January 16, 2013
Bill Ward on Vincenzo Ippolito, Ippolito 1845
Bill Ward has so much to say about wine - and it's always worth hearing. A while back he profiled Ippolito 1845 on his blog and we loved it. Here's a snip:
Vincenzo Ippolito is Italian to the core, an ardent young man and an open book. But his blend of the soulfulness and passion that typifies his countrymen is muted. He’s more genial than garrulous.
The Ippolito 1845 winery is in the toe of Italy’s boot, in the little-known (especially to wine people) region of Calabria. The fifth generation of his family to grow grapes and the third to make wine, Ippolito is quietly determined to help his home turf get past that little-known part, especially with the red galioppo grape.
“Our philosophy was always to bet on indigenous varieties,” said Ippolito (shown at left with journalist Giulia Cannada Bartoli). “They’re not like any other wines in the world. My dream is for galioppo to become as known as nero d’Avola, primitivo or even aglianico.”
He realizes that it’s an uphill battle, but points out that the ever-more-popular nero d’Avola grape originally was called Calabrese, and still is in his region. The Ippolitos blend some into their Rosso.
“The people in Sicily are smarter than us,” he said with a smile. “They decided to call it nero d’Avola after the town [of Avola]. The name Calabrese reminds people of Calabria.”
There’s also the matter of geography. Calabria has the same hot, arid climate as its island neighbor, but is much smaller, and a large portion of the land is not suitable for vineyards.
Read Bill's blog here. We recommend bookmarking it. You'll be glad you did.
September 16, 2012
Nardello finally arrives!
It took a long time to convince this tiny producer in the Classico zone of Soave to sell us their wines. Don't get me wrong - our credentials are impeccable. But one doesn't sell one's wine to just anyone, and one must go through the process. Well, the wines are here...and they are very wonderful - just like the many times I've tasted them in Italy. And they are a remarkable value. Wines this true to their terroir and type, this compelling, are a rare and fortunate find.
There's a Buzz about Buzet...
Another new arrival - or indeed, yet to arrive, expected around the end of September - are the wines from Les Vignerons de Buzet. Buzet is a small appellation, about 2000 hectares all told, and this unique societé of winegrowers has banded together around the idea that their wines should not go into a generic blend as happens with so many cooperatives. Instead, each Domaine or Chateau has an opportunity to craft what is in effect an estate bottling. Farming is sustainable and moving to organic, and the wines are a wonderful and value-driven perspective on Cabernet and Merlot, with some use of Cabernet Franc and Malbec.
July 5, 2012
Gulfi gets a rave review!
We're always so pleased when one of the wines we love and carry in our portfolio gets the recognition it deserves. Bill Ward at the StarTribune recently gave the Gulfi Cerasuolo di Vittoria 2010 some much-deserved praise.
GULFI CERASUOLO DI VITTORIA 2010
The experience: This fresh and vibrant red from Sicily is approachable but with plenty of underlying heft. The bright, jammy red fruit probably comes from the frappato grape and the richness from the nero d'Avola in this blend.
The setting: Like most medium-bodied reds, this wine should be served at cellar temperature, around 60 degrees. Enjoy it on its own or with hearty pasta dishes or grilled chicken.
The back story: The grapes are farmed organically in the town of Pachino, one of the hottest locales in Europe -- it's due east of Tunisia's capital city, Tunis.
The tab: $25, available at South Lyndale, Solo Vino, Capital Grille, Tilia, Piccolo, I Nonni and Broder's Pasta Bar.
BILL WARD
The whole article is terrific. Read it here: It's OK, put all your wine-related worries on ice
June 16, 2012
Germany arrives this summer. We are fantastically excited to have the opportunity to begin working with three famous estates in the Mosel and the Rheingau: Peter Nicolay (visit Peter Nicolay website), and Fritz Allendorf (visit Allendorf website), and Geschwister Simon (visit Geschwister Simon website). Each one of these estates has roots that go back hundreds of years, and each produces wines of fantastic integrity and character. We expect the wines in our warehouse sometime in early to mid August.
Hello Mr Piedmont! Our good friend Weston Hoard has returned to the US after living four years in Piedmont. He came home with a profound understanding of this beautiful, amazing terroir, and with many important connections. His new company - The Piedmont Guy (www.thepiedmontguy.com) provides an agency for an assortment of well-selected producers and we are very proud to have an alliance with him. Arriving before the end of June, wines from Ca' del Baio (Barbaresco), Oddero (Barolo), and Podere Ruggere Corsini (Barolo). Can't Hardly Wait.
Valforte returns...! We were the first US importer for this top-quality estate in Abruzzo. We worked hard and had much success. They left us for a short time...and now they are back. And we are excited. The new whites are fresh, crisp, and stunningly delicious. Colle Sale is, as always, profound, texturally incredible. The regular Montepulciano, a joy. The wines arrive in the warehouse the week of June 18. www.baronedivalforte.it
