Bowl, our Summer Eggplant, or our Melon Salad with Absinthe Syrup. Try serving it alongside a salad of mixed greens, strawberries, goat cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette, or a watermelon feta salad for a delightful burst of flavors.
3. Soft Cheeses: Rosé is a delightful accompaniment to soft or creamy cheeses, such as mozzarella, gouda, or mascarpone. Conversely, rosé is a delightful pairing to almost any cheese platter, such as a board featuring baked Brie, Camembert, or goat cheese, along with crusty bread or crostini.
4. Poultry Dishes: Light rosés are also a grand stand-in alongside poultry dishes. Consider serving it with roast chicken, turkey sandwiches, or grilled chicken salad for a light and refreshing accompaniment.
5. Light Pasta Dishes: Pasta pairings are also a great option. Consider light and summery pasta dishes such as pasta primavera, spaghetti with cherry tomatoes and basil, or shrimp scampi to highlight the wine's fruity notes.

And that’s our review of these two Kosher for Passover wines. If you tried today’s wines, or have any questions or suggestions, let us know in the comments below! We always love hearing from you!

Cheers!