Wines of the Giro Stage 6: CAV and Rubino Primitivo

 

http://www.gazzetta.it/static_images/ciclismo/giroditalia/2013/zoom/planimetria_06.jpg

Stage 6: Mola di Bari - Margherita di Savoia 169km
From the Garibaldi:

Mostly flat stage along the coast of Puglia (with some interior). Some narrow roads and occasionally worn road surfaces. The stage passes through inhabited centres with roundabouts, traffic islands and sections of paved road surface. Two final loops 16 km long, more or less square in shape, with very few curves. The last real turn is more than 3 km from the stage finish.
Final 3km mostly straight with two very slight curves at about 2 km from the finish line. Road width 7.5 m, surfaced with asphalt.

Today is the second anniversary of the death of Wouter Weylandt, the 26-year-old Belgian QuickStep rider who was killed after crashing heavily on a descent on stage three of the 2011 Giro. Weylandt's race number - 108 - was retired from the race after the accident.
giroditalia 6:01am via Web

Sprinters marked this day on the calendar. Who is your favourite? #giro

For the record, my fantasy cycling team (yes, really), could use the points that a Cavendish victory today would bring. Plus, I'd also like Taylor Phinney to feel better before the time trial this weekend.

Early on, in the bright sunshine, a two man breakaway formed with Jack Bobridge (Blanco) and Cameron Wurf (Cannondale). With about 105 km to go, the Australian duo had 3:30 over the peloton as they approached the first intermediate sprint of the day. Cannondale worked to set up their man Elia Viviani, who out sprinted Mark Cavendish for third place, giving them 4 and 3 points respectively. Those three points move Cav above Degenkolb in the points standings, so he could be in the red point's jersey tonight. Last year, of course, he lost the red jersey at the race end by a single point, so he may have decided to contest as many intermediate sprints as possible. Though, he seemed to not ride hard for the next few available, missing out.

With about 90 km remaining, the gap was already down to around two minutes and courtesy of Podium Cafe (where I follow all the races), I have a new game: GeoGuessr. 

Apparently is it also Wurf pun day on twitter: 

nyvelocity 6:34am via TweetDeck

Someone need to calculate what all this TV exposure is Wurf.

nyvelocity 6:45am via TweetDeck

Omega must think it's wurf their while to keep this gap manageable.

They continued on and with about 80 km to go, the gap was at almost three minutes. Along the road today: Castel del Monte, a 13th-century citadel.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/5/9/4314796/giro-ditalia-stage-6-live#comments

Back in the race: Omega Pharma Quick Step and FDJ continued to set the tempo as the peloton rolled along the coastline, with vines along the road. The gap continued to drop and with 50 km to go it was at about 1:30. 
And then, a crash with 32.5 km remaining. As the peloton made its way through the finishing straight for the first of two circuits around Margherita di Savoia, the road narrowed and dozens of riders got tangled up. The result was a roadblock that acted as a dam – nobody could get through, including Bradley Wiggins. Wiggins was around two minutes behind the peloton by the time he got back on his bike, however, the peloton slowed and allowed the large Wiggins group to rejoin the pack with about 22km left.
TeamSky 7:48am via web

Luckily, the lead group look to have slowed so the majority of the peloton can join back up with them after that massive tumble. #giro

And once they were back together, it was time for the sprint trains. Would Omega Pharma-QuickStep get it right?

SC_Cycling 8:04am via web

20k out, Omega Pharma train begins dutifully chanting, "I think I can, I think I can..." #giro

inrng 8:19am via web

Wiggins himself is leading the bunch, presumably reciting the 3km rule to himself. FDJ queued on his wheel, like the old days

https://twitter.com/giroditalia/status/332524367449833473/photo/1

Mark Cavendish took his second stage win of the Giro d'Italia, finishing a bike length clear of Elia Viviani (Cannondale) and Matt Goss (Orica-GreenEdge) at the end of the high-speed stage. Led out perfectly by his Omega Pharma-QuickStep teammates, Cavendish never looked in danger.

From the Guardian: After a perfect lead-out, Mark Cavendish likens his team to a Caterham kit-car: "You have all these parts that fit together and I'm just the exhaust ... the last bit that makes the most noise." Nice. In an even classier touch, he asks his interviewer if he's still on live television and, upon being assured that he is, says he'd like to dedicate his win to the late Wouter Weyland.

 Stage: 

Result
1	Mark Cavendish (GBr) Omega Pharma-Quick Step	3:56:03
2	Elia Viviani (Ita) Cannondale Pro Cycling
3	Matthew Harley Goss (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge
4	Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) FDJ
5	Mattia Gavazzi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli
6	Manuel Belletti (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
7	Davide Appollonio (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
8	Giacomo Nizzolo (Ita) RadioShack Leopard
9	Matti Breschel (Den) Team Saxo-Tinkoff
10	Roberto Ferrari (Ita) Lampre-Merida

General Classification

1	Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha
2	Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling	0:00:17
3	Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:26
4	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team	0:00:31
5	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp	0:00:34
6	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
7	Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha	0:00:36
8	Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling	0:00:37
9	Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia	0:00:39
10	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:42

 

Rubino Primitivo 'Punto Aquila' 2010 From Biondivino $20.00
 
http://www.tenuterubino.com/en/vino.asp?cat=43

Importer: http://vinitywinecompany.com/

Classification: red – IGT Salento
Alcohol level: 14,00 %  by vol.
Analysis: pH 3,70 – total acidity 5,30 g/l
Grape variety: Primitivo 100%
Production vintage: 80.000 bottles
Vineyards location: Brindisi
Soil characteristics: medium consistency
Altitude: 100 m above sea level
Year of implant: 2000
Training system: Cordon trained, spur pruned
Vines per hectare: 6.000
Yields per hectare: 7 tons
Harvest: first days of September
Fermentation: 10 days in steel tanks
Maceration: 15 days at controlled temperature
Malolactic fermentation: totally carried out
Maturation: 4 months in 40 hl wood tanks
Bottle maturation: 4-6 months
Vintages: 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007
Serving temperature: 18° C
Glass: red wine goblet.

Colour: dark ruby
Bouquet: this full and enveloping wine shows ethereal, fragrant and rich notes. It displays scents and nuance of cherries in brandy, mulberry jam, blueberry and blackcurrant, humus, tobacco and ginger, black pepper and herbs;
Taste: dynamic, coherent and of strong impact, it shows fascinating mineral aromas that well combine with the powerful structure of the fruit, the acidity and the pleasant and exuberant tannins;
Characteristics: it’s a warm and complex wine with a flighty personality, generous and vibrant, intense and concentrated, surprising while ageing;
Food matches: perfect with 'bucatini' in boar meat sauce, 'pappardelle' in hare sauce, rigatoni 'con la pajata', pork stew,  tripe rolls, stuffed meat rolls with tomato sauce, 'spiedo di manzo al lardo' (spit roasted beef with lard)  and tuna stew with mint. Very good with medium-seasoned cheeses.

I say: A steak wine. Luckily, we had one from 4505 Meats. Powerful and full, yet still graceful.  Minerals and dark fruit.

Wines of the Giro Stage 5: Gricos Aglianico and Degenkolb

http://www.gazzetta.it/static_images/ciclismo/giroditalia/2013/zoom/planimetria_05.jpg

Cosenza to Matera, 203km
 From the Garibaldi:
A very fast stage. Two GPMs on the race route, but on climbs that are not at all difficult. Stage starts with a shallow, continuous descent as far as Mongrassano where it rises to GPM of Cipolletto. The next 120 km are more or less straight (mostly along the coast of the Ionian Sea) on moderately wide roads as far as the short, abrupt Montescaglioso climb (wide road). Short descent then false flat uphill to the stage finish at Matera.

Last kms descending slightly from -3 km to the final km, through wide urban avenues with some slight curves. Two left-hand curves either side of the flamme rouge lead to the final straight, 800 m, all slightly uphill (width 7.5 m, surfaced with asphalt).

Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, as I woke to word of torrential rains at the finish of the day's stage. Indeed, the pictures confirm this. Meanwhile, the riders have started the day on dry roads. The break of the day formed early with Tomas Gil (Androni Venezuela), Alan Marangoni (Cannondale), Ricardo Mestre (Euskaltel-Euskadi), Brian Bulgac (Lotto Belisol), Rafael Andriato (Vini Fantini Selle Italia). 

TeamSky 6:17am via Web

80km to go an GreenEdge and Quick-Step are leading the peloton for their sprinters. The break's gap has fallen to 6:25 now. #giro

I particularly enjoyed this update from the Guardian in the UK: 2:32 pm: It's quite windy out on the road now and with 66km to go, a lot of the riders have put on sleeveless gillets to keep their chests warm. Men putting on coats - that's what we're reduced to reporting here, on this slow sporting news day in which nothing much has happened, especially in the world of football. That's gillets, by the way, as opposed to gillies. Although it would certainly spice up the afternoon's cycling entertainment if the riders were forced to carry shotgun-toting Scottish hunting guides on the back of their bikes.

With 60 km to go, the gap was at 5:50, with the peloton was in the rain and the break in the sun. Conventional widsom, by the way,is that on a flat stage like this, it takes a the peloton traveling at full speed 10 kilometres to knock one minute out of a breakaway group traveling at full speed. By 50 km remaining the gap had already dropped to 4:30, though the climb and pouring rain ahead may interfere with the usual timing of the catch. The two main questions are: will the break be caught and will the sprinters make it over the final climb?
From twitter:
nyvelocity 6:54am via TweetDeck

Riders are busy gathering two of every sort of animal for today's Giro finish.

40 km to go and the gap was under 3 minutes. By 30 km to go, the gap was at about two minutes The good news from ahead was that it had stopped raining at the finish.

  opqscyclingteam 7:24am via TweetDeck

Approaching Cat 4 climb to Montescaglioso. (Roughly 4km, averages 6.3% ramps of 9%) 29km to go, gap 1'21". #OPQS letting others chase. #Giro

opqscyclingteam 7:32am via TweetDeck

22.4km to go, Movistar, Garmin-Sharp, Sky riders on the front as the break is caught. #Giro

Up next was the 4 km climb. With 20 km to go, lots of footage of Mark Cavendish weaving up the hill, making me miss Bernie Eisel and wonder if there will be Breakfast with Bernie again at the Tour de France this year. Of course, Eisel and Cav are no longer teammates, Eisel having stayed at Sky when Cav transferred to Omega Pharma-Quick Step.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/5/8/4311320/giro-ditalia-stage-5-live#comment

Behind, it was not looking good for the Cavendish group.

  inrng 7:58am via Web

Cavendish's group is 45 seconds behind with 6.3km to go

Cav's group, it appears, has given up and is no longer attempting to catch the peloton. With about 5 kilometers to go, there are 80 or so riders in the front group, including all of the race favorites. 

Crash! A few riders made it through the corner but most of the peloton was blocked or delayed. Ahead, John Degenkolb (Argos-Shimano) took the stage win.

inrng 8:08am via Web

It wasn't a sprint, Degenkolb rode final kilometre by himself after the crash. Crash was caused by riding slipping on white paint on corner

nyvelocity 8:09am via TweetDeck

Degenkolb avoids crashing teammate, shuts down the solo flyer, leads self out and wins, no biggie.

GC:

• 1. Luca PAOLINI, Katusha 
• 2. Rigoberto URAN URAN, Sky, at :17
• 3. Benat INTXAUSTI ELORRIAGA, Movistar, at :26
• 4. Vincenzo NIBALI, Astana, at :31
• 5. Ryder HESJEDAL, Garmin-Sharp, at :34
• 6. Bradley WIGGINS, Sky, at :34
• 7. Giampaolo CARUSO, Katusha, at :36
• 8. Sergio Luis HENAO MONTOYA, Sky, at :37
• 9. Mauro SANTAMBROGIO, Vini Fantini-Selle Italia, at :39
• 10. Cadel EVANS, BMC Racing, at :42

Gricos Aglianico Del Vulture 2008
From the importer:

Aglianico is the best known 'big red' grape in southern Italy, and there are two places where it grows particularly well, Taurasi in Campania and Monte Vulture in Basilicata. The areas are less than two hours from each other, both are volcanic in geology, and both produce magnificent red wines, amongst the most ageworthy in Italy (or anywhere else, for that matter). Grifalco is an excellent producer of Aglianico del Vulture owned by the Piccin family, who were originally wine producers in Tuscany but decided that southern Italy, Basilicata in particular, was more promising. I think they're right. Gricos is their everyday barbeque wine, made from young vines but nonetheless meaty and substantial. 

Aglianico del Vulture ‘Gricos’  

• 100% Aglianico estate-grown in four different vineyards in the Vulture area (vine age: 15 yrs) 
• Vinified in a forward, drinkable style but still an ample, very flavorful red wine with a deep plummy color  
• Aged in large barrels for 12 months  
• Production: 2500 cases 
• Drink with beef, lamb, cheeses or substantial pasta dishes

I say: Balsamic, herbs,very dark fruit. Firm tannins on the finish. Without food I was not thrilled, but served with a meatloaf made with beef and Italian sausage, it really came alive. 

Wines of the Giro Stage 4: Battaglin & Falanghina

http://www.gazzetta.it/static_images/ciclismo/giroditalia/2013/zoom/planimetria_04.jpg

Policastro - Serra San Bruno 

From the Garibaldi:  Long stage at 246 km. The first 190 km are mostly flat with slightly rolling sections along the SS18. Road surface in good condition, with some lit tunnels along the race route. The other side of the Lamezia Terme plain, the climb begins towards Maierato and Vibo Valentia (GPM: Gran Premio della Montagna or King of the Mountain) with very ‘pedalable' gradients despite short, very steep stretches (road surface paved with stone slabs in some villages). Beyond Vibo Valentia, the road descends as far as the final climb up to Croce Ferrata (Intermediate Sprint at Soriano Calabro, the half-way point of the climb) with gradients of around 5%. Stage finish is 7 km after the GPM.

After the GPM at Croce Ferrata the road loses altitude quite quickly, first narrow and twisting, then from -6 to -3 km along a wide road. Final 3km climbing towards the town centre. At 600m the road narrows and the surface is stone slabs. The finishing straight is 550 m long and 6m wide with a slight upward gradient.

The first uphill finish of this year's race and the question of the day is whether or not Katusha will be able to keep Luca Paolini in the race leader's jersey after yesterday's stage win. Early on, pre-video, the break of the day formed with: Johan Le Bon (FDJ), Francis Mourey (FDJ), Julien Berard (AG2R), Emanuele Sella (Androni Giocattoli), Miguel Minguez (Euskaltel), Ioannis Tamouridis (Euskaltel), and Pim Ligthart (Vacansoleil). They are mainly a group of non-threatening riders, though the presence of Sella would keep the teams behind alert. 
With a little under 200 km remaining the break riders had a lead of 7:55 over the peloton behind. Things continued and with less that 100 km to go, the breakaway was 3:50 ahead of the Katusha led peloton. The break split, with Minguez, Ligthart, Le Bon and Berard pushing up ahead, probably hoping that the peloton would chase less aggressively if they dropped Sella. 
With about 73 kms left, Be-in went live and I no longer had to fight livestream pop-ups. Note: I sometimes like to think of finding the right x as a not very exciting video game. 

With 65 km to go, the gap was down to 4:00. Action ahead as they climb?

mrconde 6:57am via Web

Vini-Fantini really set a high pace and in no time the gap has gone from 4 min to 1½ min. 57,4 km to go. #giro

Then as word came of rain at the finish, the break attacked each other. Much to the amusement of the tv commentators, the Euskatel rider, Minguez, had just loaded up his jersey with water bottles in preparation for the catch and had almost a hunchback created by bottles. He ended up tossing them to the side and riding ahead on his own. From twitter:

nyvelocity 7:07am via TweetDeck

Sammy Sanchez is all like, "Where's Minguez with my water?"

Sure enough, rain on the camera lens and more limited video. 

TeamSky 7:23am via Web

The weather is making it's presence felt now with 43km to go. Heavy rain at the finish and it's reaching the peloton now. #Giro

Nervous time for the peloton and after a commercial the sight of Nibali on the side of the road getting a wheel from a teammate. It was time for a chase back to the bunch. And chase he did, making it back to the main peloton in time for the climbs ahead. 

inrng 7:54am via Web

20km to go and a group of five riders trying to go clear on the descent but the bunch will surely catch then on the Croce Ferrata climb?

  opqscyclingteam 8:06am via TweetDeck

14.2km to go, gap went from 1 minute to 37" quickly. #Giro. Pirazzi, Quintero, Rabottini still chasing.

A solo attack by Sylvain Georges looked good for a little while, but he was caught as twitter groaned at the sight of Danilo Di Luca.

 

  giroditalia 8:20am via Twitter for iPhone

Attack by Di Luca (FAN) and Chalapud (COL) 8 km left / Attacco di Di Luca (FAN) e Chalapud (COL) 8 km dall'arrivo #giro

Would they make it?

giroditalia 8:26am via Twitter for iPhone

Di Luca, Chalapud > 10'' > Peloton / Gruppo. 5 km left #giro

No, but it was very close. Enrico Battaglin (Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox) won the sprint of a surprisingly large group to win the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Tuesday. The peloton, which included all the favourites, caught late breakaway rider Danilo Di Luca with only a few hundred meters to go, and Battagli took the win by several bike lengths over Fabio Felline (Androni) and Giovanni Visconti (Movistar).

Stage:

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/5/7/4307588/giro-ditalia-stage-4-live

 

 

 

GC:  

1	Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha
2	Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling	0:00:17
3	Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:26
4	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team	0:00:31
5	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp	0:00:34
6	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling
7	Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha	0:00:36
8	Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling	0:00:37
9	Mauro Santambrogio (Ita) Vini Fantini-Selle Italia	0:00:39
10	Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team	0:00:42

Antica Masseria Venditti Falanghina Sannio Vandari 2010: 

From the importer: 
Wine Description: The Mastroberardino family has been dedicated to making wine from ancient varieties that are indigenous to the region. Falanghina is the primary grape for the Sannio appellation and is named after "phalange" which is Latin for "supported by stakes." Many believe this grape to have been the basis of the legendary Falernum wine, the most prized wine of ancient Rome, due to its unique profile and fragrance.

Tasting Notes: Pale lemon-green in color, this Falanghina displays fresh aromas of lemon citrus, pineapple and white flowers. On the palate, these layered notes are complimented by zesty acidity and hints of honeysuckle and toasted almond that linger into the finish. This summer-sipper is a definite crowd-pleaser.

Food Pairing: Serve it with oysters, clams, scallops or seafood stews.

• Vineyard  & Production Info

  • Production area/appellation: Sannio DOC
  • Vineyard name: The Sannio zone/Benevento area
  • Vineyard size: 105 acres
  • Soil composition: Sandy and volcanic
  • Training method: Guyot
  • Elevation: 825 feet
  • Vines/acre: 1,200
  • Yield/acre: 4 tons
  • Exposure: Southern/Eastern
  • Year vineyard planted: 1970
  • Harvest time: September
  • First vintage of this wine: 1996
  • Bottles produced of this wine: 80,000

I say: Purchased and not consumed for a Giro stage last year. Citrus, flowers and indeed almond. Another winner.

Wines of the Giro Stage 3: Ravello Bianco and Paolini

http://www.gazzetta.it/static_images/ciclismo/giroditalia/2013/zoom/planimetria_03.jpg

Stage 3: Sorrento - Marina di Ascea 222 km

From the official roadbook (Called the Garibaldi): "Stage divided into three parts. The first on the Amalfi  peninsula with a circuit to be covered twice before passing San Pietro and following the coast to Salerno. From Salerno (intermediate sprint), largely straight and flat roads to Agropoli (intermediate sprint). The final part in Cilento has many curves. It rises and falls continuously. There are two GPMs with technical descents, the second of which levels out 1500 m from the finish line. 
The final kilometres are descending with demanding sections on well-surfaced roads of medium width. The final 1.500 m are flat with a finishing straight 400 m long and 6 m wide, surfaced with asphalt." 

Perhaps a bit too rolling for the sprinters? Perhaps the first real breakaway of the race? Time to find out.
Sure enough, before I even had live video a break formed:
giroditalia 4:57am via web

Taborre, Boaro, Wauters, Pantano, Bellemakers, J. Rodriguez, De Backer > 6'30'' > Peloton. 140 km left #Giro

And so they continued, with the break maintaining a good gap (wth video, thanks to a livestream of Eurosport).

With about 73 kilometers remaining, Bein sport started the coverage and there are bikes on my tv! I could see, without pop-up ads, the gap continuing to drop as the lead riders challenged each other for the King of the Mountain points at the top of the climb. Behind, Sky came to the front of the peloton, perhaps to defend the pink jersey? 
Further behind, the first grupetto of the race formed with Cavendish and several other sprinters.
opqscyclingteam 6:48am via TweetDeck

A lot of riders off the back. Cavendish is one, but has two #OPQS teammates with him in a group of several sprinters. #Giro

A grupetto, by the way, is a group of riders, usually sprinters, that forms on mountain stages when non-climbers fall off the back of peloton during the climb.  Their primary concern is arriving at the finish before the day's elimination time to ensure their survival in a multi-stage race. I like to imagine them whistling and singing, but the reality is that it can be a rather desperate and precise race to get in before the time cut. 

Up front, the gap was down to just a little bit over 4 minutes with 56km remaining and Taborre set out on his own, gaining about 20 seconds over his compatriots in the break Behind, the slow pace has allowed the gruppeto to return to the main peloton. 

With 40 km to go, the gap from Taborre to the peloton was 3:40 min. Could he hold on? I doubt it, but it happens sometimes. 

And then, a race broke out, with Garmin and Astana leading attacks. 

From twitter:

mrconde 7:49am via Web

Taborre is caught. Hesjedal in front now. 25 km to go. Astana leading the chase... Except Nibali to attack on the final descent. #giro

But Hesjedal was soon caught.

giroditalia 7:52am via Web

The peloton is again packed, 23 km left. / Gruppo di nuovo compatto, 23 km all'arrivo. #giro 

With the race leader, Salvatore Puccio, dropped, there would be a new race leader tonight. Continuing on there was a group of approximately 10 riders in the front, including all of the big favorites. Out of that group, Paolini attacked, powering away and looking like he would stay away. A couple of crashes behind may have helped his cause and indeed, away he stayed, winning the stage and the pink jersey.

giroditalia 8:27am via Web

1) Luca Paolini 2) Cadel Evans 3) Ryder Hesjedal. Luca Paolini is the new Maglia Rosa! / Luca Paolini è la nuova Maglia Rosa! #giro

Stage: Luca Paolini

Race
1	Luca Paolini (Ita) Katusha	9:04:32
2	Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Sky Procycling	0:00:17
3	Rigoberto Uran Uran (Col) Sky Procycling
4	Benat Intxausti Elorriaga (Spa) Movistar Team	0:00:26
5	Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Astana Pro Team	0:00:31
6	Valerio Agnoli (Ita) Astana Pro Team
7	Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Sharp	0:00:34
8	Giampaolo Caruso (Ita) Katusha	0:00:36
9	Yury Trofimov (Rus) Katusha
10	Sergio Luis Henao Montoya (Col) Sky Procycling	0:00:37

If I jump now, I will get in the picture.

Marisa Cuomo Costa D'amalfi Ravello White 2010, $21.99 from 67Wine
Producer website: http://www.marisacuomo.com/it/1028/ravello-bianco.htm
From the Importer:
Harvesting by hand usually starts at the beginning of October. The grapes are gently pressed and a cold maceration is used to obtain the finest fragrance of the fruit. Temperature controlled fermentation takes place in stainless steel for about 20-30 days. Then the wine is decanted into other stainless steel tanks for an additional 2-3 months before bottling.

The Producer: Imagine yourself transported into a time where the Hollywood movies cast Anna Magnani and Roberto Rossellini… now picture them in Furore’s pristine setting on the Amalfi coast. This is a magnificent panorama, with its vineyards perfectly arranged on the stone-walled terraces along the cliffs of Furore, at altitudes between 980 to 1300 feet above sea level. A sunny southern exposure encourages production of high quality grapes in this unique combination of ocean currents, mountains, and high pressure systems, creating a special microclimate responsible for flavorful, complex, and well-balanced wines. A fair share of the credit for developing and spreading the vineyard techniques goes to Marisa Cuomo, wife of Andrea Feraioli (who inherited the estate from his grand-father Raffaele Ferraioli), creating a modern winery with great growth potential following the same style of its enological ancestors. Its volcanic and alluvial soil is the reason for the relatively low yield but produces Campania's finest wines. Recently Marisa and Andrea have worked at replanting the vines and reorganizing the winery to maintain the high quality needed in today's market. In 1995, after the D.O.C. appellation was accepted for the Amalfi coast, this winery received great honors for their Furore and Ravello wines.

Tasting Notes: Ravello Bianco is a straw yellow color with greenish hues. Refreshing, with complex floral, citrus, pear and apple flavors with an emerging polished finish. This elegant wine pairs well with light sauce risottos, fish soups, homemade pastas with delicate sauces, grilled vegetables, seafood platters and fresh cheeses.

The Grapes: 60% Falanghina, 40% Biancolella

Areas and joint production: Ravello and Scala
Exposure and altitude: South / South-West, 300-400 m / slm
Soil: Limestone-dolomite rocks

My thoughts: Another recommendation from Melissa Sutherland. Floral, apples and some honey. Fuller and richer than I expected.

Wines of the Giro: Stage 2: Sky & Ischia Frassitelli

http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2013/it/tappa.shtml?t=01&lang=en

Stage 2 brings us a Team Time Trial of 17.4 km from Ischia to Forio. 
What is a team time trial? Much like in the perhaps better known individual time trial (itt), the riders race against the clock. In contrast to the ITT, in the team time trial, the teams start at equal intervals with the riders drafting (riding in the slipstream) behind each other. Each member takes a turn at the front while team-mates sit in behind. After his turn, the lead rider swings over, allowing the next rider to take the lead, while the leader goes to the back of the team. 

From Inrng: The road twists and turns a lot and has a busy feel, it’s crowded by buildings along the route. Don’t expect wild roads and winds blasting in off the coast. Instead the challenges are man-made with some tight turns and even a tunnel towards the end.

Pre-stage thoughts from twitter: 
taylorphinney 3:42am via Twitter for iPhone

Just drove the TTT course. Everybody was a bit speechless by the time we got through w/it! Gonna be a spectacle, but incredibly difficult!!!

Off the 23 teams went, with 3 minutes between the teams. It has been said before, that TTTs seldom will win the race for a rider, but they can help one to lose. So the pressure is on for Sky, Astana, Garmin and some of the other teams of the favorites for the race (gc) win. The first of these to start was Sky and at the half way point they had the fastest time so far. They finished in 22:05, first place by almost 30 seconds, with more than half the teams still to finish. 

And not that they were expected to win, but this is what not to do in a TTT:

inrng 7:43am via Web

Carrot down... the road. Euskaltel reach the finish with 4 riders but 5 need to cross finish line to stop the clock pic.twitter.com/jTLshz5rK6

Astana came in 14 seconds down to Sky, giving Bradley Wiggins some valuable seconds over Vincenzo Nibali.  

From Jonathan Vaughters on twitter:

Vaughters 7:56am via Twitter for iPhone

Hmmm... BMC and orica slow. Beginning to think the wind shifted a bit for the late starters.

Indeed the later teams did finish slower than expected. Garmin, one of the pre-race favorites, came in 7th giving Wiggins 25 seconds on last year's race winner, Ryder Hesjedal.

And at the end of the day, after a rather slow ride by Omega Pharma Quick Step, Mark Cavendish lost the race leader's pink jersey.
giroditalia 8:10am via Web

1) @TeamSky 2) @Movistar_Team 3) @AstanaTeam.

@SalvatorePuccio (SKY) is the new Maglia Rosa

Casa d’Ambra Ischia Frassitelli 2010, $27.99:

From the producer website: The geographical isolation contributes to the unique climate, historical and cultural characteristics that any island develops. Winemaking in Ischia is not only a source of income but it also helps to protect the environment and to preserve ethnical and cultural traditions. The difficulties Ischia winemakers have to face are related not only with the territory but also with the historical, geographical and socio-economical restraints. All this results in very high production costs: for these reasons Ischia's winemakers have been called 'crazy angels' by the specialized press.

Two great personalities made a major contribution to the creation of our winery's label: the French champagne producer monsieur Chandon, and the movie director Luchino Visconti. Monsieur Chandon, who Mario D'Ambra had met by chance in a café in Naples, contributed to the format by granting the Ischia winemaker permis- sion to use the champagne template. As for Visconti, he gave suggestions as to the layout and content: "...it has to be straightforward: your house, Ischia's sky and sea, and the wording have to stand out ..." And actually the company logo, based on a lithograph by Aniellantonio Mascolo, an Ischia-born artist, represents some key elements, namely huge chestnut containers filled with grapes in the foreground, a palm tree, and the old Villa Garavini, the company's first cellar, in the background.

Producer D'Ambra Vini d'Ischia S.r.l.
Grape production area Tenuta Frassitelli (Pietra Martone and Tifeo): four hectares of steep hillside vineyards at elevation 600 m above sea level with a south-south westerly exposure. Vineyard farming is facilitated by a rack-rail train.
Grapes 100% Biancolella
Production technique Traditional white vinification with cold decantation and thermally-controlled fermentation, storing and bottling. The grape-wine yield is 55 litres. While the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation regular batonage (hand stirring) is applied to enhance flavor.
Colour Straw yellow color.
Bouquet Delicate fruity bouquet with banana and broom flavors.
Palate Intense, delicate, long-lasting palate.
Alcoholic gradation 12 % Vol.
Year Denoted on the label.
To be served at 12/14° C.
Best with Appetizers, fish-based pasta dishes and fish. Linguine with prawns, Ischia's typical rabbit grown in large open pits.

From North Berkeley Wines : Many wineries say they cultivate old vines, but not ones with roots as far back as 800 BC. Many, too, say their terroir is unique—but few are built on sea-green lava beds wrought by the power of ancient volcanoes and the salty, mineral richness of the Mediterranean sea.
Casa d'Ambra can claim both. We were drawn to Casa d'Ambra not only because of the rich viticultural history of Ischia, a beautiful island off the coast of Naples in Campania, but also for the thrill of discovering grapes and wines that so perfectly embody the power and spirit of the sea.
Founded in 1888, the Casa d'Ambra winery has (and continues to be) a family affair. Francesco d'Ambra, originally from Calabria, founded the estate; yet it was his son, Mario, who established Casa d'Ambra as the authority on Ischian wines from cultivating its unique, native grapes. Today, winemaker and enologist (and nephew of Mario) Andrea d'Ambra runs the estate, managing not only the winery's own vineyards but also the small group of dedicated, local farmers who help to grow grapes for the winery.
Casa d'Ambra cultivates native grapes Biancolella, Forestera and Per'e Palummo that are only found on the volcanic island of Ischia.  Vineyards are carved into volcanic rock, which sport a unusual sea-green color, a result of mineral deposits from the sea. You can really taste this sea salty, mineral influence especially in the estate's white wines—making them a sublime pair for seafood.

I say: Another recommendation from Melissa Sutherland. Minerals, minerals, minerals, with some yellow fruit. Delicate and crisp. Lovely. Worth seeking out.