Barchetta Italian for "little boat". It is also a nickname for a roadster (car). 

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About this wine:

This is a dry, red Pinot Noir wine picked early - with low sugar (and hence low alcohol)

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In early September 2020, Mike Appolo drove his truck to Long Island, to the vineyard where this Pinot Noir was harvested, the morning it was harvested. He hauled the nearly 2 tons of Pinot Noir grapes back with a trailer across Long Island Sound (via Ferry). That makes these the only grapes so far that Mike has brought back on a boat.

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The name is inspired by the song Red Barchetta by the Canadian band Rush...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Barchetta

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You can find the lyrics here:

https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/108819/

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This is the best driving song ever recorded. The best way to describe what this song means to Mike is this description (by someone else) from a lyrics page for Rush's Red Barchetta.

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A common theme in much of Peart's lyrics (2112, The Trees, and this gem) is a warning of what we stand to lose when we give government the power to decide & enforce the "Common Good".

This song melds perfectly with Peart's love of motion and machines, another common theme in his lyrics and life.

Set in a future where combustion engines have been banned by the "Motor Law", the Orwellian "Eyes" must be escaped to commit the weekly crime; speeding about in a great old sports car from a better, vanished time.

The song is derivative of Rand & Orwell, but I certainly mean no disrespect to Peart, as this is - in my humble- esteem - the greatest Driving Song ever recorded. I always keep it available in the CD player for when I encounter that perfect stretch of hilly, winding country road. Working the 5-speed stick with this song cranked up is nothing short of pure joy.

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How much are we to giving up our freedoms for "The Common Good?"

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How close are we to having cars with gas engines outlawed?

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While Mike is very much in favor in electric vehicles, fuel powered cars will still be necessary for a long time. The feel of connection to the road and your environment in a two-seater, manual drive convertible cannot be matched by anything with electric engines. That is until someone proves him wrong. Even then, make a better product and people will switch. 

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Barchetta has won the following distinctions:

89 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine 2021

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