Marta Valpiani is a boutique family-run winery from Emilia-Romagna in Northern Italy. Their Rio Pierta Sangiovese is funky, complex, and earthy. Mushroom, wild strawberry, red cherry cola, molasses-soaked chewing tobacco, English tea, spearmint, and leather are among just a few of the flavors that capture the breadth of notes that set Rio Pierta above other Sangioveses in my book. While this may not be a traditional Sangiovese, the traditional pairing with a Neapolitan pizza sounds perfect to me.
Marta Valpiani, Romagna (Emilia-Romagna, Italy) Sangiovese 2019
By Vince Simmon