Lungarotti, the Heart of Umbria lives in a glass of Rubesco Vigna Monticchio

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I met Chiara Lungarotti during some interviews, when she was the national president of the Italian Wine Tourism Movement. She isn’t even that appointment but – actually – that role has sure got under her skin. The Lungarotti wineries (of which Chiara is the CEO) are a shining sample of how the hospitality of wine tourists and of all types of visitors should be managed. How do you do it? Proving availability, professionalism, passion, ability to tell their own story. 

Epokale aged in mine: that extreme and “deep” Gewürztraminer of Cantina Tramin

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Usually the name of a wine to make it clear immediately what the company’s intentions are towards that specific label, especially if you want to focus strongly on a product to enhance. Call a label “Epokale” with “k” reinforcing the concept, the intention become very clear. Cantina Tramin (Tramin Winey) at Termeno (Bolzano), has given a wine as “Epokale” because wants to be more than historical: even “epochal”. 

Viola – Moscato Passito di Saracena, from Calabria the straw wine born of Arab tradition

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I’m sure you don’t believe that Calabria (region of South Italy) is really rich in fine wines! Among these are excellent wines, born and handed down by ancient traditions. Such as the Moscato Passito di Saracena, produced with an unchanged method over time, since the Arab times.

Luigi Viola, now retired teacher, has introduced this wine, a intense nectar, to the whole world.

Rocca delle Macie Tenuta Sant’Alfonso, an Oscar-worthy performance

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From cinema to wine: what an exciting story! In my opinion, very briefly defines the saga of Rocca delle Macìe, the Chianti Classico winery belonging to the Roman family Zingarelli. It’s been more than 40 years (1973) since Italo Zingarelli bought Rocca delle Macìe at Castellina in Chianti, near Siena. He was producer of some important movies got famous in cinema history, such as “spaghetti western” genre performed by unforgettable Bud Spencer and Terence Hill. In  70s, Italo crowned his dream of creating a holding in the heart of Chianti Classico.

Quarta Generazione and Giovanna Paternoster’s Aglianico: new air in Vulture

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Today, I talk about a wine that was born in one of the smallest regions of southern Italy: Basilicata. Aglianico del Vulture it’s (that’s cousin of the homonymous wine and vine of Campania) and only here, in Vulture area, it has unique characteristics. Some geographical notes: the Basilicata region borders with Campania, Apulia and Calabria. The Aglianico vine originates in the territory at the slopes of a prehistoric volcano that has been extinguished for millennia, Mount Vulture, which reaches 1,326 meters above sea level.

Salvioni, three family generations keep Brunello in the name of traditions

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The Salvionis make wine for three generations in Montalcino. Grandfather Umberto Salvioni, an agricultural doctor, made wine for friends. But the “family affair” was consolidated and strengthened through the work of all components: Giulio Salvioni, son of founder Umberto, with his wife Mirella, and theirs sons: David, graduated on Agriculture, and Alessia, working on marketing, sales and administration. All together with a unique goal: produce a limited amount of excellent wines. 

Folle Conero La Calcinara, the cool Marche wine from “Red Brothers”

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That’s the liking company in the Marche region (Centre of Italy). No more schematic, ingested, formal, rigid presentations. La Calcinara is a smart, young and jaunty company, as a modern “start-up” (as it would be said today) that breathes through the image of its owners: Paolo and Eleonora Berluti brothers. They are a tangible example of the enthusiasm and liveliness with which the Conero area offers, for some time, so many excellent red wines that deserve to be known more and better.

Renato Ratti, the great innovator of Barolo and the explosive Rocche dell’Annunziata

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The Renato Ratti’s Barolo is a great family history between territory and tradition marked by a courageous and innovative choice. The company founder, Renato Ratti, is known as the “Great innovator of Barolo”. He studied Oenology in Alba (Cuneo), then emigrates to Brazil where he is put in charge of the sparkling wine production and Cinzano’s Vermouth.

Benanti Rovittello 2013, an elegant, deep and Oscar-worthy Etnean Red

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If you haven’t picked up on that by now, Sicily is my most beloved region: not just for oenological reasons, but above all because it’s where I was born, lived my youth and went through my school and university studies. You should know that every time I have a nice glass of Sicilian wine, I find it contains the perfumes, the colors, the flavors, the atmosphere, the very essence of my earth.

Poggio di Sotto, with sails explained to Brunello di Montalcino 2012

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The 2012 Brunello di Montalcino vintage has been rated five-stars (excellent quality) by the Consortium of Protection. The bottles of this vintage are currently on the market, and there is the embarrassment of choice: we are still drinking and appreciating the many, exciting chalices of the 2010 vintage – Brunello, is the best of the third millennium – that 2012 also reached levels of excellence thanks to wines that represent the perfect fusion of texture and balance to taste. Definately Brunello 2012, in general, can be described in two words: great quality.