Great Grape, Charlie Brown!

Although seldom seen outside the northern Italian region of Trentino, Teroldego is known for producing wines of considerable character and quality. One unique microclimate is the Campo Rotaliano. It's a small, relatively flat glacial vale around the confluence of the Adigo and Noce rivers. With a terroir providing weather protection and soils composed of silt and gravel, this sensitive varietal has ideal conditions in which to grow.

The wines are full-bodied, rich with black cherry, blackberry, plum and spice flavors and an earthy tar aroma. Low in tannins yet high in acidity, these wines are best consumed young, but when yields are low and production values high they can take several years of bottle aging. There is a fascinating interplay of yin/yang on the palate making this wine extremely unique and complex.

We enjoyed a 2003 estate-bottled Teroldego Rotaliano with a ground pheasant italian sausage, onion, green pepper, diced tomato and whole wheat penne skillet.