Event Report: Vintages Pre-Release Tasting — Illustrious Italians with Special Guest - Italian Wine Scholar Instructor Matt Webb

Reported by Christian Marcoux

Vino Italiano con amore!
I wasn’t a big Italian wine drinker before attending this event. I only knew there were many types of grapes and styles, making it difficult to choose, and some are very expensive. However, thanks to the President of the Guild, Bill Ellis, and his special guest and instructor at the Italian Wine Scholar, Matt Webb, I have changed my mind.

This duo of Italian wine lovers made us taste 13 wines in four flight; the first of which was a flight of white wines. I was very grateful to have a chance to taste such amazing wine while receiving great insight from Matt about Italian winemaking and regions.

My three wine choices for Hidden Gem, Best Value and Best of the Night were quite challenging to choose. 

My Best Value wine choice is La Vite Lucente 2016, crafted from Merlot, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a pure black fruit Super Tuscany type wine, with rich aromas and flavors, showing its elegance as an easy drinking wine.

My choice for Hidden Gem is as the title says, a gem. Monte Del Fra Lena Di Mezzo Amarone 2013, apassimento style at its best is a pitch-dark wine that offers dense aromas of cherry and dried fruit, with well composes tannin. This approachable Amarone will please any connoisseurs and amateur of Italian wine.

The Best of the Night was like choosing between a Ferrari or a Maserati. As difficult of a choice to make, Oreno 2016 won first place at the finish line. No, it’s not because of its 99Pts rating by James Suckling. It is its amazing character and quality, tastes of dark fruit, spice and pleasant oak, with a silky finish that make this complex wine a noble attraction.

​Hope to see you at the next event. Ciao!
​Christian Marcoux
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