This one time…at Domaine LA…I geeked out. You would have thought the Beebs made an appearance. Or Miley Cyrus. Oh wait- she did, sort of. But I digress. Last week, 8 winemakers that I think are absolutely awesome were pouring their wines in the store for the Farm Wine Imports and Louis/Dressner consumer tasting we were hosting. 7 Italians and one lone Frenchman (well, New Zealander actually) were all around me every which way I turned! Wine hero overload!
Just some of the lineup of wines tasted.
Elisabetta Foradori peaking through between two happy tasters. She’s like the Angelina Jolie of vino. Every hetero man I know in the business, drools when she walks into a room. When I grow up, I basically want to be Elisabetta. And she gives me courage to rock the salt and pepper!
Elisabetta and Luca Roagna. I’ve tasted the Roagna wines many times and have heard loads of good things about Luca and his crazy ways from my best friend Christina. They are pals who met through an Italian in London. The wine world is a small, small world.
The one and only Tom Lubbe of Domaine Matassa. Speaking of Christina and small worlds- we met Tom back in November when we were galavanting around France. Never met anyone like him. If you ever want to know his thoughts on natural winemaking he’ll talk to you for hours like you’re the only person in the room.
Silvio Messana of Montesecondo. Just to his left and off the frame unfortunately is Silvio’s Tuscan neighbor Francesca Padovani of Fontarenza. Showing us all that sangiovese is a noble grape worth standing alone. Alternately, Silvio’s cabernet sauvignon/petit verdot was surprisingly great.
Alessandra Bera pouring her white Arcese and dolcetto for some lucky dudes. Further down the bar are Nadia Verrua of Cascina ‘Tavijn and Mauro Vergano. Mauro is a former chemist that now makes some seriously delicious chinatos (chinato is a style of digestif or bitters where wine is infused with sugar, spices and quina bark). Once you try his Americano (made from Nadia’s grignolino grapes) and Luli (made from Alessandra’s moscato grapes) you will wonder why in the hell you haven’t been drinking his chinato since, well, birth.
Two of our most loyal customers, Maretta and Sharon.They brought me a bottle of some beer they brewed at home to try! They had read about my current obsession. I haven’t tried it yet, but will report back as soon as I do.
And last but not least…
None other than Do Bianchi himself walked through our doors. Great to have you Jar!
The next day, all of these guys plus 20 more amazing growers were pouring their wines at the official trade event at Tasting Kitchen in Venice. Too much for my little wine-soaked heart to handle in just 2 days time.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
i’m so bummed i missed this. and a chance to meet Jeremy as well? for shame.
I so wish I had your life. Want to trade for my three kids, full-time gov’t job and part-time grad school? Please???
how did u like the Roagna wines? i just realized i have never tasted any sort of Chinato…
need to get on that.. cheers brunella
Roagna was great as usual. the Barbaresco Paje was a standout. really delicious!
Wow that’s a big picture!
Do enjoy your blog. Concise and clear, without attitude. Good food, good wine, good friends. What else is could you ask for. As for the tasting event… amazing. What a privilege to have these winemakers pouring and talking about their own wines! Really didn’t hit me until the day after what a big deal this was. You nailed it with Tom- joy to talk to. Luli- I want to find every bottle left! Can’t wait to open the Paje and linger over it… As for the beer… now there’s a pale waiting for you to test
thanks sharon!! can’t wait for the pale! drank some Luli last night with a coconut lemon dessert and it was HEAVENLY.
PS- that beer you guys made was great! had a root beer vibe going on in terms of flavor and spice. awesome as a late night sip! can’t wait to try the next one.
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