La Chiamata 2019
Classic Movie Pairing
Cinema Paradiso (1988)Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, this charming Italian drama tells the story of a boy and his mentor: the projectionist at his local theater. The relationship instills a lifelong love of cinema, which leads to his becoming a renowned film director. La Chiamata translates to “the calling,” much like the one in the film. The expressive Italian red pairs well with this poignant Italian counterpart.
THE WINE
Rising star Ludovica Crugnale has answered la chiamata (‘the calling’) to craft wine in her native Abruzzo. And we’re seriously impressed with her Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Ludovica crafted it with hand tended and hand harvested grapes, grown by local legend Signora Maria (below, left, with Ludovica). International Wine & Spirit Competition judges were impressed, too. They rated it 90 points: “full of succulent black fruit, backed by notes of cinnamon and vanilla spice…a very enjoyable wine.”
THE GROWER
Born in the small town of Guardiagrele, Signora Maria Elisii came to Ortona to work the grape harvest in the late 1950s. Women traditionally performed the harvest, selecting and cleaning grapes, then packaging them in special boxes to deliver to the cooperatives. In 1959, Maria married her husband, Antonio, and today, she and their son Graziano farm a precious, four-hectare vineyard. Though, these days, Maria’s grapes are reserved for limited-production releases like La Chiamata.
THE GRAPE
Montepulciano is the Abruzzo region’s flagship red grape and Italy’s second most planted red grape (after Sangiovese). Locals observe several customs related to Montepulciano. For example, when the last bunch is harvested, growers often give thanks to the vines, saying, “Ta ringrazi Die, Ta ringrazi Vite.” New parents also wash their babies in Montepulciano d’Abbruzo to bring them good health and fortune.
WITH FOOD
Ludovica recommends pairing her elegant red with full-flavored cheeses, such as local Pecorino d’Abruzzo or farmhouse Cheddar. She also loves to enjoy it alongside red meats, like roasted lamb or a juicy sirloin steak. And, of course, you can never go wrong with Italian reds and pasta. Try spaghetti and meatballs, Ricotta-stuffed shells or eggplant parmigiana.
What's Not to Love?
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