Good to have Lamoresca in Australia via @mondoimports

My trip to Sicily with my family in July was special. Special to be able to spend over a week on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Everything about our visit was great and I am itching to return to Sicily in the near future.

Whilst I have love Sicilian reds, especially those around Etna (we have imported Passopisciaro for the last few years) it was a dinner in Siracusa that left me in awe of just how good Nero and Frappato are together.

I have drunk lots of wines like Cos Cerasuolo Di Vittoria in Australia, it was a meal at Ristorante Porta Marina in Siracusa that showed how great this wine can be when matched with the right foods. Over the course of our stay, we drank likes of Cos and also Lamoresca which is now available in Australia via our company Mondo Imports.

Since it’s arrival last week, I have tried the 2011 Rosso, 2012 Bianco (both now sold out) and 2012 Rosso. These wines are not only delicious, but highly complex and I can’t wait to see how they develop with 4-5 years in the cellar.

A wine that will live for 100 years?

This week has been crazy. Great but crazy with the Grandi Marchi in town for the first time in history.
During this time we held tastings and master classes in both Sydney and Melbourne showing the wines of Biondi Santi (and the other great families of Italian wine) who we represent in Australia via Mondo Imports.

Whilst all the wines looked fantastic (think 09 Rosso and 07 Brunello), it was the 97 Riserva when really blew myself (and those in the room away). I was lucky enough to try this wine in both master classes and also enjoy a bottle during dinner in Sydney.

When I asked Tancredi (grandson of Franco) about this wine, he told me that the family think it will have no trouble to still be alive after 100 years.

Pretty amazing and judging on its colour and complexity, who am I to argue?

A ‘smokin bottle of 01 Soldera

Last night was our ‘Christmas in November’ dinner for my wine group which I have been part of for the last ten years . We had some fantastic bottles, with one of the many highlights being the 2001 Soldera Brunello do Montalcino Riserva.

This bottle was close to the best bottle of Soldera I have had and again showed why many consider him to be the best producer in Montalcino. Politics aside, the man knows how to make great wine.

Everyone likes good cheese…especially when it is aged Reggiano

Our first container of aged hard Italian cheeses has been a big hit. The next container should be loaded by the end of the month and hopefully with us around Christmas time.

Look out Australia the GRANDI MARCHI – ISTITUTO DEL VINO ITALIANO DI QUALITÀ is in town….

http://www.istitutograndimarchi.it/

The “Institute of Fine Italian Wines – Premium Brands” is the result of the determination and enthusiasm of nineteen of the most important Italian wineries to promote the culture and commercialisation of Italian high quality wine on world markets. It unites families and brands which characterise the Italian wine-making tradition – each one extremely innovative yet highly representative of the production of their region. Each winery is defined by the high standards of its products and brand image at national and international levels. They are families and brands which encapsulate the identity of Italian wine which is synonymous with quality and style throughout the world.

 

The following wineries are members of the Institute:

Alois Lageder, Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute, Antinori, Argiolas, Biondi Santi Tenuta Greppo, Ca’ del Bosco, Carpenè Malvolti, Donnafugata, Gaja, Jermann, Lungarotti, Masi, Mastroberardino, Michele Chiarlo, Pio Cesare, Rivera, Tasca d’Almerita, Tenuta San Guido, Umani Ronchi.

From the 18th of November in Sydney, and the 20th of November in Melbourne, the representatives of the member wineries will hosting events for the trade and journalists during the day and consumer dinners at night.

For those in the trade, there are some fantastic tastings and masterclasses lined up and well worth attending. I will be there alongside Tancredi Biondi-Santi (grandson of Franco) showing the wines of Biondi Santi who represent in Australia.

It should be a great few days with many great wineries and many fantastic current and back vintage wines poured throughout the event.

Click here if you want to read more about their visit to Australia.

Just had a job offer from Napoli…..