WINE MEDIA GUILD...A Professional Wine Writer's Group Visits UMBRIA by Philip S. kampe

IMAGINE sitting near ED McCARTHEY, co-author of WINE FOR DUMMIES and across from CHARLES SCICOLONE, ex-Wine Director of I TRULLI and ENOTECA.

FELIDIA'S (143 East 58th) is the monthly meeting place for the 35 members of the WINE MEDIA GUILD, who are true wine media professionals. Each nominee for this organization must meet special requirements and must be Voted In by memebers to become a part of this prestigious society.

To become a member, your income must be earned from writing about wine.

Nominees cannot earn their income from another job. Articles must be published in print, which is a far cry from today's new batch of bloggers. Only print articles are reviewed by members .
PAT SAVOIE , co-chair of the Wime Media Guild said "Our members must write and be paid for the articles they write. So, BLOGS don't count".

CHIARA LUNGAROTTI from Cantine Giorgio Lungarotti (Perugia, Umbria) and CHARLES SCICOLONE were hosts for this all Umbrian afternoon. NINETEEN Wines from all parts of Umbria flowed during the pre-meal tasting and later were poured at each table.

My favorites included:
WHITES
CANTINA FANINI--ROBBIANO 2009 Chardonnay ($22)
LUNGAROTTI--2009 Pinot Grigio ($15)
CANTINE PEPPUCCI--2009 MONTORSOLO Grechetto ($12)

REDS
LUNGAROTTI--RUBESCO 2007 ($15)
SPORTOLETTI--VILLA FIDELIA 2006 ROSSO ($38)
LUNGAROTTI--ROSSO MONTEFALCO 2008 ($28)
LA PALAZZOLA--RUBINO della PALAZZOLA 2005 ($50)

The food at FELIDIA'S was outstanding. Courses included a soup of warm tomato puree topped with mozzarella and basil; pasta with duck in a red sauce and veal with lentils.

The food paired perfectly with the wines.

The WINE MEDIA GUILD is a group of Wine professionals that know how to eat and drink well.
My hat goes off to them.....and all of the Wine Professionals who Write in Print!!

PHILIP S. KAMPE

philip.kampe@thewinehub.com