Spinning Beauty 2019
In the 15th century, Franciscan monks began bottling the juices of a tiny, indigenous grape from the Umbrian village of Montefalco. Called Sagrantino, the small berry packed with antioxidants proved to be as delicious as it was healthful; thus, the clerics, drinkers as they were, used it for their liturgical wine. Several centuries later, Marco Caprai has spun the rare Sagrantino into a couture wine label called Spinning Beauty ($300-$350; arnaldocaprai.it). Just 1,000 bottles are produced each year, with hand-selected grapes from the best parcel of the vineyard. It’s fermented in barrel and then aged in French barriques for 10 years, mellowing out the tannins. Rich and deep garnet in hue from long contact with the skins, the latest release, the 2009, will be available in September…
