The Bite Magazine - Autumn/Winter 2019 - Issue 26

bite drinks Images courtesy of La Croix Belle Vini Tonon - Veneto, Italy E stablished in 1936 by Pietro Tonon, Vini Tonon is located in Vittorio Veneto, an attractive town situated at the northern tip of an imaginary triangle comprising the Prosecco DOCG. Con- stant research, careful attention in the vineyards and the embracing of technological advances, whilst still respecting the traditions of Italian winemaking and Pietro Tonon’s teachings, are propelling Tonon to the forefront of winemaking in Italy. Veneto is an Italian region rich in history and culture, boasting places that are the delight of any tourist such as Venice, Verona, Cortina, and Garda Lake. It is also the favourite destination for those who not only love art but also appreciate good food and wine. When visiting this beautiful region, you will find the towns of Conegliano and Valdobbia- dene representing the other two tips nearby. The three proseccos that Valentina Lorenzetto and Edvige Tonon (whose grandfather established the winery) had on display at the annual tasting were exceptional and delicious. My favourite was Prosecco DOC Treviso Frizzante which is made from Glera grapes, an indigenous vari- ety grown in the province of Treviso since 1800. It is a pale straw yellow with fine pelage and slightly aromatic with an aroma of honey, flowers, and wild apples. The two other wines bottled by Tonon are Bianco del Camul and Spu- mante Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Brut. Bianco del Camul consists of 50% Pinot Grigio and 50% Chardonnay which stays for 6-8 months inside Slavonian oak barrels and is then refined for about eight months in the bottle. It has a brilliant straw colour tending to dark yellow and a bouquet that is reminiscent of withered flowers and hay, with a full-bodied taste and well-balanced. Spumante Prosecco Superiore Millesimato Brut is 100% Glera, an indigenous grape variety that is grown on the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene. It also has a light straw yellow colour, set off by a fine, persistent pelage with a fresh fragrance and an elegantly fruity taste reminiscent of white peach. The prosecco is delicious as an aperitif and is ideal to have with vegetable, fish-based hors d’oeuvres, and first courses with seafood. www.vinitonon.it/en/vini.html http://camulvini.com W ith 110 hectares of vineyard and planted with 16 different varieties, vineyard owners Jacques and Françoise Boyer have come a long way since 1977, when they first began their project to establish a top-quality estate on the slopes of the Cevennes. The Languedoc region lies between the Massif Central and the Mediterranean and is the only possible passage that extends from the North to Spain. Over the passing centuries, it has undergone a continual mixture of populations and cultures. The Domaine La Croix Belle No. 7 White is named for the number of grape varieties of Viognier, Char- donnay, Grenache Blanc, Sauvignon, Grenache Gris, Muscat Petit Grain, and Carignan Blanc used in the blend, which is made a month before bottling. The rich aromas, finesse, and their recognised control over the casking make it their best ambassador to the greatest tables of France and Europe. The wine has a golden, brilliant colour with a mix of citrus fruits of confit lemon and grapefruit which is intense on the nose, with grilled nuts. It has greatly rounded mineral notes of exotic fruits - pineapple and passion fruit - while honey and vanilla are developed on the palate. Domaine La Croix Belle No. 7 White can be enjoyed with fish such as grilled sea perch, red mullet, and bouillabaisse; white meat such as stewed veal or pan-fried foie gras. www.croix-belle.com/uk Images courtesy of Vine Tonon Domaine La Croix Belle - Cotes de Thongue - Languedoc, France