Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Goals for this morning • Provide some historical background to key regions • Learn to “think local” • Discover new wines that have broad appeal, yet still maintain a sense of place Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 A quick look at the geography Prior to 1871 Current day Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Lay of the land Italy USA • Country: Italy • Country: United States • Region: Campania • State: Ohio • Province: Avellino • County: Montgomery • Commune: Tufo • City: Dayton Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Le Marche Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Regional Capital: Ancona (Portland, ME) • Founded by the Greeks • Major feature: Monte Conero • Famous pilgrimage site of the Basilica della Santa Casa • Famous red of Montepulciano Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 1 • Verdicchio di Matelica DOC, Fontezoppa, 2013 • Sandwhiched between the Apennine and pre-Appenine ranges. • 350m • Wide diurnals in temperature • Slightly austere; more ageworthy Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Campania Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Regional Capital: Naples (Fort Wayne, IN) • Coastal area: Amalfi, Sorrento, Positano • Mt Vesuvius (79CE) • Avellino: hazelnuts, summer truffles, Sulphur mines • Tony Soprano’s grandfather is from Avellino! Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 2 • Fiano di Avellino DOCG, NATIV, 2012 • 400-500 meters • Mix of calcareous, clay, volcanic • Fiano vine native to Avellino • Vine has shorter life than most • Wines are cellar worthy Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 3 • Greco di Tufo DOCG, Benito Ferrara ‘Vigna Cicogna’ 2013 • Single vineyard, east facing • 500 meters • Greco brought by Greeks • Famous Tuff soil; compact volcanic Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Veneto Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Regional Capital: Venice (Ottawa, Canada) • Most Serene Venetian Republic • Stretched down through modern day Croatia • Provided fleets of ships for eager crusaders • Lake Garda: Italy’s largest lake • Veneto: highest volume production Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 4 • Bardolino DOC, Cavalchina, 2013 • Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara • Tank fermented to retain freshness • Soil is based on ancient glacial deposits Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 5 (back to the Marche) • Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC, Velenosi, 2013 • Unique tear-shape grapes • Very aromatic • Not related to Lacryma in Campania • DOC is within the Castelli di Jesi DOC known for Verdicchio Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Tuscany Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Regional Capital: Florence (Milwaukee, WI) • The land of Sangiovese synonyms • Settled by ancient Etruscans • Old rivalries of Florence/Siena • Montepulciano ally to Florence • Medici influence on culture • Vino Rosso Scelto di Montepulciano (original name) Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 6 • Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Dei ‘Bossona’ Reserva, 2008 • 100% Prugnolo Gentile • Single vineyard produced only in the best years • 36 month in 750L Tonneaux • 12 month in bottle Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Umbria Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Regional Capital: Perugia (Concord, NH) • Settled by ancient Umbrian (longtime enemy of the Etruscans) • Fields of Sunflower and potatoes • Famous towns of Assisi and Orvieto • Montefalco hilltop town • Historically passito style wines • Dry table wine began in 1970s Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Wine number 7 • Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, Antonelli San Marco, 2007 • Sagrantino dates back 400 years • Fewer than 2,000 acres planted • 100% sagrantino • Maceration last 25-40 days, wines then moved to barrel for 24 months, then glass-lined cement for 12 month, then bottle for 12 month Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015 Michael Freeman, CSW, Advanced Sommelier 2015.