The Taste the Difference Campaign, a European Union-funded initiative celebrating wines with PDO/PGI designations, invited me to attend an exclusive media-only wine tasting on Thursday, June 19.
This is a 3-year promotional campaign that aims to increase the wine trade’s and influencers’ awareness of European Quality Wines (PDO or PGI) in the USA, Italy and Spain. The campaign is promoted by Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) and Promotora dels Aliments Catalans (PRODECA).
Union Italiana Vini is the oldest and most trusted organization in Italian wine. Members include cooperatives, private wines, agricultural organizations, bottlers, brewing companies and laboratories. The members account for 50% of the total turnover of the Italian industry and 85% of the Italian export market. They include 408 PDO wines. PDO and and PGI wines are considered to be high quality products, produced in accordance with national and European regulations.
Prodeca, Promotora de Exportaciones Catalanas is a public company established in 1986 and added to the ministry of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Government of Catalonia.
The speaker was Mark Guillaudeu, MS. Due to his flight being cancelled, Mr. Guillaudeu was not there in person, but he was able to communicate with us thanks to an internet connection. This educational tasting featured a tasting of five exceptional Italian wines highlighting their unique origins and characteristics. Mr. Guillaudeu spoke about the terroir, how the wines were made and their characteristics.
Franz Hass “Manna” It is a cuvée of Riesling and Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer and a small percentage of Sauvignon Blanc. Starting with the vintage of 2013, Kerner has been added by decreasing the percentages of Riesling and Gewürztraminer. The vines of five vineyards are located at an altitude between 350 and 800 meters above sea level. The soils are very different from each other and are of dolomite, porphyry, sandy and marble origin, facing southwest. Grapes are harvested and processed separately, due to different maturation periods. Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are fermented in barrique, while Riesling, Gewürztraminer and Kerner are left to ferment in stainless steel tanks. At the end of the fermentation, the young wines are assembled to favor the combination and harmonization of the various aromatic components. After ten months of aging the wine is bottled and further refined for a few months. The wine has hints of citrus fruit, pistachios, elderflowers and rose petals. This is a white wine that can age.
Roeno Trento DOC Extra Brut, Classic Method made from 100% Chardonnay (Trento). Harvest is by hand then a soft pressing of the Chardonnay grapes follows. Vinification is 90% in steel and 10% in tonneaux. The following spring the bottling takes place with the addition of selected yeasts. The manual remuage is carried out after a stay on the lees for at least 48 months. Disgorgement with the addition of the liqueur d’expedition. Hints of yeast, fresh fruit, brioche, peach, pear and a note of almonds.
Mionetto Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiorem DOCG Brut (Veneto) made from 100% Glera. Grapes are carefully selected and gently pressed in order to extract only the free run must. Then, the first fermentation without maceration in stainless steel tanks takes place, followed by the spumante Charmat method process in tanks. Alcohol 11% and residual sugar 9-12 g/l. The wine has hints of ripe fruit, honey, pear and, acacia blossoms
Le Forconate Tìcche Toscana Rosso DOC made from Sangiovese and Merlot. The grapes are vinified in steel at a controlled temperature between 70°F and 79°F. Aging: a short stay in stainless steel and then in barrique for at least 12 months, which allows it to develop its complex flavors and aromas. The wine has hints of cherry, currant, blueberry and a hint of violet.
Poggio Salvia Torre Zambra made from 100% Pecorino (Abruzzo). The wines are sustainable, certified organic and vegan. The vineyard is on soils rich in sand, limestone and sandstone at 120 to 200 meters. The wine is vinified in stainless steel at a controlled temperature and remains in steel tanks unit it is ready to be bottled. This is a crisp balanced white wine with hints of apricot, mango, white peach and pineapple.
