Welcome to "New World Wine and Drink," a recurring series that bridges the gap between ancient European traditions and bold American innovation. This series will showcase visionaries, such as those behind Broc Cellars Amore Rosso, who are adapting Italian grape varieties to unique U.S. micro-climates. Join us as we explore the future of culinary excellence, one region at a time.
Italian grapes in California? Paired with a grilled burger! Italian wines are crafted from Italian grape varieties grown on Italian vines, right? What happens when you plant 25 Italian grape varieties (along with some Spanish ones too) in Northern California? That’s the question the winemakers at Fox Hill Vineyards likely considered when they produced their first Nero d’Avola in 2013. While this wine may not fit the strict definition of “Italian,” it certainly reflects an Italian approach in quality and creativity.
Now, under the Broc Cellars label and led by Chris Brockaway, the winery is crafting a range of wines using Italian, Spanish, and domestic grape varieties. Although we haven’t yet met the winemaker, it’s evident that we share a passion for Italian style wines. Our first taste was their 2023 Broc Cellars Amore Rosso, which I would describe as an elevated classic table wine. This wine is fruit-forward, well balanced, and pairs beautifully with pizza, but we enjoyed it alongside a grilled burger topped with a thick slice of summer beefsteak tomato. It was a match made in heaven, as the flavors of the wine and burger melded together beautifully.
What’s fascinating about this wine is the blend of Italian grape varieties with a subtle hint of Northern California terroir. The Amore Rosso features a blend of Barbera and Dolcetto grapes, with additional Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes that add more structure. The growing conditions share many similarities with where these grapes thrive, thanks to the mountains, cooler evenings, and coastal climates. I appreciate how Broc Cellars embraces this style, allowing their wines to remain as true to their Italian origins as possible. When Italian grape varieties were first planted in California, many winemakers aimed for them to reflect the bold style of California wines like Cabernet or Zinfandel. However, the Amore Rosso truly earns its name, as it almost speaks to you in Italian. At $28 a bottle for a high-quality California wine, the value is hard to beat.
Click below to check out Broc Cellars 2023 Amore Rosso.