Readers may recall that we previously reviewed a rose, F, produced by Locations Wine. (A short recap of the Locations concept here—-these wines are crafted from grapes sourced from premier vineyards found in the world’s best locations.) In this post, we review I and P; in case you’re wondering, I is the product of grapes grown in Italy; P, from Portugal.

I is a blend of Negroamaro, Nero d’Avola, and Barbera, and these varietals represent fruit from Puglia located Southern region of Italy as well as Barbera located in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. The result is a rich, complex wine with aromas of blackberry, charcuterie, fall spices and cedar. A fruity palate of dark berries gives way to spice and oak nuances. Enjoy with Italian fare or with beef dishes, a platter of sliced dried meats, and hard cheeses.

If roasted chops are on the menu, consider P, a blend of Portuguese grapes that includes Touriga Nacional, Trincadeira, and Touriga Franca. P also presents a fruity nose and palate with notes of plum, cherry and blackberry; hints of anise and black pepper also come out to play. We enjoyed P with roasted pork chops and roasted potatoes sprinkled with basil, thyme, and rosemary.

We again thank Balzac Communications for the opportunity to enjoy these wines. Seek out these unique wines at your local wine shop and mention that Virginia Wine Time sent you.