2011 Kris Heart Rosso

Kris Wine is an Italian winery based in Alto Adige, the northern region that borders Austria and Switzerland. As I've written before, the area is heavily influenced by Germanic culture and language, and thus is often associated with the kind of lighter white wines you'll find in those countries, as well as similar border regions like Alsace.

While this wine was made in Alto Adige, the grapes were sourced from throughout the entire length of the country, and the varieties involved are not what you normally think of when you're thinking about when you're looking at the Dolomite Mountains.

The distinctive labels were created by the polymath Riccardo Schweizer (1925–2004, painter, sculptor, designer, architect, etc.), who studied under Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. Sometimes a wine label is just a one off design that came out of a cubicle somewhere (like when I worked in graphic design), and other times there is a deeper story there. It's amazing how much great art we pass by every day without stopping to take a look and appreciate it.

2011 Kris Heart Rosso
Italy
60% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Montepulciano
$14, 13.5% abv.

I would suggest letting this one breathe a little bit to soften before serving. It starts out with tart raspberry and cherry aromas, firm tannins, and a long cherry skin finish. However, with a little air and time, it balances out and serves as a great casual, mid-week, pizza and burger kind of wine. I had it with a plate of St. Louis-style toasted ravioli and marinara sauce, a childhood favorite that I still revisit once in a while.

Note: This wine was provided as a sample for review.