Italian Wine News

"Vino Italiano"
Italian Wine Tasting at San Francisco's Dolce
Staff Writer – March 16, 2007

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On March 15, 2007, from 6:30 to 9PM it was Vino Italiano tasting at Dolce, the hip club at 440 Broadway, in San Francisco, in the heart of North Beach, the Italian part of town that is little by little being taken over by Chinatown.

WineCountry.IT's Marin County account manager, Jenny Snodgrass,
demonstrating the use of the centellino top-of-the-bottle decanter.

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The event was organized by Don Davis of Uncorked Events, who presented over 50 quality wines offered by eight importers / distributors, including Folio Fine Wine Partners, the company founded by Michael Mondavi with son Robert and daughter Dina; Palm Bay Imports Inc.; Winebow Inc.; and of course, our parent company, WineCountry.IT. AG Ferrari provided the munchies, consisting of a selection of Italian cold cuts and artisanal Italian cheeses.

Delicious Italian cold cuts and artisan cheeses offered by AG Ferrari

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The selection presented by WineCountry.IT included eight wines:

From Left: WineCountry.IT's Marin County account manager, Jenny Snodgrass,
WineCountry.IT president, Loris Scagliarini; wine teacher Ron Hagen

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Though our table was officially number eight, our wines were actually on the very first table, thus we were the first stop for the numerous paying guests once they got in and received their glasses. We were very glad to see people keep returning to our table with positive comments about them.

The organizer of the event, Don Davis (with white shirt), with happy guests

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In particular, the single vineyard Barbera d'Asti DOC Superiore "Cascina Perno" ("Perno Farmhouse") by Poderi Rosso Giovanni ($21.08), was judged by many as best wine of the show, even better than the far more costly Brunellos, Super Tuscansm and Amarone presented by other distributors.

WineCountry.IT president, Loris Scagliarini (right) pouring for a guest

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WineCountry.IT staff had great time talking to people and suggesting what to taste, sometime forcing their hand, proposing wines that they wouldn't have chosen on their own. Especially the Gavi DOCG Pilin 2000, the delicious, creamy-gold, 7-year-old white from Castellari Bergaglio, won many people over with its complexity, structure, and mature mouth filling flavor.

WineCountry.IT's Marin County account manager, Jenny Snodgrass,
demonstrating the use of the centellino top-of-the-bottle decanter.

Photographs Courtesy of OVAHERE.COM • Click here to see more photographs

Another surprise hit for many of the 30-something hip crowd was the sparkling red Lambrusco Grasparossa Doc Cru Terre dei Pio 2005. Our staff is convinced that this type of wine is perfect for California at least for eight months a year. Its low alcohol content (11.5% by Vol.), makes it a perfect wine for picnics and days at the beach with friends and family. Additionally, it pairs easily with a large assortment of snacks, sandwiches, and small plates.

Sniffing.. swirling.. tasting, these are the joys of wine.

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The centellino, the surprisingly effective top-of-the-bottle decanter, which oxygenates the wine while pouring it into its crystal conic-oval-shaped ball, is the latest wine accessory from Italy and has inspired a lot of interest among the guests.

the centellino top-of-the-bottle decanter

The centellino, presented in exclusive at the event by WineCountry.IT inspired
a lot of interest in the guests and will be soon in distribution in the US.
For information, please contact WineCountry.IT.

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The centellino is the result of long trial and research and, thanks to its shape and size, the hand-blown artifact "opens" red and aged white wines without the need to use a decanter. An extra plus is that guests can still see what they are pouring into their glasses, an experience lost when using a traditional decanter.

From left: Wine teacher Ron Hagen and Uncorked Ecents' Don Davis

From left: Wine teacher Ron Hagen and the event organizer, Uncorked Events' Don Davis.

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All in all, a very positive presentation of the exclusive wines and unque wine accessory presented by WineCountry.IT.

WineCountry.IT president, Loris Scagliarini, takes a break socializing with a guest.

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Vino Italiano complete wine list by importer / distributor:

Table 1 - Young’s Market
1. Inama Soave Classico 2005
2. Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Benefizium 2004
3. Solo Maremma Micante 2004
4. Vietti Barbera D'Asti Tre Vigne 2004
5. Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2004
6. La Valentina Montepulciano D'Abruzzo 2004
7. Casanova di Neri Ceretalto Brunello 2000
8. Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2001
9. Saracco Moscato D'Asti 2006
Table 2 - Wilson Daniels
1. Tuttobene Toscana Bianco 2005
2. Tuttobene Toscana Rosso 2005
3. San Leonino Chianti Classico 2004
4. Tre Rose Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2003
5. Val di Suga Rosso di Montalcino 2004
6. Val di Suga Brunello di Montalcino 2001
Table 3 - Folio Fine Wine Partners
1. Castiglioni Chianti 2005
2. Tenuta di Castiglioni Super Tuscan 2005
3. Nipozzano Chianti Rufina 2003
4. Campo ai Sassi Rosso di Montalcino 2004
5. Mormoreto Super Tuscan 2003
6. Luce della Vite ‘Lucente’ Super Tuscan 2004
Table 4 - Palm Bay Imports
1. San Patrignano Aulente Sangiovese 2004
2. San Patrignano Aulente Sangiovese 2005
3. San Patrignano Montepirolo 2003
4. San Patrignano Noi Colli Rosso 2003
5. Anselmi Capital Croce 2003
6. Feudi Di San Gregorio Falanghina 2005
7. Feudi Di San Gregorio Rubrato 2004
8. Feudi Di San Gregorio Serpico 2003
Table 5 - Winebow
1. Cantina Tramin Pinot Grigio 2005
2. San Quirico Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2005
3. Selvapiana Chianti Rufina 2003
4. Argiolas Costera IGT 2005
5. Allegrini Amarone 2001
Table 6 - Vineyard Brands
1. Il Caio Podere Grechetto 2005
2. La Doga Morellino di Scansano 2004
3. Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico 2004
4. Borgo Scopeto Chianti Classico Riserva 2003
5. Tenuta Caparzo Sangiovese 2004
6. Tenuta Caparzo Rosso di Montalcino 2005
7. Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 2001
Table 7 - Wine Warehouse
1. Villa Matilde Falanghina 2005
2. Bucci Verdicchio 2005
3. Paitin Barbera d'Alba Serra Boella 2005
4. Terrabianca Campaccio 2003
5. Querciabella Chianti Classico 2004
6. Gulfi Nero San Lorenzj 2002
7. Jermann Red Angel 2005
8. Felsina Fontalloro 2003
Table 8 - WineCountry.IT