DONNACHIARA--Campania's BEST by Philip S. Kampe

“DonnaChiara”, Five Generations of Female Winemakers  by Philip S. Kampe

The Petitto family, from southern Italy’s Campania region, have been land owners for over twelve hundred years. Imagine what your relatives looked like in the 9th century? During that time period, (13 centuries) numerous Petitto family members, both male and female, were the winemakers for their estate. Their job was to supply the family estate with wine from their vineyards.
During this long period, not until recently, has a first in the wine industry of Campania been accomplished. The last five generations (150 years) of winemakers in the family have been women.
The most recent family winemaker, Illaria Petitto, an attorney by trade, decided to break from the family tradition and make wine on another parcel of family property, which is located  in Montefalcione. The land has been in the family for generations.
Production began in 2005.

The ‘Made in Campania’ wine style using modern technology paired with traditional terroir and ancient grapes has made the DonnaChiara vineyard a leader in the region.

The area surrounding the vineyard  is well known for the production of three Irpinian DOCG wines, Taurasi, Greco di Tufo and Fiano di Avellino.
Illaria, like her mother, Chiara, for whom the vineyard is named (www.DonnaChiara.it) , wants to make wines  only with grapes that are true to the tradition of the area. As head winemaker and visionary, Illaria Petitto says “Our grapes are very ancient and rich of history that talks about our land. Each grape has different characteristics, as color, smell and flavor. I really believe that to return to the original that it will help our wines to obtain the right consideration they deserve”.
While everyone has been involved in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, I have had the opportunity to sample the wines of DonnaChiara, thanks to Cathleen Burke Visscher, an

Independent marketing guru who has urged me to sample the 5^th generation female (Illaria Petitto) winemakers wines, under the relatively new DonnaChiara label.

What I found were wines that were ‘old world’, intertwined with remarkable ‘new world’ flavors and aromas that combined tradition with passion in each drop. I was literally blown away by the quality and consistency of each wine that I sampled.

DonnaChiara wines should be on your radar if you are a true wine lover. If you are  looking for a new label, at unbelievably reasonable prices, then DonnaChiara is your answer. 

The wines of DonnaChiara are readily available, although production is limited.

What I would recommend, and I will go out on a limb, are ‘All’ of the wines that are produced by DonnaChiara.
In my opinion, each wine I sampled was an exceptional interpretation of the grape that was represented.

My list begins with Sante Spumante Falanghina Brut IGT, a perfect sparkling 100% Falanghia wine that serves as an aperitif before, after or during a (seafood) meal.
At 14% alcohol, the Tarasi Reserva DOCG explodes with toasty, full, rich, dark fruit notes that interpret  the Aglianico grape in its original form. Just as warm and full-bodied is the Taurasi DOCG and Irpinia Aglianico DOC, both, a natural match for game and roast. For pasta, try Campania Aglianico IGT. Elegant seafood, lobster and crabmeat pair beautifully with Fiano di Avellino DOCG, while Greco di Tufo DOCG pairs with raw seafood and herb cheese. White meats have met their match with the wonderful Beneventano Falanghina IGT.

Love and passion for tradition has paid off for Illaria. The wines from DonnaChiara are a true testament to winemaking at its best.

PHILIP S. KAMPE

WINES OF CHILE Online Tasting Tonight by Philip S.Kampe

Do you want to have a great Wednesday evening? Drink wines form Chile tonight and listen to Master Educator/Sommelier and friend of mine, FRED DEXHEIMER, walk you through a dozen bottles of the glorious wines from Chile. All of the bottles are available at your local wine shop or at Puro Chile, 161 Grand Street in New York (www.puro-wine.com ).
Fred will be in Santiago Chile for the tasting and will have open lines for invited guests to log in and to discuss the wines. You can listen to the event by calling 888-757-2790 and using Passcode 138348# .
You can log in on your computer at: http//tiny.cc/TerroirMC 
Bloggers can use Twitter by logging into #BlogChile to comment.
Wine parties will be going on around the globe for this global event.
The wines that need to be purchased for the event are:
Vina Casablanca Nimbus Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (Casablanca Valley) $12.99

San Pedro 1865 Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (leyda Valley) $18.99
Casa Silva CoolCoast sauvignon Blanc 2011 (Colchague Valley) $24.99
Emillana Novas Pinot Noir 2010 (Casablanca Valley) $18.99
Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir 2009 (Casablanca Valley) $31.99
Morande Gran Reserva Pinot Noir 2009 (Casablanca Valley)$17.99
Concha y Toro Marques de Casa Concha Carmenere 2010 (Cachapoal Valley) $21.99
Carmen Gran Reserva Carmenere 2010 Apalta-Coichagie Valley $14.99
Koyle Royale Carmenere 2009 (Colchague Valley) $25.99
Ventisquero Grey Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Malpo Valley) $28.99
Marquis Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Colchagua Valley) $18.99
Los Vascos La Dix cabernet sauvignon 2009 (Colchagua Valley) $64.99




Fred suggests that you chill the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir and take them out 10 minutes before the 8pm EST tasting. Open the Carmenere one hour before the tasting, pour a little bit and place it in the fridge for 15 minutes during the Pinot Noir chat. Open the Cabernet Sauvignon one hour before the tasting, pour a little bit and place it in the fridge for 15 minutes during the Carmenere chat.



I did have a Wines of Chile party in the past and all of the guests had a great time.Log in and you will find tasting notes, winery information and recipes via a Pod that will appear on the screen.
I look forward to hearing about your 'Wines of Chile' party.

PHILIP S. .KAMPE
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com

VIC & ANTHONY'S and VIBRANT RIOJA Celebrate Wine, Tapas and Art in NYC on Thursday and Friday, October 11th and 12th by Philip S. Kampe

Ana Fabiano is the world's leading authority on the Wines from Rioja. Her new book, "Wine Region of Rioja" and first New York City book signing event will take place from 5-8pm on Thursday, October 11th at the world famous VIC & ANTHONY'S steakhouse, located at 233 Park Avenue South at 19th street,near Union Square.
Wines from Rioja will be served and paired with a tasting menu that includes oysters, clams, octopus, duck and smoked beef tongue. The wines that will be served include 2005 Beronia Gran Reserva; 2007 Muga Reserva; 2011 Muga Blanco; 2010 El Coto Blanco; 2008 Palacios Remondo Paltet Valeomelloso and 2005 Marques de Riscal Gran Reserva.
On Friday night, October 12th,from 5-8pm, VIC & ANTHONY'S and Vibrant Rioja will host contemporary Spanish artist Luis Burgos and his new exhibition, "The Mirror and the Soul". Wines from Spain paired with Smoked Mussels, Stuffed Calamari, Braised Goat Belly, Iberico Ham and Shrimp Stuffed Piquillo Peppers will be served. The free flowing wines will include: 2005 CVNE Imperial; 2005 Dinastia Vivanco Reserva;2001 Bodegas Riojanas Vina Albina Gran Reserva and 1998 Bodegas Riojanas Monte Real Gran Reserva.
Both nights will be memeorable and worth a cisit. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND these events to all that love Wine, Tapas and Art.
Tickets are $75 per night or $130 for both nights plus tax and gratuities.
Call ERIC at (212) 220-9200 or e-mailEric at:Eostrow@ldry.com

PHILIP S. KAMPE

Going 'UNDERCOVER' to Pays D'Oc IGP by Philip S. Kampe

Going Undercover to Visit the Pays d’Oc IGP Region in France by Philip S. Kampe

I am going ‘Undercover’ on an assignment to visit the Pays d’Oc region in southern France.  My goal is to find out why this region has a special wine certification called ‘Protected Geographical Indication’, generally known as IGP. Why is this IGP seal on most bottles from Pays d’ Oc? What makes the wines meet the criteria for its existence? Why is this area of France so unusual that its rating system is its own?

Geographically, the Pays d’Oc region is a unique area that stretches along the Mediterranean Sea from the Spanish border to the Rhone delta. The areas covered add up to roughly two-hundred thousand (200,000) plus acres and include the areas of Pyreness-Orientales, Aude, Herault Gard and six towns in Lozere.
This vast area in Languendoc-Roussillon offers a wide range of contrasting landscapes and weather conditions. The majority of the vines face the Mediterranean Sea. The varied terrain includes mountains, foothills and coastal plains. The area, according to the photographs and videos I have witnessed is absolutely beautiful.
Imagine vineyards on a hillside slope facing the Mediterranean Sea on a sunny day with blue skies and Atlantic breezes. From overhead photographs, the soil is a mosaic of colors, mostly light brown to orange. Pay d’Oc region is known for its soil covers that range from clay to chalky, limestone, schist and gravel on the lower hillsides.

The laws of Pays d’Oc allow the winemaker to make wines from a range of fifty-six (56) grape varieties. These fifty-six grape varieties combined with the winemakers creativity produce truly unique wines. The winemakers say that the IGP label represents ‘the relationship between the area and the aromatic quality of the grape varieties’.
The IGP label guarantees quality, traceability and geographical origin.The IGP and AOP labels (formally AOC) are the only official European quality labels.
The wines produced in the Pays d’Oc region include reds, whites and roses. The possibilities are endless, due to the fact that the winemaker can make a single variety, two varieties combined or a blend of wines. With fifty-six grape varieties allowed, the combinations are unique and creative.

The Pays d’Oc region celebrates the harvest with the release of a Primeur wine that is released on the third Thursday in October, a month before the other new wines are released.
The region has over two-thousand five-hundred (2,500) winemakers that use the IGP certification symbol to announce to the world that they are from this unique region. My goal is to find out why this Pays d’Oc IGP region is unique to the world. What makes the wines so special?

According to the IGP governing body, “ Pays d’Oc IGP is an umbrella brand and an official certification label. It is also a unifying label, signifying quality, authenticity and imagination. The certification label has been adopted by 2700 vineyards and businesses. It ensures origin and is earned by satisfying strict quality criteria throughout the supply chain from the vine to the bottle’”
Going ‘Undercover’ has its advantages. No one knows who is behind the sunglasses and why is this person (me) making the Pays d’Oc region of France his beat?

I am discovering that I am French by Philip S. Kampe

I am discovering that I am French by Philip S. Kampe

The time in Pays D’Oc IGP has come to an end. My five days of ‘Pays D’Oc IGP Nirvana’ is now a living and lifelong memory. My first wine ‘Undercover’ a la James Bond adventure has come to a close.
Naturally I timed my trip to coincide, to the day, with the release of 007’s first movie, Dr. No, fifty years ago. The news filled the front page of France’s ‘Le Figaro’ newspaper.
All of France is still in awe of James Bond, hardly taking note that I may be 007’s newest incarnation, a Pays D’Oc  IGP wine spy.

I was in France on assignment.
As you know from my recent articles, I went ‘Undercover’, sunglasses and all, to learn why the wines from the Pays D’Oc  IGP region of southern France are so special, so unique and so good.
My goal is to discover what makes the Quality and Diversity of  the Pays D’Oc IGP wines?
I used the guise as a wine journalist to infiltrate Pays D’Oc IGP. I traveled with three other overly competent American based wine journalists to Montpellier, where we were picked up and driven to our hotel, by two, young French women, who were employed by the Pay D’Oc IGP wine region’s governing body, Inter Oc.
The hotel we stayed in is named Massane in Balliargues. It is a golf focused hotel and a perfect cover for me, the ‘Undercover’ wine spy.
The three wine journalists who traveled with me reside in San Francisco and New York. They were veterans and I was a mere novice.
You never know what you can learn on a Press trip with knowledgeable wine journalists.
Thanks to Delphine Lorentz, Inter Oc represnative at Clos de Rignac in Lattes.
One of the things I learned was the correct pronunciation of the word ‘vineyard’.
Delphime led an orientation session for our group about the Pays D’Oc.IGP region. In her amazing, insightful power point presentation, Delphine pronounced the word vineyard as VINE, like wine, YARD. That pronunciation will always be with me, as for the next five days I said vine yard the correct way.

Isn’t is odd to travel across half of the world to learn how to pronounce a word that you use daily?
Life is strange.

Speaking of oddities, I learned that the French people, which I am one, do not enjoy visual luxuries the way we do. For example, if I ware successful in France and bought a flashy car with my wealth, it would be looked down upon. The French game plan is to fit in and don’t stand out. That rule does not apply, I was told, to families with old money, race horses and chateaus.
In America, society encourages us to show off our wealth.
I am a bit confused which path is correct.
As the days mounted and our vine yard visits reached double digits, a strange voice came from within me. The voice became stronger and stronger, whispering and reminding me, clearly, that my origin is French and it is time to bring my background to the forefront.

Everything French is in my blood. To show my newly-found loyalty, while touring the mediaeval walled-town of Carcassonne, I purchased a French flag to hang on my doorway in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
To top that off I have decided to change the pronunciation of my last name from Camp E to Camp Hay.

Have I gone mad?

Wine Cheese or Friends? What is most important? by Philip S. Kampe

There comes a time in many journalists lives that writing is not all they want to do. As an ex-entrepreneur (The Candy People, Fabulous Phil’s Gourmet Ice Cream and Board Stiff Snowboard and Skateboard Shop) , I tend to look at assignments and meetings in a different way. When I find a wine overseas or at a stateside tasting and learn that the wine has no representation in this country, I often switch hats.

I know the market conditions and have a reasonably good take on the quality and price ratio of wines and cheeses. I have been involved, first-hand, in both businesses and have a broad knowledge base of cost and quality of wine and cheese.
As you would suspect, I like to broker these newly found products, with hopes of helping the vineyard or farm with exposure in this country.
This past year I have introduced cheese, wine and tequila to America.

Samples, which are few, are stored in my refrigerator for safe keeping. I have three small unopened samples of goat’s milk cheese from rural western Spain for safe keeping. If these samples are ever tampered with, the dream of the dairy will be shattered until I can convince them to send more amples.
I call this Phase One. In Phase One, you bring the item, often one piece of cheese or one bottle of wine to a perspective buyer to consider adding this product to their portfolio.
Phase Two is when you have more samples and technical sheets then you need, so, you can get the product to more than one possible importer.
Phase Three is having a complete refrigerator stored with samples plus a closet full of technical sheets and brochures.
Every phase is done in small steps until you can walk. A lot of cost is involved in sending wine or refrigerated cheese to this country. Plus the FDA is often of no help and holds onto packages for weeks or months before releasing the contents.
This is what happened to me recently.
I must paint the picture.
I received one bottle of Pinot Gris wine from a New Zealand wine producer. The producer chose me to head his mission to find an importer. I was his only contact. He had a lot of trust in me.
The producer was in the states on other business and planned to meet with me and the proposed importer, who I found,  for lunch. I only had one sample and we were going to open this one bottle of wine to analyze the contents. The importer was an old friend of mine and normally respects my judgment.
The bottle of Pinot Gris has a screw top cap, so, a back-up was not necessary. There was no cork, as most wines from New Zealand follow that trend and little possibility of oxidation.
The problem. The bottle of Pinot Gris was stored in the refrigerator and somewhat hidden from view. We had guests for the weekend and had planned our yearly pilgrimage to the Tyringham Steak Roast that evening. Somehow, one of the guests, opened the fridge, found the bottle of Pinot Gris (we were in the living room) and poured three hefty glasses of wine from the bottle. Obviously, the guest did not know how important the bottle was to me and my business venture when he opened it. As he came into the living room with the overflowing wine glasses, I said,“ Did you open the bottle of Pinot Gris?”, to which he replied enthusiastically, “Yes”. Naturally, I reacted somewhat emotionally and nearly shed a tear because this bottle meant the world to me.
The unopened bottle was the only vehicle I had to show to the importer. On top of that, the producer was flying in to meet for the tasting and fateful judgment.

The dilemma was obvious. You can’t bring an open bottle of wine, two days later to a business meeting and expect to make a deal with the importer.
I sulked the remainder of the weekend, to my wife’s and guests disapproval. I mentioned, probably too often, “ How can you open somebody’s refrigerator and open a bottle of wine without asking?”.
I, even, had a bottle of Lafitte Rothchild in the fridge for storage. I wonder if that bottle would ever be safe again? Obviously, if that bottle had been opened instead of the Pinot Gris, I would have been much happier.
The end result of the Pinot Gris incident  was devastating. The vineyard owner said I was not responsible and he was going to find another broker. My wife says I acted like a baby and still talks about it. My friend does not return my e-mails.
My dream has vanished.
Imagine, all of this over one bottle of wine!

WILD HORSE Wines by Philip S. kampe

The Wild Horse Round-Up by Philip S. Kampe

In 1981, visionary winemaker Ken Volk, searched California’s Central Coast for land to establish a winery and selected the Templeton area for the home of Wild Horse vineyard. His reason for choosing the location is that it is mid-way on the Central Coast, which makes sourcing grapes from the north and south ideal. Templeton is close to Estero Bay, thus creating a proven groundwater table with easy to manage soil for grape growth.
Founder Ken Volk’s goal is to experiment with rare grape varieties and make small batches of atypical from the Paso Robles region.
His team, led by Clay Brock, General Manager and director of Winemaking work closely with head Winemaker Chrissy Wittmann to create unheard wine blends from this region. Recent grape varieties used in experimental Wild Horse wines include: Blaufrankisch, Cabernet Franc, Grenache Blan, Malbec, Negrette, Malvasia Bianca, Verdelho and Touriga National.
At a recent lunch, Clay Brock explained that he is an extension of Ken Volk’s vision. His goal is to make exceptional wines while experimenting with different varietals.
The classic wines in the Wild Horse collection include: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Viognier.
Wines from the portfolio are sold in four separate categories:  Central Coast, Unbridled, Winery Exclusives and Cheval Sauvage, which means ‘Wild Horse’ in French.
The forty-four acre vineyard is named as a tribute to the wild mustangs that used to roam on the hills above the vineyard. 
Rumor has it that the vineyard is named after the Cal Poly mascot—a galloping horse. Both Ken Volk and Clay Brock are Cal Poly Alumni.
Wines are produced are from the estate grapes as well as grapes sourced from over forty different vineyards in the area and up to thirty different varietals. Sixty-five per-cent of vineyards production includes Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir.

Three  Wines To Try:

2010 Wild Horse Unbridled Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyards is an elegant, lightly oaked wine that accompanied my first course,  when dining with Clay Brock at New York’s A Voce restaurant at Columbus Circle. The lively Chardonnay paired perfectly with the hard to match pasta with barnacles appetizer that I ordered. Maybe it was the richness and balanced acidity of this apple, lemony wine that made the match feel like it was made in heaven. Clay ordered the same appetizer and knew the wine and pasta were made for each other. At $20 a bottle, the 2010 Unbridled Chardonnay is a true steal.

2010 Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir Santa Barbara is a beautifully lush, silky 14.5% alcohol upscale wine that made my lamb belly entrée taste better than it really was. Possibly the mix of raspberries, cherries and cinnamon contributed to the velvety tannins and minerality in this bargain-priced $34 bottle of wine.

2008 Wild Horse Cheval Sauvage  is a Pinot Noir at the highest level. The cranberry and strawberry concentration is mind boggling on the palate. Add full-bodied, balance  and lushness to the menu and you have a wine that can stand on it’s own without the consumption of food. The aromas of dense red fruit coupled with a richness on the palate, make the long lasting finish memorable. The 2008 Cheval Sauvage should rank in the top tier of west coast wines.

To learn more about the wines of Wild Horse, feel free to go to their website: www.WildHorseWinery.com

PHILIP S. KAMPE