Canei White 750ml

As soon as Epinions added Canei wines to the database, Pennsylvania took them out of the liquor stores. Just my luck. But on a recent trip to Buffalo, NY we stopped at the Premier Wine store. Wow was that an impressive place! I have never seen so many bottles of wine and liquor in one store. They even had shopping carts! I definitely could have spent too much money there. But I settled for several samples including Canei Vino Bianco which is a the white wine made by Canei. Don't tell the PLCB that I smuggled wine over state lines!

Canei makes Italian Semi-Sparkling Wines in the Vino da Tavoa area. While Canei wines were first introduced in 1975 to the United States, they have a long heritage in Milan. The Distillerie F.lli Ramozzotti Spa was started in 1815. Now it is produced and bottled by D.FR. S.p.A. in Canelli, Italy. I really could not find much information on the type of grape used for Canei Vino Bianco but I am assuming it must be a blend of some type.

The bottle is very interesting, not like your normal wine bottle, it is tall, wider at the bottom with a long slender neck. The label is black with gold trim and white lettering. This bottle of Canei does have a very well sealed screw cap and there is a little psst when I open it. Pouring it into the glass you can see some mild carbonation, but not even as much as a glass of soda. Upon swirling there is a slight cling to the sides of my glass and the scent is fresh and crisp. While I can smell grape there is also a bit of apple, citrus and floral.

The color is a pale golden yellow with several bubbles still rising from the bottom.

While the first sip is a little zingy on my tongue because of the carbonation I am definitely getting a big apple taste with this. It almost reminds me of apple cider that is just starting to get a little zip. Not at all unpleasant, but there is really no serious alcohol taste, but at only 8.5% ABV I really wouldn't expect any.

The after taste is just more of the same, zing and apple. But I am getting a little grape taste at the end. Really not at all unpleasant, this would be good to sip on a hot summer afternoon.

I wouldn't pair this with anything heavy or spicy. But roasted chicken or some broiled fish would be good. Also any light bar fair, even popcorn or peanuts, which I actually am pairing my glass with right now.

Of course here I am again with a wine with no birthday, I am sure a no name grape, but Canei Vino Bianco is tasty. And for $4.50 a bottle I won't feel bad about drinking more of a sparkling zippy cider.