Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated.

Tedeschi Winery

When it comes to wine, Italy is where my heart lies. Perhaps it’s because that’s where I first cut my teeth with fine wine. Maybe it’s because the food is so delicious and marries perfectly with the wine. Or maybe because traveling through the country is magical.

We are usually in Italy eight to ten times per year. From the north to the south, we can’t get enough Italian food and wine. Aside from the big names, the biggest hole in our Italian wine education is Veneto.

Veneto produces the most wine annually by volume. It’s also home to some of Italy’s most exported wines including Soave, Valpolicella, and Amarone Della Valpolicella. One of the estates that produce all three wines is Tedeschi.

Tedeschi is credited with producing one of the first single-vineyard wines from Valpolicella – the Tedeschi, ‘Monte Olmi’ Amarone Della Valpolicella. “In the past, our family’s focus was Recioto (sweet wine). But my father recognized the quality of the grapes from this 2.5-hectare parcel, so we made the first bottle of Monte Olmi in 1964,” owner Maria Sabrina Tedeschi says.

During a recent portfolio tasting, we got the chance to see what makes this Amarone so famous. While the ‘Monte Olmi’ lives up to its billing, we were impressed by the more affordable wines in Tedeschi’s lineup.

• Tedeschi, ‘San Rocco’ Valpolicella Ripasso 2017

Mostly Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella aged in Slavonian oak. Like all Ripassos, it’s made with the skins of grapes that were used for Amarone. Notes of pine forest, pepper, blackberry, and black cherry emerge from the glass. The nose is more savory but on the palate, the dark fruit flavors emerge. Silky mid-palate with a subtle note of tobacco on the finish. This bottle offers a lot of wine for the price (<20 USD) and is sure to please many palates. Score: 88/100

• Tedeschi, ‘Maternigo’ Valpolicella Superiore 2016

Single vineyard blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Corvinone. Notes of tobacco, black licorice, black cherry pie, and white pepper. Full-bodied with very ripe fruit. There are several layers of flavor here. Fine-grained tannins and a pleasurable, fruity finish. This has the concentration to improve with several years in the cellar.

The Tedeschi, ‘Maternigo’ Valpolicella Superiore offers exceptional value for money. This is something to buy by the case. It’s a wine that can cellar well but offers plenty of immediate pleasure on a random Wednesday night. Score: 91/100

• Tedeschi, ‘Monte Olmi’ Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2013

Bottled since 1964, this is quite an elegant Amarone with notes of dark plum, dried cherry, coffee, pine, and a touch of leather. This has a serious, fine nose. Full-bodied and rich, there’s a generous amount fruit here with many layers of flavors. The alcohol is high but it’s not distracting. With firm tannins and a long finish, this Amarone is something to behold. Score: 94/100 

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

You might also enjoy:

Wines of Italy Livestream: Interview with Sabrina Tedeschi

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Thanks to Tedeschi for providing samples. Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Tedeschi ‘Monte Olmi’ Amarone Della Valpolicella & ‘Maternigo’ Valpolicella Superiore appeared first on Wine Travel.

When you walk into a local wine shop, do you ever wonder how the bottles were selected? In 2018, the OIV (International Organization of Vine and Wine) reported that 293 million hectoliters of wine were produced – that’s equivalent to nearly 40 billion bottles of wine! Out of all that wine, how do wines get selected for the store shelf?

It’s by the work of importers, distributors, and shop owners who travel around the world. They swish around countless numbers of wines in their mouth before settling on just one to import and/or sell. I don’t know the official statistics, but probably only a handful of wines out of every hundred tasted are selected by merchants.

Business to Business Tasting Pollenzo

We got another chance to see this process firsthand at the Pollenzo Business to Business (B2B) Tasting in Piemonte, Italy. Over the three days we were in attendance, there were 50 wineries pouring over 200 wines. We were joined by buyers from Europe, Russia, USA, and Hong Kong.

Our days were packed with face to face meetings with producers. Each producer had their own table. The meeting/tasting appointment lasted thirty minutes, from there we had to move onto the next table. It was an intense three days of tasting on a tight schedule.

Events like the Pollenzo B2B give us real insight into the retail side of the wine business. Most of the buyers present selected just a handful of wines as possible ‘candidates’ for their respective markets. That means they need to crunch the numbers even further, taste the wine again at home, and test their markets more before the wine ever sees the shelf.

Know Your Wine Merchant

It’s worth getting to know your local wine merchant.

Tasting with merchants/buyers is a totally different experience than tasting with writers. Wine writers look for the quality of the wine and what they prefer. Wine buyers and merchants look for what will sell in their given market, regardless of their own preferences.

Next time you stop by your wine shop to pick up a bottle, think about the meticulous selection process. There’s a lot of work allows that bottle to be in front of your face. If you like the wine, try to find out who chose the wine, he/she probably have selected a number of wines to your liking.

We really enjoyed our time at Pollenzo and welcome the chance to attend more business to business tastings. Events like the Pollenzo B2B are a good look into the reality of selling wine. Here are thirteen wines from the Pollenzo B2B that we enjoyed.

Wine Recommendations:

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

• Paolo Berta, ‘La Berta’ Nizza 2016 – Piemonte, Italy

This charming little estate produces wines with real character and a hint of rusticity. The Paolo Berta ‘La Berta’ Nizza is made from 100% Barbera, it has notes of hazelnut, cherry, cranberry, and mineral notes. Tangy acidity with layers of texture on the palate, good bite, and a long finish. This has the classic Barbera flavors. Score: 91/100

• La Gironda, ‘Soul’ Monferrato Rosso 2014 – Piemonte, Italy

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Monferrato isn’t as well known for Nebbiolo as Langhe (and to a lesser extent Alto Piemonte). That makes the La Gironda ‘Soul’ Monferrato Rosso all the more interesting. It’s made from 100% Nebbiolo. Proper Nebbiolo in color with an orange tinge on the rim of the glass. Rose petal, cranberry, and a touch of perfume dominate the flavor profile. The wine is round and energetic. This has nervy acidity with firm but not over-the-top tannins. Score: 90/100

• Villa Giada, ‘The English Winemaker’ Piemonte Barbera 2018 – Piemonte, Italy

The Villa Giada ‘The English Winemaker’ Piemonte Barbera is a totally different wine than others in the Villa Giada portfolio. Villa Giada usually makes big and bold reds from Barbera. This wine is made with 25% whole cluster fermentation and indigenous yeasts. No additional sulfur is added. There are notes of stems, ripe red fruit, and pepper. This is a hardcore natural wine with gorgeous fruit. Score: 90/100

• Vinchio-Vaglio Serra, ‘Vigne Vecchie 50’ Barbera d’Asti 2016 – Piemonte, Italy

This is a brilliant, complex red from a cooperative winery. The Vinchio-Vaglio Serra ‘ Vigne Vecchie 50’ Barbera d’Asti is made from old vines and is aged in concrete. Dried strawberry, cherry, cranberry, and tobacco flavors emerge from the glass. It has a round mouthfeel with crunchy acidity. Smooth fruity-chocolate finish and grippy tannins. Score: 90/100 

• Grasso Fratelli, ‘Söri’ Valgrande’ Barbaresco 2005 – Piemonte, Italy

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The latest vintage of this wine is very good (2015) but the older vintage is stellar. The Grasso Fratelli ‘Söri’ Valgrande’ Barbaresco 2005 opens with an intriguing and sexy nose. There are notes of leather, tomato, tobacco, tar, and cherry flavors. Slim and sexy on the palate with tannins that hit like a NFL linebacker. This is what aged Nebbiolo is all about – complexity with sensuality. Score: 93/100

• Massimo Rettalino, ‘Novantuno 91’ Barolo 2014 – Piemonte, Italy

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Massimo Rettalino is fairly young estate producing Barolo and Barbaresco. The Massimo Rettalino ‘Novantuno 91’ Barolo is made with fruit sourced from the commune of Serralunga d’Alba. It has complex flavors of cranberry, leather, perfume, mahogany, and spice. The wine has round mouthfeel and tangy acidity. For a Barolo from Serralunga d’Alba, the tannins are surprisingly accessible for a young wine. Score: 92/100 

• Valde Lacierva, Rioja Reserva 2014 – Rioja, Spain

The Valde Lacierva Rioja Reserva is a fantastic wine and good representation of Rioja. It has notes of sweet cherry, pepper, cedar, and tobacco. The wine is big bodied with a lot of complexity and just the right amount of wood flavor. It’s spicy and true Rioja with chewy tannins. Score: 91/100

• Ignacio Marin, Ballard Old Vine Garnacha 2015 – Cariñena, Spain

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Cariñena DO is one of Spain’s oldest, yet unheralded wine regions. The Ignacio Marin Ballard Old Vine Garnacha is an affordable and delicious rendition of Garnacha. It is made from vines over 55 years in age. It has notes of dried strawberry, chocolate, brown herbs, and pepper. Balanced and unfussy red that is fantastic for the money. Score: 90+/100

• I Sabbioni, ‘I Voli Dei Gruccioni’ Sangiovese Superiore 2016 – Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The wines of Emilia-Romagna get overlooked in the world of Italian wine. We’ve long been fans of the Sangiovese from the region like the I Sabbioni ‘I Voli Dei Gruccioni’ Sangiovese Superiore. It is a delicious, juicy red wine. Crunchy acidity and soft tannins create the structure of this entry-level Sangiovese. Aged in stainless steel and concrete, this is inexpensive and delicious. Score: 88/100

• Demarie, Roero Riserva 2015 – Piemonte, Italy

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

Barolo and Barbaresco are iconic Nebbiolo-based wines but across the Tanaro river, there are some lovely examples in Roero. The Demarie Roero Riserva has notes of cherry, cranberry, hazelnuts, and rose petal. The wine spent 18 months in barrique. It’s medium-bodied and silky at first and then the tannins hit hard. The long finish and chewy tannins suggest that this is cellar-worthy. Score: 90/100

• Livia Fontana, Barolo Villero 2015 – Piemonte, Italy

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Villero vineyard is a well-renowned site located in the commune of Castiglione Falleto. There are many beautiful Barolos made from this vineyard, add the Livia Fontana Barolo Villero to the list. It has a pretty nose of violet, perfume, cranberry, and rose petal. Round and smooth on the palate with notes of black herbs. The tannins are small and grippy but not overly drying. The wine is elegant and graceful with a long finish. Score: 92/100 

• Villa Canestrari, ‘i Lasi’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore 2016 – Vento, Italy

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Valpolicella Ripasso wines make a great alternative to more costly Amarones. This vintage of Villa Canestrari ‘i Lasi’ Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore is a flat-out delicious and food-friendly red. There are notes of capsicum, cherry, pepper, and a touch of raisin. The wine is medium-bodied and juicy with some grip. Long and smoky finish. Score: 90+/100 

• Palazzona di Maggio, Dracone Riserva 2011 – Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Colli d’Imola is a generic DOC located in Emilia-Romagna. However, this Palazzona di Maggio Dracone Riserva is anything but ordinary. It’s a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot aged two years in oak. This is big and ripe. There are flavors of black plum, capsicum, pepper, stems, and a touch of tobacco. Full weighted on the palate with a chewy texture and ripe tannins. Score: 91/100 

You May Also Enjoy These Videos

• Wine Review: Palazzona di Maggio Dracone Riserva
• Navigating Valpolicella
• Beyond Nebbiolo: The Other Grapes of Piemonte

Cover photo for the article is by Eunice Brovida Foto. Our travel and accommodation were provided by Elledue. Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post A Glimpse into the World of Wine Merchants appeared first on Wine Travel.

It’s not often that you enjoy a 4,000 Euro bottle of wine.

Liber Pater is one of the most controversial and expensive Bordeaux red wines in the world. The winery is located in the Graves AOC, within the left bank of Bordeaux. Winemaker Loic Pasquet wanted to re-create the taste of Bordeaux before the aged of phylloxera in the late 1800s. He planted ungrafted vines and varieties that existed in Bordeaux in the 19th century. On top of that, he planted his vines at high density (over 20,000 plants per hectare).

Liber Pater is made in tiny quantities and on-release sells for around 4,000 Euros a bottle. On top of that, 2009 was a legendary vintage in Bordeaux. On paper, the Liber Pater 2009 should be something special. So what does it actually taste like?

We were given a bottle of Liber Pater as a gift, with one stipulation that we taste it blind. So when we carried it with us to visit a friend in Oradea, Romania he agreed to organize a blind tasting. As the evening approached, we wondered if the wine would stand out.

The Evening With Liber Pater

The evening started with two Champagnes, a Piper-Heidsieck Brut 2006 and a Piper-Heidsieck Millesimé Rare Brut 2002. The Brut was solid but didn’t get Charine too excited, while the Millesimeé Rare Brut 2002 is another story. It’s a fine Champagne that is still a baby and worthy of at least a few more decades of aging.

After Champagne, the blind tasting commenced. We had no prior knowledge of what wines would be included except the Liber Pater. Our host shuffled and selected randomly after covering the bottles. The wines tasted in order were:

• Giardini Arimei, Da Uve Surmature Dry Passito (wildcard from Ischia, Italy)
• Bodegas Benjamin de Rothschild & Vega Sicilia, Macán Classico 2013 (Rioja, Spain)
• Chateau Porto Carras 2008 (Meliton Slopes, Greece) 
• Liber Pater 2009 (Bordeaux, France)
• Crama Oprișor, Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (Oltenia, Romania)
• Heimann, Franciscus 2011 (Szekszárd, Hungary)
• Mapon, Kikone 2009 (Macedonia, Greece)
• Tenuta Carretta Cascina Fererro, Barolo 2008 (Barolo, Italy) 
• Fornaser Monte Faustino L’Amarone del Maestro Fornaser, Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico Riserva 2008 (Veneto, Italy) 
• Zenato, Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 (Veneto, Italy)
• J&J Ostrožović, Tokajský Výber 6 Putñovy 2003 (Tokaj, Slovakia) – not served blind

All of the wines showed well but we were most impressed with the following.

The Crama Oprișor Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 is one of the finest Romanian reds we’ve tasted. It’s from Oltenia, the southwestern part of the country. When it was unveiled, we had nothing but applause for it. The wine is full of plum, walnut, black cherry, and pepper. It shows lots of nuances for a big, ripe wine. Chocolatey finish with sweet tannins. The style is in between a left-bank Bordeau and a Napa AVA-level Cabernet Sauvignon.  92/100

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Château Porto Carras 2008 is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and the local grape Limnio. It’s aged in oak for 24 months prior to bottling. This is a helluva wine, especially with the fact that the ex-cellar price is around 15 Euros. Notes of animal, meat, black fruit, and citrus peel with some olive and violet flavors. It’s complex with refined structure. The tannins are developed and are guided by juicy acidity. When it was revealed our friend said, “I visited this estate months ago and it wasn’t showing close to as well as now, it tastes like a 100 Euro wine.”

Wow, wow, wow, what a wine.   93/100

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Zenato Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2008 showed remarkable balance despite its high alcohol level of 16.5% abv. Notes of black cherry, sweet cedar, nutmeg, and tobacco emerge from the glass. It’s dense and big with chocolate flavors on the finish. The tannins are chewy and this still has a lot of life left in it. Time has served this bottle well.   94/100

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Liber Pater 2009 was shy at first but everyone immediately recognized that it was a high-quality wine. It was the wine that stirred up the most conversation. After an hour in the glass, it started singing. It lies more on the side of elegance as opposed muscle. This wine is much more accessible now than many of the high-end 2009 Bordeaux that we have come across.

The wine has notes of black fruit, violets, blueberry, and cedar. It’s tangy with firm tannins and a long juicy finish. The juiciness and elegance are what threw everyone off guard. Nobody guessed that it was nearly ten years old, it is still very youthful. Half of us loved it while others were lukewarm about it. Regardless, it was the most talked about wine during the evening along with the Chateau Porto Carras and Crama Oprișor.   94/100

Is it worth the price tag? It’s a beautiful wine, whether it is worth it or not is for you to decide.

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

You can find out more about our scoring system on the Wine Rating page.

The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide. 

The post An Evening With The Liber Pater 2009 appeared first on Wine Travel.