Lo Zio Vino - Il Cardinale
From winemaker Evan Kretmar. This is a lighter yet sophisticated take on Lambrusco, ‘Il Cardinale’. This wine is 100% Salamino, a particular variety that I enjoyed dating back to my university days. 12 years and thousands of miles later, I found my way back to this grape as it experiences a resurgence in popularity due in part to the proliferation of sustainable agriculture in Emilia-Romagna.
These beautiful grapes, situated on silty, sandy clay soils amidst gentle, undulating hills outside of Mirandola, come from an organic producer located next door to a famous Acetaia (Le Aperte) for old school, legit balsamic vinegar. The vines range in age from 20-30 years and are totally dry-farmed.
Maceration lasted less than 2 hours, just enough to bleed some of that famously inky color from the Salamino skins. The grape has an undeserved reputation for an stanky, overpowering aroma, and in order to counteract this potentially unpleasant experience, the grapes were fermented in Tuscan amphorae, rounding out the edges and imbuing the final wine with that unique mouthfeel particular to clay.
The label features multiple iconographic elements, including the Arch of Saint Louis, my home city, as well as references to my fondness for ornithology and the importance of birds and animals in biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. Finally, it’s a cheeky reference to my Roman history studies of ancient Etruscan diviners who examined the entrails of birds and other sacrificed animals to deduce the will of the gods.
Il Cardinale tastes of watermelon rind with that classic backbone of Salamino spice. Thanks to the brief maceration, in the glass is a pale rose color wafting aromas of pepper and watermelon with a hint of wild strawberry. On the palate all watermelon jolly rancher, with an elegant mousse that sets the scene as an ideal aperitivo companion. The wine also clocks in at only 10.5% abv, is dangerously crushable and perfect for your next beach or pool outing. Serve chilled, enjoy with friends.
Region: Amaro on the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Grape: Lambrusco Salamino
Vintage: 2023
750 ml
From winemaker Evan Kretmar. This is a lighter yet sophisticated take on Lambrusco, ‘Il Cardinale’. This wine is 100% Salamino, a particular variety that I enjoyed dating back to my university days. 12 years and thousands of miles later, I found my way back to this grape as it experiences a resurgence in popularity due in part to the proliferation of sustainable agriculture in Emilia-Romagna.
These beautiful grapes, situated on silty, sandy clay soils amidst gentle, undulating hills outside of Mirandola, come from an organic producer located next door to a famous Acetaia (Le Aperte) for old school, legit balsamic vinegar. The vines range in age from 20-30 years and are totally dry-farmed.
Maceration lasted less than 2 hours, just enough to bleed some of that famously inky color from the Salamino skins. The grape has an undeserved reputation for an stanky, overpowering aroma, and in order to counteract this potentially unpleasant experience, the grapes were fermented in Tuscan amphorae, rounding out the edges and imbuing the final wine with that unique mouthfeel particular to clay.
The label features multiple iconographic elements, including the Arch of Saint Louis, my home city, as well as references to my fondness for ornithology and the importance of birds and animals in biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. Finally, it’s a cheeky reference to my Roman history studies of ancient Etruscan diviners who examined the entrails of birds and other sacrificed animals to deduce the will of the gods.
Il Cardinale tastes of watermelon rind with that classic backbone of Salamino spice. Thanks to the brief maceration, in the glass is a pale rose color wafting aromas of pepper and watermelon with a hint of wild strawberry. On the palate all watermelon jolly rancher, with an elegant mousse that sets the scene as an ideal aperitivo companion. The wine also clocks in at only 10.5% abv, is dangerously crushable and perfect for your next beach or pool outing. Serve chilled, enjoy with friends.
Region: Amaro on the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Grape: Lambrusco Salamino
Vintage: 2023
750 ml
From winemaker Evan Kretmar. This is a lighter yet sophisticated take on Lambrusco, ‘Il Cardinale’. This wine is 100% Salamino, a particular variety that I enjoyed dating back to my university days. 12 years and thousands of miles later, I found my way back to this grape as it experiences a resurgence in popularity due in part to the proliferation of sustainable agriculture in Emilia-Romagna.
These beautiful grapes, situated on silty, sandy clay soils amidst gentle, undulating hills outside of Mirandola, come from an organic producer located next door to a famous Acetaia (Le Aperte) for old school, legit balsamic vinegar. The vines range in age from 20-30 years and are totally dry-farmed.
Maceration lasted less than 2 hours, just enough to bleed some of that famously inky color from the Salamino skins. The grape has an undeserved reputation for an stanky, overpowering aroma, and in order to counteract this potentially unpleasant experience, the grapes were fermented in Tuscan amphorae, rounding out the edges and imbuing the final wine with that unique mouthfeel particular to clay.
The label features multiple iconographic elements, including the Arch of Saint Louis, my home city, as well as references to my fondness for ornithology and the importance of birds and animals in biodiversity and regenerative agriculture. Finally, it’s a cheeky reference to my Roman history studies of ancient Etruscan diviners who examined the entrails of birds and other sacrificed animals to deduce the will of the gods.
Il Cardinale tastes of watermelon rind with that classic backbone of Salamino spice. Thanks to the brief maceration, in the glass is a pale rose color wafting aromas of pepper and watermelon with a hint of wild strawberry. On the palate all watermelon jolly rancher, with an elegant mousse that sets the scene as an ideal aperitivo companion. The wine also clocks in at only 10.5% abv, is dangerously crushable and perfect for your next beach or pool outing. Serve chilled, enjoy with friends.
Region: Amaro on the Lombardia and Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Grape: Lambrusco Salamino
Vintage: 2023
750 ml