Bardolino Monte Del Frà

We found ourselves celebrating yet another family birthday, something that happens often when your immediate family is 10. On this occasion there were twelve of us enjoying each others company in honour of the birthday “boy”. It was a simple family affair with homemade spaghetti and meatballs, accompanied by Caesar salad and grilled garlic bread. Trust me there was lots to go around and we really let go for this occasion. Finishing up with a home baked chocolate cake, whew. We really know how to have a good time.

Going along with all this great food and fun time of course was the wine, or should I say wines. I think almost everyone brought a bottle of wine. My contribution was the perfect choice, if I do modestly say so myself, a Northern Italian Red that hit all the bases. Not only was it delicious it’s great value and readily available at most BC Liquor Stores.

Grapes
Sangiovese, Corvina, Rondinella
Region
Italy / Northern Italy / Veneto / Bardolino
Wine style
Northern Italy Red

“Candied strawberries, raspberries and fine herbs with a floral lift. Medium body with crunchy red berries and juicy plums on the palate, creating a simple but joyous mouth-feel with some sweet-sour berries. Drink now, while it’s still fresh and juicy” (August 2022) 90 Points, James Suckling

Examples of great pairings: Grilled Steak, Roast Beef, Rack of Lamb, Lamb Shank, Osso Bucco, Sharp Cheddar

(courtesy of BC Liquor Store)

Spaghetti and meatballs were the perfect pairing for this red wine blend. It was fruity with good body. The general concensus was positive and I think this wine is going to be showing up at more tables sometime soon.

With a garlicy mix of the Caesar salad and grilled bread we really gave this wine a test and it came out with flying colours. A rich, flavourful wine that stood up to the mix of flavours and textures that challenged the selection.

This yummy red blend will also compliment almost anything you might enjoy for bbq season; grilled vegetables like zucchini or asparagus, delicious with a steak. I can’t wait to have this wine again with my favourite homemade pizza of double cheese, proscuitto all topped with fresh arugula.

$19.49 available at 122 BC Liquor Stores. (I wasn’t kidding when I said it was great value!)

Monte Del Frà

A story that started in Custoza 60 years ago…

Surrounded by vineyards and the morainic hills of Lake Garda, Monte del Frà was founded as a monastery of the Friars of Santa Maria Della Scala. Today, Monte del Frà is run by the Bonomo family. Years pass, and generations follow, but one thing always remains the same: total commitment to the land.

Respect is the only path to pursue…

For three generations, the Bonomo family has been building their fortune following a simple pattern: a respectful approach is key to telling a territory’s story.

Monte del Frà is a unique treasure that must be preserved with pride and shared with the world.

Sustainability

There are many ways to make wine – at Monte del Frà, we do it our way: with loyalty, caution, awareness, and knowledge. Sustainability at Monte del Frà (SQNPI-certified; Italian certificate for integrated farming) does not only include green manure, sexual confusion, micro-drip irrigation, and no chemical weeding; it is a common thread running through the fields to the cellar.

It is not a marketing strategy but a philosophy put into practice through our actions, decisions, and sensitivity.

We believe in local workforces and local raw materials; we work with recycled paper, sustainable glass, and circular use of energy and water resources.

The extensive winery renovation and expansion project, which will be completed in the next few years, aims to achieve maximum production sustainability. We are constantly looking for ways to boost efficiency through the technological innovation of winemaking processes. Based on a sustainable and ethical philosophy, we can allow the land to express itself.

We don’t do this for profit but for the love of our home.

Wine notes courtesy of the BC Liquor Store website. My notes (in bold italics). I received complimentary wine to facilitate this feature. #sponsoredpost