The 2012 Pizzolato Rosso Convento is a certified organic, Vegan friendly, no sulfites added blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon and 50% Merlot sourced from Estate vineyards located near the town of Treviso in the Veneto region of Italy. Sulfites are added to wine to prevent bacteria taking hold in the wine, when no sulfites are used the winery must use extreme hygiene in all phases of the wine production to guard against bacteria. Vegetarians do not eat meat, but are ok with some animal by products, but Vegans will not tolerate any use of animals in food production. Wine, is of course, not made from animal by products, but some by products are used in the “fining” of the wine. “Fining” is where unwanted elements that were produced in the fermentation process are removed from the wine, these products act as magnets and pull the unwanted particles from the vats leaving only the good stuff. The Pizzolato Rosso Convento use minerals to “fine” the wine and not animal by products. The Rosso Convento is a young wine, with no oak aging, setting a couple of bottles down for a year or two will not improve the wine, it is at its best right now. This wine had been a Whole Foods exclusive, but I believe it is widely available now and should sell for around $12. The alcohol content is 12%.
The color is cherry red with black highlights. The nose is cherry, raspberry, menthol, milk chocolate and jammy plum. This is a medium bodied, well balanced Red blend. Bright, smooth blackberry starts things off, followed by a slap of tart cranberry, some dusty Nestle’s Quik powder and a light brush of herbs. The mid palate adds sweet strawberry. The tannins are mild, as is the acidity. The finish s the same as the body of the wine and linger for a very long time.
The 2012 Pizzolato Rosso Convento is a well-made, very tasty, versatile, well priced Red wine, that just happens to also be certified organic, Vegan friendly and no sulfite added. This is a wine that fertilizer loving, carnivores, who kind of like sulfites will enjoy. Even though this is a Cabernet/Merlot blend, I would use more like a slightly fuller bodied Pinot Noir, when pairing with food, this isn’t a BBQ or grilled steak wine, more like enchiladas or andouille sausage red bean and rice, dishes that are a little more nuanced (I should have mentioned Vegan friendly meal choices, but sorry, I don’t know any). And it drinks great for late night on the deck, clean, crisp and velvety with a healthy amount of balanced fruit flavors.
this wine was received as a sample
