Wine of the Week - 03/23/21

Azienda Agricola Elvio Tintero “Kermit Lynch” Rosso

Regularly $14.99/On Sale for $11.96

In 1900 a Frenchman named Pierre Tintero set out for Piedmont in search of work. He found an opportunity to do odd jobs at a small estate where widow Rosina Cortese was struggling to handle all the work herself. Pierre, called “Pietrin” by the locals, quickly became a vital part of the estate and also fell in love with the widow, whom he married two years later. The couple continued to work the vines together and bottled their own Dolcetto for the first time just as war fell in 1914. Years later their grandson would find a stash of this vintage hidden within the walls of the cellar, certainly a precaution against ransacking troops who passed through the area.  Pietrin and Rosina’s two sons, Giovanni and Carlo, eventually took over the estate and expanded it by purchasing adjacent vineyard plots.  Fourth generation descendants Marco and Cinzia now run the estate.

Piemonte is renowned for its deeply perfumed reds, capable of both long aging and inspiring strong emotions in devout followers. Marco Tintero, however, has an entirely different approach. His wines are simple, fun, fresh, and extremely affordable, all while retaining a distinct local identity that makes them wonderful everyday Piemontese sippers. His Rosso is a blend of mainly Barbera and Dolcetto sourced from various sites around the region, fermented in stainless steel and bottled unfiltered. 

This wine is produced and bottled by vintage but due to the fact that Tintero sources his grapes from different parts of Piedmont there is no specific DOC and it is currently not permitted to display vintage on table wines of this type.

Finding a wine as tasty and versatile at this price is not an easy task, especially in Piemonte!   Its fruit-driven flavors and soft tannins—not to mention the screw cap—make it a handy choice for casual meals and an all-purpose red for unpretentious cuisine. Try a bottle, we think you might come back for more!