TN 04 Rapitala Casalj

Feb 24, 2007 3 Replies

This wine is composed of 70% Catarratto and 30% Chardonnay. I've never heard of Catarratto (though "catarro" is Spanish for a cold). I tried it at the store; my notes said it had chardonnay on the nose, and pinot grigio on the palate. I tried it with some grilled swordfish, recalling that at a restaurant that used to be, I often have pinot grigio to go with their swordfish. (Their wine selection was a bit limited)



Well, it didn't here. The swordfish has a nice sweetness but this wine has a dry acidic finish in back (the "pinot grigio" note) which did not go well with it. The half bottle I had left I put in a half-bottle and corked it for later, with almost no air in the ullage.



Today, a month and a half later, I'm happy to say the wine held up fine in the fridge. I tried it with crabcakes (and yams and spinach), with the same result. Again the crab meat has a sweetness to it that just does not abide the harsh finish of this wine.



The notes for this wine (given to me at the store where it was a wine club selection) said "This is an excellent match for fish and shellfish". Well, I'm going to have a word with the winemonger about that.



As the last of the glass was disappearing, my wife suggested I try it with anchovies - there were anchovies in the salad.



Ding! Perfect match. The wine is downright mellow with anchovies and mustard vinigarette dressing. The last quarter bottle will be saved for when we have pasta with asparagus and mustard-anchovy sauce. (I have it in a split, also corked with almost no air).



Jose


A new one to me. Wher eis it from? Thanks for notes

It's Italian. Here are the notes given to me by the wine store:

"Tenuta Rapitala, situated in the area of Camporeale in Sicily, is made up of 70 acres, and extends over gentle hills. The perfect aspect and the special composition of the soil in this region make it ideal for the cultivation of fine wine varietals. Rapitala is named for the river that runs through the property - Casalj is the ancient name of Tenuta Rapitala. The grape composition for htis quite refreshing and distinctive wine is 70% Catarratto (a native Sicilian varietal) and 30% Chardonnay. The wine displays an intriguing array of rich viscocity with a crisp freshness. Floral and citrus notes are found on the nose, and the color is pale gold. The flavor is full and round, and its somewhat higher degree of aciticy lends elegance and finesse. This is an excellent match for fish and shellfish."

I take issue with some of this. It is however an excellent match for anchovy, and probably other similar fish (sardines come to mind). It may well do ok with wasabi, but I think there are better matches for sushi.

Jose

See:

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CATARRATO BIANCO: Variety native to Sicily where it is found widely grown along the western coast. Usually blended with Grillo and the Inzolia white wines to create versions of historically interesting "Marsala" wine in several dry, or sweet dessert, styles. Also grown in Tunisia where its fruit is made into a wine subsequently blended with Rassegui to make a white wine claimed to be vaguely taste reminiscent of Welschriesling concoctions.

CATARRATO NERO: Winegrape variety grown in Italy and elsewhere. Has synonym name Greani. (No other details as yet).

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