Thursday, May 19, 2011

Featured winery of the month: Castello di Roncade

Castello di Roncade is one of the most unique examples of living Renaissance architecture in Northern Italy, anchoring the town of Roncade, in the Veneto countryside between Treviso and Venice. The Giustinian family, original owners of the Castello, were important figures in the history of Venice, producing two Doges, many senators and even saints, as well as St. Lawrence Giustinian, the first Patriarch
of Venice. The Castello was designed as a working vineyard as well as country villa, and it has been continually in operation for over 500 years. The Castello sits on the ruins of a Tenth Century castle built by Emperor Ottone II.

The walls, towers and moat of the Castello were constructed in 1490 at the end of the Medieval Age, while the enclosed villa, built 20 years later, is representative of the early Renaissance. The stately villa was designed by renowned Venetian architect Mauro Coducci, who built the clock tower in the square of San Marco in Venice. The elegant lines of the Roncade villa were studied in the early 1500’s by a young architectural student named Andrea Palladio, who was clearly influenced by Coducci’s design.

The castle is entered by driving across a surrounding moat, through an iron gate set in a large portal between two round towers. With special permission one can still ascend the towers and stand on the battlement over the gate, where defenders would have once been prepared to confront an attacking force. Beyond the gate the grounds open into a beautiful courtyard dominated by four huge cedar of Lebanon and magnolia trees, which have stood for centuries. The statues in the courtyard represent Venetian soldiers, and date from the early 1800’s. The surrounding wall is anchored by four large towers, three of which have been restored as living quarters, offering comfortable lodging for guests of the Castello.
Our family, the Ciani Bassetti, has its roots in the agricultural nobility of Trento. We have remained closely tied to the historical traditions of the area, and the image of the Castello itself appears on all our wine labels.
The soil, or “terroir” in this area enhances the production of great wines, clay with a layer of ancient and rich “caranto” sediment a few
inches underground, resulting in varietals and perfumed whites, full bodied and aging reds.
The vineyards are located in Roncade, one is called “Pantiera” and is known for its vigorous vines, the other is close to the 1500’s barn
called “Teson”, which represents a wine culture rooted in the most authentic tradition.
The aim of our company is to produce only prestigious wines, as it did when Venetian Doges were the owners. We take care of the ancient maturation cellar and vineyards, keeping the noble origins of Castello di Roncade alive.

Terroir
From the Roman age and Serenissima Republica to nowadays, our terroir, characterized by a particularly dry microclimate, scarce rainfall and a medium-textured clay soil with a layer of “caranto”, a calcareous stone residue 15 inches underground, favored the success of Roncade as an excellent wine area.
From the 1950s the family of Baron Ciani Bassetti has grown the vines of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Malbec imported straight from Gironde, the heart of the Bordeaux wine region, giving birth to our famous blend Villa Giustinian, the flagship wine of Castello di Roncade.
Our vineyards are all within the Roncade municipal area, comprising a total growing area of over 120 acres. Wine production, aging and bottling occurs in the Castle, as it has since the 1500’s. The cellars of the Castle are home to 400 and 1100 gallon oak barrels, as well as French barriques and tonneaux, in which red wines gently age under
constant temperature and humidity.

The winery
The Bassetti family is rooted in Trento,with noble agricultural origins. We settled in Roncade at the beginning of the 1900’s, restoring the Castle and the Villa and planting new vineyards. Since then the
family has been dedicated to the care of the historic estate and the continued improvement and expansion of wine production. The current family in residence includes Baron Vincenzo Ciani Bassetti,
Baroness Ilaria, and their son Claudio Ciani Bassetti

The Wines
We have always put all our commitment into wine making. Our range has been growing decade after decade; the first was Villa Giustinian, the top of the line, joined later by varietal reds and whites and sparkling. We currently produce 13 types of bottled wine, each one
exceptional.

Villa Giustinian, a Bordeaux-inspired masterpiece.
Rosso IGT Veneto
Rosso dell’Arnasa - Merlot DOC Piave (100%)
Raboso dell’Arnasa - Raboso DOC Piave (100%)
Bianco dell’Arnasa - Chardonnay DOC Venezia
Merlot - DOC Piave
Cabernet - DOC Piave
Novello Pantierino - 100% Merlot
Pinot Grigio - DOC Venezia
Chardonnay - DOC Venezia
Patriarca - Pinot Noir spumante Extra-dry VSQ
Prosecco Brut - Spumante DOC Treviso
Prosecco Extra-Dry - Spumante DOC Treviso
Prosecco Frizzante - DOC Treviso (100% Glera)

Hospitality
Five elegant flats have been constructed in the ancient watchtowers. Here nothing is left to chance, care for the visitor plays the most important role. Each apartment is equipped with kitchen area, bathroom, heating and air conditioning and wireless internet connection, merging our love for tradition with modern hospitality. Castello di Roncade is the perfect base to explore the Veneto, with easy access to Venice, Treviso and the incredible alpine scenery of the Dolomites.

Events
Business meetings and conventions find their ideal location in the large Castle rooms. Marriage ceremonies and casual events are often held under the arches of the loggia in the ancient walls, near the beautiful Castle courtyard. We welcome you to visit Castello di Roncade, whether for a tour of the grounds and the opportunity to buy some wine directly from the source, or as our guest for an extended stay in the castle.

Guided Tours and Wine Tasting Tour
The tour will introduce you to the history of Castello di Roncade, a walled Venetian Villa, walking through the fascinating world of Venetian nobility to wine production. The stroll in the vineyards and the visit to the wine making and ageing cellars will involve you in
the secrets of the nectar you will taste at the end of the tour.
_ Visit to the Vila and Private Chapel
_ Visit to the Vineyard
_ Visit to the wine making celar
_ Visit to the ageing celar and barels
_ Guided tasting , 5 wines of your choice

Castello di Roncade
Via Roma, 141 - 31056 Roncade -TV
T. +39/ (0)422 708736
F. +39/ (0)422 840964
 info@castellodironcade.com
www.castellodironcade.com <http://www.castellodironcade.com>

Luiz A. G. Alberto
www.TheWineHub.com

 


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Cat and Dolphins playing together

You gotta see this!




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One of the pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries... 
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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Portugal: It was great to be there again (day 1)

If you are following our adventures through the wine regions of the world, you probably know that I left Portugal with a bitter taste in my mouth when last I visited it in March ( to read the whole story: http://thewinehub.blogspot.com/2011/03/what-were-you-thinking-maria-joao-de.html )

Well, this time I was invited to participate at the "Concurso Nacional de Vinhos" in Santarem and everything was different. It was great to be in Portugal again...

On the first day of my trip last week, I had the opportunity to go to Solar dos Presuntos in Lisbon... It was so good that I went there twice in one day! Yes, wonderful food with plenty of good wines for both lunch and dinner.
It was recommended by my good friend Andre Ribeirinho - Adegga
http://www.adegga.com – and it couldn’t have been any better.
For lunch I was joined by my mentor at the Institute of Masters of Wine, Patrick Farrell MW (the only other to be present at dinner as well), Lousie Hurren – “Love That Languedoc” http://love-that-languedoc.com/tag/louise-hurren – and Carrie Jorgensen – Cortes de Cima http://cortesdecima.com .
For dinner we had a different group. After attending an amazing tasting at the IVV (Instituto da Vinha e do Vinho – more on that coming soon), Roy Hersh – “For The Love of Port” http://www.fortheloveofport.com – Paul White, Andre Ribeirinho and Patrick Farrell MW took some of the precious leftovers (very old Madeira, etc) from our tasting at the IVV and headed to a memorable evening.

  Below some of the pictures of the first day of (what turned out to be) a fantastic week in Portugal.

Here is a little story about the restaurant:

Solar dos Presuntos - Your home since 1974

“Whoever comes into this home, enters their own home”. This was the feeling prevailing back on 31st October 1974 when Solar dos Presuntos first threw open its doors. And that is how it remains after some three decades dedicated to the very best traditions in Portuguese cuisine with a Minho inspiration.

Well over a quarter of a century of not so much serving clients but rather receiving friends. Because we believe that eating is an act of affection and serving is proof of that friendship. Hence the reason we attend each client with the dedication, refinement and the warmth with which we welcome a friend.

Throughout over thirty years, the specialties we restored from one of the longest traditions within the scope of Portuguese gastronomy have gained their due recognition from the cream of national and international critics.

However, true recognition comes with the familiar smiles of those who visit us with all the feeling of returning home. These are our true friends, the family that inhabits the memory of this house that they choose as their own. Those who have helped us in building a place of memories, stories told and retold, of bonds built up out of trust and affection.

This family welcomes many of the leading personalities from the intellectual, artistic, social, political and sporting life of Portugal. Renowned figures who honor us with their presence and leave us with the pleasing sensation of participating in the ongoing, contemporary Portuguese history, taking place at our table.

This is the history of this house. A history made up out of the stories, the moments, the paths that have crossed and once encountered then reencountered. A history that hangs upon our walls and that helps ensures this house is that little more intimate, that little more special.

This is the history of a family always available to welcome one more friend. In a home that is also their own. With the door always open and a seat at the table always awaiting.

May it always remain so!”

To know more about them: http://www.solardospresuntos.com/CONTACTS/tabid/117/Default.aspx

Cheers,
LA

Luiz A. G. Alberto
www.TheWineHub.com

 


Saturday, May 14, 2011

Attend SEATTLE'S Famous "Wine Procurement Party" on June 17th by Philip S.Kampe

JUNE 17th is the time to be in SEATTLE...

For the SIXTH year in a row, the "TASTE FOR A CURE" Wine Procurement Party takes place at the Great Room and Terrace at the posh HOTEL 1000,located at 1000 First Avenue in beautiful Seattle.

Admission is $75 or a donation of a bottle of wine with a value of at least $75. The wines will be part of a Silent Auction or the bottle will be auctioned off later in the evening as part of the fundraiser portion of the event, dedoicated to the FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER.

Live entertainment, coupled with wines from more than a dozen wineries, tasty and plentiful hors d'ouevres and select microbrews from the area will set the mood. A chance to win a one-night stay at HOTEL 1000 is offered as a raffle prize to all that attend.

The event takes place from 6-9pm on Friday,June 17th.

Tickets can be purchased online at: www.fhcrc.org/galaparty

PHILIP S.KAMPE

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Brazil: thoughts after one week of tastings

 
After spending my first week in Brazil I’m now flying back to the motherland. I had such a wonderful time in Brazil, in this huge and frenetic country of the South America, where you feel little bigger than a grain of sand on the Guarujá beach. Walking down the Paulista Avenue or on the Oscar Freire street or moving around in one of the luxuries malls of São Paulo, you will realize that there are plenty of Brazilians are eager to spend money. Nothing is enough expensive for them. The dramatic economic growth that Brazil is enjoying since the beginning of the millennium is increasing the living standards of its population. But poverty still remains. It is a country of contrasts that the music helps to balance, but it is getting too expensive. Brazilian currency, real, is very strong, reducing the competitiveness of the economy, and making not recommend for tourists. However, on the other side, it makes imported products cheaper, fomenting the its consumption.
The main purpose of my trip to Brazil was, of course, wine related. São Paulo hosted during the last week the major wine fair exhibition in Brazil, Expovinis, where not only producers show their products, but also major importers exhibit the portfolio they are distributing. Regarding the possibility of accomplishing our mission, that we defined late last year – to find an importer for our wines – Expovinis revealed quite interesting. We developed some good contacts and hopefully the interest and expectations Brazilian created on me, will bring results.
What else did I do during my one-week in Brazil? Beside a couple of business meetings, I also poured our wines in two tastings organized by the IVDP, one in São Paulo and other in Curitiba. Also in São Pualo, together with The Wine Hub, we organized and gave a Port Wine seminar, as we have been doing in Europe. This time the audience was very special as some clients of Meu Estudio, a design company that made all the layout of the presentation we use in our seminars, joined us. Some friends from São Paulo also joined us for this Port and Douro wine tasting event, that happened to be my best day in Brazil.
When someone talks about Brazil, you may think about football, beaches, samba or Carnival. But in terms of food, I’m sure that on the top of your mind is picanha and all the delicious grilled meat that Brazilians expertly make. So, on Saturday at lunch time, I went with my friends Luiz Alberto, Arnaldo Nacarato, among others, to Fogo de Chão, one of the best churrascarias of São Paulo. Luiz brought 10 bottles of wine with him, while I put two bottles of Port on the table. We were 6 in total, resulting in a pretty generous ratio of almost 2 bottles per person. The food was delicious, some bottles of the wine were wonderful, helping to explaining why we ate for over 7 hours, making this the longest lunch of my life!! My mum advised me not to lose weight during this trip. I was just honoring my promise to her!!!
I want to go back to Brazil and to visit again the Alberto and Nacarato family in Capivari and Beto and Maria Clara in São Paulo. And also go to the beach of Guarujá and enjoy a caipirinha with Nilce and Arnaldo. Life is good and we have to enjoy it.

Have fun and don’t forget to let me know your comments and questions.

Oscar
oscar@quevedoportwine.com


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One of the pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries... 
TheWineHub exists to help you with that.

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

The "SUPERIOR" PROSECCO is D.O.C.G. from CONEGLIANO-VALDOBBIADENE by Philip S.Kampe

The steep,green rolling hills located between Venice (Venezia) and the Dolomites(Alps) is home to a newly Classified DOCG Region, known solely for its PROSECCO wines, made from the GLERA(Prosecco) grape, Prosecco's historic regional name.

The region of PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG is easily the most beautiful sparkling wine region in the world. The rolling hills turn into steep hillside vineyards,only kilometers apart from each other. From the vineyards,you can see both the Alps and the Adriatic. This 'unique'area, visually offers the visitor spectacular views.

Geographically located midway between between the Adriatic Sea and the Alps, the grapes are equally influenced by the Adriatic Sea climate (maritime) and the breezes from the Alpine mountains. The late ripening Glera grape is influenced by sunny days, heavy rain and cool breezes.

The PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG Region is located in-between CCONEGLIANO nad VALDOBBIADENE.

The steep vineyards produce low yielding vines that are generally considered ROBUST and SUPERIORE as compared to other non-DOCG Proseccos.

Protection of Origin has always been the GOAL for the regional vineyards and the voice of vineyard owners. The CONSORZIO has made DOCG a reality for Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. The Prosecco Superiore DOCG name tag PROTECTS the vineyards and is a true stamp and GUARANTEE for QUALITY. Each bottle now carries a DOCG (tag)banner attached to the neck of each bottle. Like wines from the Chianti region that carry the Rooster, on the neck of the bottle, Prosecco Superiore DOCG wines now have their own pedigree or label of AUTHENTICITY.

When purchasing Prosecco LOOK for the DOCG label attached to the neck to know that you are purchasing an AUTHENTIC Prosecco from the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Region.

Important FACTS regarding the CONEGLIANO-VALDOBBIADENE DOCG Region:
+ The Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Region may be known as an Official UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site in the near future, thus raising the awareness of the region for its'
PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG wines. It would be the FIRST UNESCO site to be located in an all vineyard area.
+ EXTRA DRY Prosecco DOCG has more residual sugar than BRUT,hence, making the Extra Dry LESS dry than BRUT, as we would imagine.
+ EXTRA DRY outsells DRY in Europe.
+ The Prosecco grape is now known as it's historical name, GLERA.
+ Prosecco DOCG can only be sold in glass bottles, thanks to Paris Hilton and her ad campaign of Prosecco in cans.
+ The steep CARTIZZE region in Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is known for producing the DOCG's Best Proseccos.
+ ONLY wines produced in the precisely defined area in Veneto can be called Prosecco. All other wines, outside of the region,legally, cannot be called Prosecco.
+ PROSECCO SUPERIORE is Italy's 44th DOCG Region.
+ DOCG stands for DENOMINAZIONE di ORIGINE CONTROLLATTA e GARANTITA. In English,the translation is GUARANTEED and CONTROLLED by the Denomination of Origin.
+ DOCG wines must Pass a Government BLIND taste test for Quality in additon to conforming to the strict legal requirements of the region.
+ DOCG wines are analyzed and tasted by Govenment licensed personnel before bottling. (I want that job!)
+ DOCG bottles are numbered and by the Italian Mint. The seal is attached to the cap or neck of the bottle with the DOCG designation.
+ The DOCG wine must be bottled within the area of production and all bottles must be approved and must carry the DOCG strip on the neck of the bottle.
+ 13,000+ acres are devoted to Prosecco DOCG,of which,260 acres are from the Cartizze area.
+ PROSECCO SUPERIORE DOCG production in 2010 was 56 million bottles. Cartizze accounted for a million and a quarter bottles.

WHAT IS PROSECCO?
Unlike Champagne, Prosecco is produced using the CHARMAT method, in which secondary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, which makes Prosecco less expensive to produce than using the Champagne Method. Plus,the finished product can be bottled and sold 15 days after the second fermentation.
Prosecco is mainly produced as a sparkling wine,either fully sparkling (Spumante) or lightly sparkling (Fizzante). A small percentage is made as still wine.
Prosecco is labeled according to sweetness:
BRUT is up to 15 grams of residual sugar.
EXTRA DRY is 12-20 grams of residual sugar.
DRY is 20-35 grams of residual sugar.
Prosecco is low in alcohol,11to12%. Prosecco does not ferment in the bottle and should be consumed young, within two years of production. Outside of Italy, Prosecco is chilled as an 'Apertif' and is meant to taste 'fresh and light'.

WHY PURCHASE ONLY PROSECCO DOCG?
The reasons are simple and logical. Prosecco DOCG standards are meant as a Warranty and Guarantee of the highest possible quality for the consumer,which is you and I.

As a consumer,we are buying not just the Prosecco, but,the Guarantee of Authenticity.

IT'S A SMALL PRICE TO PAY FOR QUALITY.

PHILIP S.KAMPE

http://www.thewinehub.com 
One of the pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries... TheWineHub exists to help you with that. 













Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Our visit to Fogo de Chão in São Paulo

This past Saturday (04/30/2011), TheWineHub gang had the opportunity to take our good friend and Port producer Oscar Quevedo to one of the best places to appreciate a great "churrasco" in São Paulo: Fogo de Chão - Vila Olímpica.
Our crew of 6 people spent 7 hours (yes, you heard it right... SEVEN HOURS!!!) pairing some amazing wines with the dishes that were served in what seemed to be an endless sequence of outstanding matches between the food and the 12 bottles of wine that were consumed in the process.
About Fogo de Chão
Founded in 1986 by two brothers from Porto Alegre, today, the steakhouse is arguably the most traditional of São Paulo. The name is inspired by the method of preparation of meat, which is placed on skewers in the ground around a hole with coal fire. The restaurant offers 15 types of different meat cuts, a buffet of salads and traditional side dishes of the Serra Gaucha, such as beans and "arroz carreteiro". 



Fogo de Chão - Vila Olímpia
www.fogodechao.com.br
Av. Bandeirantes, 538 - São Paulo - (0xx)11 5505-0791
It has valet parking.




http://www.thewinehub.com/
One of the pillars of TheWineHub is Wine Tourism. Whether you are a wine maker, or a wine drinker, we all enjoy having discoveries...
TheWineHub exists to help you with that.

40 Years of Winemaking at Russian River Valleys Sonoma-Cutrer by Philip S. Kampe

 Innovation in Winemaking at Sonoma-Cutrer began forty years ago. The focus has always been innovation for this Russian River Valley winery....