I flew to New York City to attend a big event recently celebrating the winemakers of Italy and their wines. It’s called VINO and honors notable wine and vintners in Italy. From the launch of the first tasting event, the vibe was electric. Over 150 brands represented, seminars included wine experts covering topics from Rosé to Barolo and 600 media and trade individuals participated.
Italy owns 32% of the wine market share in the US making it the number one importer of wine here. Italy continues to produce many domestic wines including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Barbera and Nero d’Avola (to name a few), they have turned to some of the more commonly sipped grapes in the US for their wines as they expand their markets. They are also making incredible blends.
Being a Rosé lover, I was thrilled to participate in the A Passion for Pink: Italy’s Love Affair with Rosato. I am not a big drinker of Rosato’s purely because I don’t know much about them. What I do know is Rosé has a completely different position in the marketplace than it had two or three years ago. Today Rosé enjoys a far more serious place in the lives of many a wine drinker.
I was thrilled to see two experts in our midst, Jeff Porter, of Batali & Bastianich Hospitality Group and Eric Guido, of the Marketing Morrell Wine Group (historically one of the most famous wine retailers in the US). Guido says today he is seeing Rosé at the dinner table and paired throughout the seasons. People are looking for a Rosé they can find depth in today and taking those tastes far beyond thirst quenchers.
This presented an opportunity to venture into Rosato or Rosati from the Italian perspective. In the US we are usually exposed to 4-6 varietals used in the production of Rosé we drink. Italy has a completely different spin on it. In sharp contrast to their French counterparts, there are hundreds of varietals used in Italy to produces wine.
We tasted nine different wines from Cerasuolo di Abruzzo one of the most historic in the group, to Iripinia Rosato. Cerasuolo di Abruzzo from Cataldi Madonna transcends the run of the mill sipping rosés to a more robust and sophisticated rosé. Red fruit, lavender, and hints of herbs highlight the dark ruby pink wine. The area this wine grows is known as “the oven of Abruzzo” and is located 380 meters above sea level.
Next up was the panel for Barolo, Barbaresco and Their Crus led by Ian D’Agata, Scientific Director Vinitaly International Academy– Verona, Italy. Setting the stage for the seminar, D’Agata notes that Barolo & Barbaresco, hailing from cool climates which are more vintage dependent, were never single vineyard wines. Cru, in contrast, have been single vineyard since 1961 peaking in the 1980’s.
Wine cousins? Barolo and Barbaresco are just like Margaux and Burgundy, made in viticulture areas that have different townships. Barolos are known for higher tannins which could be part of the reason they are required to be in barrel the better part of three years. Barbaresco on the other hand, two years. Both regions reside in Northwestern Italy’s famous Piedmont (Piemonte) region.
Nebbiolo, the grapes used to make Barolo & Barbaresco is highly ageable. If you’re drinking an older vintage you may notice the color is lighter. That is because Nebbiolo’s oxidize faster than other grapes. It doesn’t affect the quality of the wine.
Out of the nine wines we tasted of Barolo and Barberesco I found the most delightful to be G.D. Vajra’s Barolo DOCG Cru Bricco delle Viole 2012. This wine is seductive, it beckons with cherry & black fruit. The anise is an underlying surprise and the light floral made me sigh. This is a Cru. The best of the best. 100% Nebbiolo, with bright ruby red hues. Perfection!
One of my highlights at VINO was talking to a Sicilian Vintner with roots dating back six generations. We talked about the wine he and his family make at Feudo Disisa. Located in the territory of Palermo, Feudo Disisa enjoys a close location to the coast and the Tyrrhenian Sea (about 15 km away). Their elevation varies from 400-500m (meters). The Di Lorenzo’s own 400 hectares. On their estate grows the longest standing Chardonnay grapes in the country.
Versatility, hard work and an eye on the future separates this family from others. Mario Di Lorenzo took time out with me at Spring Studios to talk about what makes his delicious wine different, the terroir and the climate of his winery. Listen in:
The best thing about wine period? It’s the opportunity for geographical exploration. You don’t have to leave your city to have a global palate. The wine that drew me to Marco Di Lorenzo was the Tornamira. It is Feudo Disisa’s most important international wine. A blend of Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot, the wine is well-balanced. This Tornamira has juicy red berry flavors, smooth seductive tannins, and a long luscious finish.
Wine in Italy has changed over the last 20 years. The number of varietals grown and blended has expanded. You will find a wine that offers not only value but, versatility and excellent taste. It’s the perfect way to jazz up your wine cellar.
Alice Tetienne of Champagne Henriot Organic is important, but not necessarily the best. It is but one part of the equation. We have to be
Barodlino has a rich history in both wine and culture. There is no better Rosé that takes the beauty of the region and expresses it than Chiaretto Rosé.
Could it be that this region, today known as the Fastest Growing Wine Region in the United States is the world’s next Napa Valley? This is Idaho Wine Country.
The 55 judges awarded silver, gold and grand gold medals to wines from 25 countries.
At the beginning of March, in the @paysdocigpwines region of Southern France, over 1,200 #rosé wines from across the globe competed for the highly coveted @concoursmondial de Bruxelles medals. The @vinolok_global international Revelation Trophy was awarded this year to a rosé wine from #Italy – Y by 11 Minutes Rosé – produced by @pasquawines in #Veneto. Well done!
The Winners of the International Wine competition on Rosé for 2023 are in:
The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is an international wine competition that takes place annually and is considered one of the most prestigious wine competitions in the world. The competition is held in a different location each year, and it attracts thousands of entries from winemakers around the world. The focus of the competition is on identifying wines of high quality that are representative of their region and grape variety.
In recent years, the competition has added a separate category for rosé wines, recognizing the growing popularity and diversity of this style of wine. The competition judges rosé wines on their color, aroma, taste, and overall balance, with the aim of identifying the best examples of the style from around the world.
Winning a medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles can have a significant impact on a winery`s reputation and sales, as it is widely recognized as a mark of quality and excellence. The competition also provides an opportunity for winemakers to receive feedback from a panel of international experts, helping them to refine their techniques and improve their wines.
Winners link is: https://resultats.concoursmondial.com/en/results/2023
Congrats to all the Rose producers who participated!
#WineCompetition #winetasting #rosé #winelover #trendingwine #whattodrink #concoursmondialdebruxelles #paysdoc #montpelier #france #Veneto #winemedals #thewinesiren #wineoclock #winerating #winejudge
When great viticulture is an obsession you chose wisely and well. @vitnerd for @lecole41 on sustainability, great viticulture and award winning passion for vines.
WATCH WITH LINK IN BIO: SADIE DRURY - VINEYARD MANAGER
Sadie Drury is a Walla Walla native who has been passionate about agriculture since her first job of picking strawberries at the age of 12. In 2007, Sadie decided to combine her passion for agriculture with her love for wine by attending the Center for Enology and Viticulture at Walla Walla Community College and pursuing a career in viticulture. In 2008, Sadie started an internship at Ciel du Cheval Vineyard where she moved up the ranks to Assistant Vineyard Manager. Sadie joined the North Slope Management team in early 2013 and took over the reins as GM later that year. She currently manages 6 vineyards including the famed Seven Hills Vineyard. Sadie is the current Chair for the Washington State Wine Commission. She is the 2019 Power’s Sabbatical Recipient, the 2020 Washington Winegrowers Erick Hanson Memorial Grower of the Year, and a 2021 Wine Enthusiast 40 Under 40 Tastemaker.
#WashingtonWine #WallaWalla #lecole #Viticulture #sustainable #Sustainability #Vine #winelover #DrinkSustainable #TheWineSiren #SevenHills #wineeducation
https://www.youtube.com/live/PiWKkhnre94
The Ritz, Paris.
A destination since 1898, the Ritz Paris is one of the most iconic hotels in Paris.
There is no better place to return with a couple of my most cherished friends and begin our dinner and catch up session with an exquisite bottle of Extra Brut
Champagne Barons de Rothschild. Made from Chardonnay 60%;Reserve wines, the majority of which
are kept in their perpetual reserve (solera) 40%,
Pinot Noir 40%,
Grands and
Premiers crus 85%
Dosage 1.5 g/L
Ageing 4 years minimum
Exquisite perlage enhanced by notes of minerality and salinity, the brioche like aromas reveal notes of pear and fig. Delightfully well balanced its arômatic finish satisfies. This beauty is cellar worthy and will reveal its riches for years to come.
The stunning facade has a place in history since 1705. Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the most famous architect of the Baroque period, drew the initial design for Louis XIV.
The luminaries who frequented the hotel were many, Marcel Proust, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. Many are the writers and artists inspired by the Ritz in their work as well. Hemingway for The Sun Also Rises and F. Scott Fitzgerald for Tender is the Night. In fact, the hotel’s “Bar Hemingway” was named for the author.
For 💋🍷💋#TheWineSiren a return to the Ritz is a return to the incredible history of Paris and a moment of great drinks and bites with dear friends. From the moment you cross the threshold the inviting aroma and views of luxurious surroundings envelope you.
Do you Ritz?
Photos
1. The Ritz Paris champagne. Pure deliciousness. Notes below.
2. The stage is set at your entrance. Visuals and aroma envelope your senses.
3. Cherished Parisian friends to share the experience with.
4. The stage is set at @barvendome
5. Fresh truffles with French fries
6. Probably the best steak tartare on the planet. Served mild, spicy or extra spicy . Texture and rich flavor abound.
7. Just one of the lovely cocktails served.
8. The vibe at Bar Vendome
9. The Hemingway Bar . Very few seats and always packed.
10. And the regroup at the end of the evening. This is where memories are made.
#Paris #ritzparis #TheWineSiren #champagnerothschild
From Carcassonne to Montpelier the beauty of @paysdocigpwines shines through. I`ll share more on my newest discoveries when I`m back in the US .
The bar @hotelricherdebelleval .... incredible. Have you been?!
#winetravel #winetraveler #thewinesiren #kellymitchell #wine #winelover #ginlover #barsofinstagram #beautifuldestinations #wheretofindme #france #montpellier #justdrinks #cocktailtime
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