Where to begin looking for a perfect summer wine among racks and racks of choices? I consulted our knowledgeable friends at Joe Canal’s Discount Liquor of Rio Grande. Greeted at the door by district manager for Francis Ford Coppola Wines, Erika Jurden, I got the skinny on the best of the best in Coppola summer vino. The winery’s most recent releases were both inspired and imagined by Francis’ granddaughter, Gia. Of the design and production process, Gia has said:
“I was always envious that every family member had a wine and I loved watching the process of how the idea evolves. It’s very much like making a movie- -there’s all these different components you have to check on – the designing, the tasting, the marketing. So I was excited when it finally came my turn. I wanted something that is light and is more directed to younger people trying to understand wine.”
Representing five generations of the family Coppola in the film industry, Gia Coppola is not only an accomplished filmmaker, she’s also a talented photographer, artist and impromptu mixologist. In 2012, after sitting on the board of directors for the family’s wine, food and resort business for more than a decade it seems fitting that Gia was inspired to create her own line of wines. Gia worked alongside Francis and the winemaking and design teams to create a wine brand that reflects her personality. The collaboration garnered three distinct wines for Gia by Gia Coppola — Frizzante Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir — crafted to be light, unpretentious and inspiring.
1. Gia Pinot Noir
This Pinot Noir features impressions of fresh picked strawberries and raspberries with pomegranate. Its fruit is grown in cool climate vineyards across the state of California. Gia Pinot Noir’s fragrant apice notes mingle with nuances of strawberries, raspberries, and peaches. Lean and smooth, the wine shows good length and an aromatic finish that hints ever so surprisingly at coconut. In production, this wine is finshised entirely in stainless steel in order to flaunt its lively fruit character. It is said to pair beautifully with pesto pasta, roasted chicken, and linguine with pesto sauce.
2. Gia Pinot Grigio
An excellent and very drinkable summertime Pinot Grigio, this Gia is characterized by bright flavors of lemon, peaches, and minerals. Fresh, crisp notes of these citrus and peach flavors are enlivened by a perfume of honeysuckle and flowers. This, like all other Gia wines, is finished entirely in stainless stell in order to preserve the wine’s fruit character. This perky wine has a light body, with a hint of spritz, making it delightfully refreshing. Gia Pinot Grigio pairs best with shellfish, spring rolls, and summer salads.
3. Gia Frizzante Chardonnay
This Chardonnay is delightfully unique, explains Erika, as it features a “bubbly, fizz to it”. It is 100% Chardonnay and is delicately sweet with notes of pears, honey, and flowers. Gia Frizzante is delicately sweet with notes of pears, honey, and flowers. It features an alluring perfume of passion fruit, honey and flowers as well as flavors of pears and pineapples. A hint of residual sugar gives this vivacious sparkling wine the quality of Italian Asti. It is said to pair beautifully with soft cheeses and fruit desserts. It is also delicious on its own as an aperitif and works equally well with dishes like Paella and spicy Asian cuisine. It’s light and elegant on the palate and should be enjoyed well chilled at 45 degrees.
For more on Gia’s collection, visit www.GiaWines.com. To sample these among hundreds of other premium wines, visit Joe Canal’s of Rio Grande and be sure to check out their monthly wine specials on http://www.joecanals.com/rio-grande/. Teeming with knowledge and wine world possibilities, Joe Canal’s offers a unique shopping experience.
1613 State Highway 47 South , Rio Grande
(609) 886-9786