Wine Tasting – Jan 29

Join us on Thursday, Jan 29, 4–6 pm for an easygoing wine tasting in the harbor.

This tasting kicks off a new series inspired by the recent Manchester wine event, where our distributors introduced us to winemakers and a lineup of standout bottles. Over the next few tastings, we’ll be sharing some of our favorites from that event.

We’ll start with the Barolo everyone has been asking for—previous shipments sold out before we could even taste it, but this time we’ve secured extra stock. From there, we’ll pour a ski-themed French Savoie Gamay, a classic GSM Côtes du Rhône, and finish with a crisp Domaine Fourrey Chablis.

The tasting is free and very casual. Stop by anytime between 4 and 6 pm and stay as long as you like. A well-appointed charcuterie board will be on hand to enjoy along the way.

Make an evening of it in Sunapee Harbor by starting with the tasting and continuing on to Wildwood Smokehouse, the Blue Canoe or Hoptimystic.

2020 Altre Vie Barolo

The 2020 Altre Vie Barolo is a collaborative project that recreates the classic, traditional style of Barolo by blending Nebbiolo from several historic crus. This wine embodies the generous and approachable character of the 2020 vintage. The nose is intense and complex, offering notes of red plum, black cherry, and wild berries, well-integrated with hints of licorice, wild rose, and a distinctive earthy/mineral touch and subtle spice. On the palate, it’s medium-to-full-bodied and juicy, with notable fruit concentration that balances Nebbiolo’s austere structure. The tannins are dense and firm, yet well-proportioned and supple for a young Barolo, lending excellent energy. Persistent acidity keeps the palate vibrant. The finish is long and savory, closing with elegant balsamic and mineral accents. This is a classically styled Barolo that, while charming in its youth due to the rich 2020 fruit, possesses the structure for excellent evolution in the bottle.

Winery: Altre Vie
Category: Wine – Still – Red
Grape Variety: Nebbiolo
Region: Barolo/ Piedmont/ Italy
Vineyards: Barolo village, Monforte d’Alba, Bussia, Castiglione Falletto “Garbelletto”
Winery established: 2021
Feature: biodynamic practices

Soil: Sant Agata fossil’s marls with 10% of limestone
Elevation: 220 – 280 meter (722 – 918 feet)
Age of vines: 25 – 55- 60 years
Vinification: Hand-harvest. 45-day maceration, fermentation, and ageing in large oak casks.
Tasting Note: As a blend of single vineyards, the Altre Vie Barolo is always more approachable when young and with softer tannins. It is the Barolo as “it just to be” in the past. In fact until 40 years ago, Barolo was always a blend of vineyards located in the different subzones. It ages very well, and the flavors are really complex, starting from the red fruit, followed by rose and finished with the spiciness.

Domaine Chantepierre -Côtes du Rhône

 Bright lively garnet red. Powerful, aromas of spice and red fruit. Soft attack, structured and mellowed, good long finish.

Grape varieties: 60% Grenache Noir, 20% Syrah, 10% Carignan, 10% Mourvèdre

Age of the vines: 25 years

Yield: 45 hl/ha

Terroir: Clay and limestone.

Winemaking: Harvest is destemmed. Vating for 2 weeks. Pumping-over several times during the alcoholic fermentation.

Tasting: Bright lively garnet red. Powerful, aromas of spice and red fruit. Soft attack, structured and mellowed, good long finish.

Food pairings: This wine goes perfectly with grilled red and white meat, charcuterie, tarts, fresh pasta, Lasagne or Cannelloni and cheese.

Serving temperature: between 16°C and 18°C

Ageing potential: 2 to 4 years