As part of its ongoing Italian wine promotion and
studies activities, the Institute sponsored a Great Italian Wines
seminar-tasting led by wine producers themselves. The technical seminar
examined monovarietal and blended Italian wines and included a tasting of 12
premium wines from various Italian regions and showcased Italy’s indigenous
noble grapes.
The co-host of the seminar was Veronafiere-Vinitaly with
technical assistance from Civilta’del Bere magazine and
under the patronage of the Italian Ambassador to the
U.S., and sponsored by the Italian Minister for Agricultural Policies, the
Hon. Giovanni Alemanno.
For the pouring, wines were tasted in pairs, each
from the same main grape, but in monovarietal and blended vinifications and
the unique characteristics and differences discussed by each of the
producers.
In order of presentation, wine producer Michele
Chiarlo, of the Asti winery bearing his name, discussed his La Court
Barbera Asti Superiore Nizza DOC 2000, a 100% Barbera, while Domenico
Zonin of Castello del Poggio described his Bunéis Peidmont DOC 2001,
a blend of 90% Barbera and 10% Merlot.
Next, Pio Boffa of the Pio Cesare winery presented
the Ornato Barolo DOCG 1998, a 100% Nebbiolo which was followed by
Franco Conterno of Poderi Aldo Conterno who showcased his Quartetto
Langhe Rosso DOC 2000, a wine blended of 40% Nebbiolo, 10% Barbera, 25%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 25% Merlot.
From Paleremo, Carlo Casavecchia of Duca di
Salaparuta offered his Duca Enrico Igt Sicilia 1999, a 100% Nero
d’Avola. His wine was contrasted with analyzed by José Rallo of Donnafugata,
the Mille e Una Notte Contessa Entellina Doc 2000, a blend of 90%
Nero d’Avola and 10% of other grapes.
From Tuscany’s Marchese di’ Frescobaldi, Vittorio
Frescobaldi offered his Lamaione lgt Merlot di Toscana 1999, a 100%
Merlot. For comparison, Filippo Mazzei of Siena-based Castello di
Fonterutoli presented his Siepi Igt Toscana 1999, a blend of 50%
Sangiovese and 50% Merlot.
Moving to Montalcino, Franco and Jacopo Biondi
Santi of the Biondi Santi-Tenuta Greppo winery poured their Brunello di
Montalicino DOCG 1997, a 100% Sangiovese Grosso. To highlight a blend
from Montalcino, Cristina Mariani of Castello Banfi presented the
Summus Sant’Antimo DOC 1999, a blend of 40% Sangiovese, 40% Cabernet
Sauvignon and 20% Syrah.
Cabernet grapes were examined next. First, Piero
Incisa della Rocchetta of Tenuta San Guido in Bolgheri presented his
Sassicaia Bolgheri DOC 1999, a blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15%
Cabernet Franc. By comparison, Piero Antinori of Florence-based Marchesi
Antonori poured the Solaia Igt Toscana 1997, a blend of 75% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc and 20% Sangiovese.
Verona’s annual Vinitaly, part of the renowned
Veronafiere, is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious wine and
spirits expositions with upwards of 4,000 exhibitors from 29 countries and
attracting more than 130,000 wine professionals from 81
nations.