Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $11.97
You do not always have to choose between quality and quantity: this liter sized bottle has both. Just what you need when guests are expected. Ercole, whose English translation is Hercules, is the work of a generations-old cooperative of local growers in the Monferrato area. Small, independent cooperative wineries like this are not only the lifeblood of thousands of small growers across Italy but also repositories safeguarding the native grape varieties and winemaking traditions of their respective regions. The cooperative behind Ercole works predominantly with established vines ranging from 30 to 50 years old. All participating growers adhere to the European Union rule for sustainable farming known as lotta integrata, or lutte raisonnée (the reasoned struggle), though many are now certified organic. Made almost entirely from the Cortese grape, the same grape as in Gavi, with small additions of 8% Chardonnay and 2% Sauvignon Blanc, this wine emerges from the glass with aromas of pears and apples offset with some herbal and floral notes. It finishes with a mouth-watering acidity and is an excellent wine to pair with foods inspired by Northern Italian coastal cuisine including fragrant pesto pastas and seafood dishes with basil and lemon.
