Canei Vino Bianco or Sparkling Cider, Only the Winery Knows for Sure!

As soon as Epinions added Canei wines to the database, Pennsylvania took them out of the liquor stores. Just my luck. But on a recent trip to Buffalo, NY we stopped at the Premier Wine store. Wow was that an impressive place! I have never seen so many bottles of wine and liquor in one store. They even had shopping carts! I definitely could have spent too much money there. But I settled for several samples including Canei Vino Bianco which is a the white wine made by Canei. Don't tell the PLCB that I smuggled wine over state lines!

Canei makes Italian Semi-Sparkling Wines in the Vino da Tavoa area. While Canei wines were first introduced in 1975 to the United States, they have a long heritage in Milan. The Distillerie F.lli Ramozzotti Spa was started in 1815. Now it is produced and bottled by D.FR. S.p.A. in Canelli, Italy. I really could not find much information on the type of grape used for Canei Vino Bianco but I am assuming it must be a blend of some type.

The bottle is very interesting, not like your normal wine bottle, it is tall, wider at the bottom with a long slender neck. The label is black with gold trim and white lettering. This bottle of Canei does have a very well sealed screw cap and there is a little psst when I open it. Pouring it into the glass you can see some mild carbonation, but not even as much as a glass of soda. Upon swirling there is a slight cling to the sides of my glass and the scent is fresh and crisp. While I can smell grape there is also a bit of apple, citrus and floral.

The color is a pale golden yellow with several bubbles still rising from the bottom.

While the first sip is a little zingy on my tongue because of the carbonation I am definitely getting a big apple taste with this. It almost reminds me of apple cider that is just starting to get a little zip. Not at all unpleasant, but there is really no serious alcohol taste, but at only 8.5% ABV I really wouldn't expect any.

The after taste is just more of the same, zing and apple. But I am getting a little grape taste at the end. Really not at all unpleasant, this would be good to sip on a hot summer afternoon.

I wouldn't pair this with anything heavy or spicy. But roasted chicken or some broiled fish would be good. Also any light bar fair, even popcorn or peanuts, which I actually am pairing my glass with right now.

Of course here I am again with a wine with no birthday, I am sure a no name grape, but Canei Vino Bianco is tasty. And for $4.50 a bottle I won't feel bad about drinking more of a sparkling zippy cider.