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Southern Italian Delights: A Wine Journey with Leonardo LoCascio Tuesday, October 30, 2007 Speaker: Leonardo LoCasio President: Winebow Leonardo LoCascio, founder and CEO of Winebow, led us on a wine journey through the beautiful and rugged landscapes of Southern Italy. We enjoyed a broad spectrum of wine styles and flavors, from ancient varietals such as Falanghina, Cannonau, and Gaglioppo, to more international blends. Tasted wines from family-owned wineries that combine tradition and modern winemaking techniques to create superb Italian wines. As a native Sicilian and one of the first importers to introduce many of the lesser known southern appellations and varietals to the United States, no one is more qualified than Leonardo to lead you through this exciting adventure featuring 14 of his fabulous wines. Greco Di Tufo DOCG 2005 was the favorite white. Regaleali Bianco IGT 2006 placed second white. Rosso Del Conte Contea di Sclafani DOC 2004 was the favorite red and Montrevetrano IGT 2003 and Turriga IGT Isola Dei Nuraghi 2002 tied for second favorite red. Botromagno Votes Full Retail Price $ Gravina Bianco DOC 2006 Grapes: 60% Greco and 40 % Malvasia, two native varietals of the area. Straw color, The bouquet is both floral and fruity with an underlying hint of almond. Dry and firm on the palate, light bodied and elegant the wine has a nice finish. 13 $11.00 Arminea Falanghina Sannio DOC 2005 Grape Variety: 100% Falanghina from estate vineyards with clay-calcareous soils. Pale gold. Intense aromas of green apple and pineapple. Dry, well balanced, and smooth with a pleasant finish. 10 $17.00 Greco Di Tufo DOCG 2005 Grape Variety: 100% Grecco di Tufo. A noble indigenous varietal grown in the province of Avellino. The vineyards are located 1,485 ft.above sea level and benefit from a north eastern exposure. The soil contains rich streaks of sulfur. The grapes are fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. Light golden in color and intensely aromatic, with notes of almonds. A full bodied wine. It is excellent as an aperitif or served chilled with seafood and shellfish. The favorite white. 24 $22.00 Librandi Ciro Rosso Classico, 2005 DOCG Grape Variety: 100% Gaglioppo from Ciro Marina. Vinified in stainless steel and remains in tank for a year. Spicy, dried fruit in bouquet and palate. 5 $10.00 Gravello IGT Val di Neto 2004 This is a “Super Calabrian” wine. Grape variety: Blend of 60% Gaglioppo and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon aged for a total of three years in which one year is in Allier barriques. The wine has an intense, jammy and persistent perfume of cherry with subtle hints of coffee and cassis. This is a noble, rich, velvety wine with soft tannins that should be enjoyed with rich dishes such as roasted red meat and game, medium-aged and sharp cheese, pasta with meat sauce, beef stew and broiled veal. It is a lovely rustic wine. 11 $32.00 Taurino Salice Salentino Rosso Riserva DOC 2003 A blend of 85% Negroamaro and 15% Malvasia Nera from the Salento area. Five day maceration with the skins ensures fruitiness and ideal color extractions. The wine is aged for two years with 20% of it being refined in French barriques to add extra elegance and it is filtered before bottling. Intense ruby red in color, its unique flavor profile offers red berries, herbs and black cherries. On the palate, it is dry, well balanced and full bodied with a slight bitterness on the finish. 11 $12.00 Di Majo Norante Remitello IGT Terre Degli Osci 2003 80% Prognolo(Sangiovese), & 20% Aglianico. Fermentation in stainless steel tanks and aged in large oak barrels for two year to three years. Opaque in color and earthy nose with plums licorice, and leather. On the palate it exhibits lush fruit velvety, structure and big tannins on the finish. 17 $14.00 Montrevano Montrevetrano IGT 2003 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Nerkit and 10% Aglianico grown in estate vineyards at Montevetrano. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and ages in new barriques of Allier, Nevers and Troncais for 12 months. The wine is unfiltered. Deep ruby red color. Aromas of red fruit, tobacco and leather. On the palate the wine is dry and full bodied with firm tannins. Rich structure and elegant. Tied for second favorite of the reds. 20 $75.00 Tasca d’Almerita Regaleali Bianco IGT 2006 Regaleali Bianco is the first wine produced by Count Tasca d’Almerita on the Regaleali Estate. A blend of three Sicilian grapes-- Inzolia, Cataratto and Grecanico-- this is a versatile, refreshing, and delicious white. Cold fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks at 63° F for 15 days. The wine is then refined for three months in stainless steel tanks, and in the bottle for one month before release. Straw yellow in color with a delicate and persistent bouquet of green apples, peach, pear and citrus, Regaleali Bianco is dry and crisp with excellent structure and a superb fruity finish. Clean and refreshing, Regaleali is great for antipasti, Asian cuisine, fish, shellfish, octopus salad, and vegetables. Placed second of the whites. 18 $11.00 Lamuri Nero Davola IGT Sicilian 2004 100% Nero d’Avola. From 10-15 year old vines grown in sandy soils. Aged in 20% new and 80% second and third passage French barriques for 12 months for extra finesse, Lamúri is also refined in bottle for three months before release. Intense ruby red in color, Lamúri offers a lush bouquet of blackberry, mulberry, cherry and sour cherry jam, spices, laurel, cinnamon, vanilla, coffee, licorice and chocolate. On the palate, this wine is incredibly rich, intense and supple, with velvety tannins framing a refreshing acidity and a medium body. Recommended with Mediterranean fare, such as pasta, tagines, roasted lamb, kebabs, and ribs. 13 $19.00 Rosso Del Conte Contea di Sclafani DOC 2004 Today this wine is blended predominantly of 30 year old-vine Nero d’Avola and a selection of the best red varieties at Regaleali. After fermentation the wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months. Deep ruby red and concentrated, Rosso del Conte offers rich aromas of cherry, walnut, wild berries, vanilla, cinnamon, mint, sage and tobacco. Full-bodied, with polished tannins and a lingering, supple finish of wild berries and spice, this is a wine of great elegance and personality. Rosso del Conte is considered the father of modern Sicilian high-end reds. The favorite red of the tasting. 23 $50.00 Argiolas Argiolas Costamolino Vermentino di Sardegna DOC 2006 Grape Varieties: 100% Vermentino. Straw yellow color and an intense but delicate bouquet that has hints of floral, rosemary, and sage. A complex wine, refreshing on the palate. Recommended with antipasti, pasta and fish courses. 17 $13.00 Costera IGT 2005 Grape Varieties: 90% Cannonau, 5% Carignano and 5% Bovale Sardo grown in the Costera vineyard. The wine is aged in French barriques for 6 -8 months prior to bottling. Intense ruby red color. Sweet black cherry fruit with pepper, spice, licorice and herbs. Full bodied on the palate and pleasant tannins. 13 $15.00 Turriga IGT Isola Dei Nuraghi 2002 Grape Varieties: 85% Cannonau and 15% Malvasia Nera. Opaque color. Macerated for 16-18 days in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, is aged in barriques for 18-24 months creating the austere yet elegant and rich body. It exhibits concentrated ripe red fruit, oak, tobacco, spices, cigar box aromas. Medium cherries and berry fruit with chewy, big tannins on the palate with a long finish. Tied for second favorite of the reds. 20 $68.00 Top