(February 13, 2021) … Hockey Night in Canada is back and so is something I grew up with: “Smoke Breaks” … my friends were smokers (I never took up the habit) and during intermissions, especially come playoff time, we all would head outside for “a beer and a butt” talk about the game and just hang out until the next period began. I have resurrected the practice with my neighbour during the pandemic – we’d come out at the intermission, talk about the game, and maybe (occasionally) a cigar is brought out. Tonight, I opened a couple of 2008 Italian wines from different regions for a tasting in the snow.
Caldora 2008 Yume Montepulciano D’Abruzzo … great acidity and dark fruit right off the hop, then sour raspberry, mocha and even some balsamic notes appear, along with spiced-plum. The finish was nice and smooth and the wine was extremely drinkable.
Collazzi 2008 Toscana … this wine proved to be even better. On the palate, it passed over the tongue in a silky fashion with notes of cedar and smoke to begin, then the dark fruit showed up with delicious hints of licorice and balsamic dippded strawberries – a great end to the night.