The Italian Trade Commission in cooperation with the regional governments of Abruzzo, Calabria, Lombardia, Toscana and Veneto

and under the auspices of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development Present Vino 09, the First Industrial Convention of Italian Wines in America.  With a title like this, one would expect an impressive event -- and it was!

          Three cities, Boston, New York and Miami, hosted the event.  In New York, it took place on January 26, 27 and 28.  Over 200 wine writers, wine importers, distributors and wine retailers from all over the country were invited.

          An inaugural reception at the Waldorf Astoria and dinners at some of New York’s top Italian restaurants were followed the next day with seminars dealing with all aspects of Italian wine.  Topics included:  The 2008 Vintage in Italy; Blind Tasting of

Brunello di Montalcino; Sustainable, Organic and Biodynamic Viniculture in Italy; The Ever Changing Role of the Media in Elevating Wine’s Taste Perceptions (I was a member of this panel); the Wines

of Abruzzo;  and many others.  I did attend many seminars and found them interesting and informative.

On the afternoon of the 27^th, a luncheon hosted by the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino.  I was unable to attend but Michele did and enjoyed both the food and wine.   I had already accepted an invitation to attend a luncheon at Remi Restaurant to taste the wines from Eugenio Collavini Viticultori. 

          On the night of the 27 there was the Hall of Fame induction dinner at the Rainbow room, honoring those in the wine industry throughout the United States who have helped make Italian wine the number one imported wine in America today. Those being honored have devoted their lives to the appreciation of Italian wine, to the country of Italy, and the Italian way of life.

          There were many levels of awards. I, along with many others, received The Distinguished Service Award.  There were eight Hall of Fame honorees -- this was the highest award.  Author Burton Anderson, Darrell Corti of Corti Brothers, author Victor Hazan,   Leonardo LoCascio of Winebow Imports, John Mariani of Banfi Vintners, Hubert Opici of Opici Wine Group, Piero Selvaggio of Valentino Ristorante, and Anthony J. Terlato of Terlato Wine Group were honored.

          On the afternoon of the 28^th there a tasting featuring over 300 producers on two floors of the Hilton Hotel. There were producers from Abruzzo, Calabria, Lombardia, Toscana, and the Veneto. There were also producers looking to enter the US market. Last but not least, the Consorzio Brunello di Montalcino presented their wines. (see Brunello: A Wine for the Ages 12-18-08)I have never seen so many Italian wines or producers in one place in the United States. The only other place that compares would be Vinitaly in Verona, which is the largest wine fair in the world.

          I decided to begin with Brunello.  There were over 45 producers. 2004 was a classic vintage in Montalcino and it is rated five stars. I was looking forward to tasting them. The first wine I tasted was the Castello Banfi Brunello 2004. I tasted the wine and then to make sure, tasted it again.  In my opinion it is one of the best Brunello’s that they have ever produced and I cannot say enough about it.  There were so many good wines that I cannot list them all.  Here are a few of my favorites: Fattoria dei Barbi 2004, Col D’Orcia 2004 and 2001 also another great year, Campogiovanni 2004, Constanti 2004, Il Poggione 2004 and Lisini 2004.

          One of the seminars featured the medal winners of the 2008 Selezione dei Vini di Toscana.( see Judging Tuscan Wines 12-18-08) I was one of the judges at this event last October in Siena and wanted to taste the wines again.

 The Chianti Classico 2006 from Casa Sola (see Chianti Classico DOCG 5-18-08) was the best wine tasted in the seminar.   Later that day, I was able to find the producer, Dott. Matteo Gambaro.  I spoke with him and tasted his wines, most of which are vinified in a very traditional way. His Pergliamici is made from 85 % Sangiovese, 9% Canaiolo and two white grapes, Trebbiano 9% and Malvasia 3%.   As of 2005, white grapes can no longer be used in Chianti, breaking a tradition that went back over 200 years. He could not call the wine Chianti Classico. I enjoyed all his wines. His wines do not come to the U.S because he does not have an importer.

I hope that they do they do the event next year but do the wine tasting on two different days.