CAMMINARE LONTANO DALLA TECNOLOGIA E CONCENTRARSI SUL VINO: I SHOULD TAKE A MOMENT AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA AND SPEND TIME ACTUALLY INTERACTING WITH HUMANS, SHOULDN’T I?

Wendy Rock and Kymber Tymber from Heidelberg brought with them the rep for Specialty Wines, a little boutique importer of Italian wines. I was in social media octopus mode, which afterward, I started becoming a bit self-conscious, thinking this guy has to think I am a colossal tool. Sometimes I get lost in what I am doing, and even a lineup of wines from my favorite wine region can’t remove me from that groove. Even so, I found myself liking a lot of these wines a lot, despite some rather boring packages. That whole never-judge-a-book-by-its-cover adage, it definitely applies here:

Marchese Montefusco Grillo Sicilia 2010. Grade=Outstanding. Really nice white wine, crisp, clean and refreshing.

Tropie Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG 2009. Grade=Outstanding. Another impressive white wine, crisp with lime, blanched almonds, peaches and mineral.

Pedres Vermentino di Gallura DOCG 2008. Grade=Outstanding. This has a lot of spicy character for a white wine, showing off hints of chayote, pear, mineral and white pepper.

Marchese Montefusco Nero d’Avola 2009. Grade=Outstanding. A softer, suppler style, more in league with a Pinot Noir than a Nero, some cherry fruit and brown spice character.

Odoardi Savuto Calabria 2005. Grade=Outstanding. This unique red blend of Gaglioppo, Greco Nero, Sangiovese, Magliocco Canino and Nerello Capuccino is warm and inviting, with hints of dark plum, raspberry, cinnamon, nutmeg, black truffle, cellar dust and hickory smoke. Very cool wine.

Roverone Valpolicella Ripasso 2005. Grade=Outstanding. Easy-drinking red blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Sangiovese. Soft yet dry tannins, black cherry and spice notes, and a nice backbone of acidity.

Tiezzi Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2004. Grade=Outstanding. Ready-to-drink Brunello with dark fruits, olive tapenade, herbs, cocoa, mineral, cedar and earth notes.

Giorgio Meletti Cavallari Borgeri DOC 2006. Grade=Outstanding+. Cab, Merlot and Syrah. Beautiful red blend from Tuscany. Meaty black fruits, touches of earthiness, minerality, brown spices, toasted oak and violet aromas.