The Inside Story from Italian Wine Merchants

Quintarelli, Tignanello, and Solaia, oh my!

Jordan can’t help but love his job

This week, the second floor of IWM has felt like the NYS stock exchange in the midst of a feeding frenzy.  Between our offers on the new releases of Giuseppe Quintarelli, Tenuta dell Ornellaia Masseto, and Aldo Conterno’s Granbussia, our phones and computers have been singing like a Southern Baptist gospel choir on Easter Sunday. Looking back at my week of wine fulfillments, I see an impressive list of juice flowing out of the cellar door, and for today’s blog I thought you might enjoy a survey of some of the glory.

This week there has been a huge run on the Galardi Terra di Lavoro 2008 – a hugely reviewed and rated Agliancio and Piedirosso wine that needs at least five more years in the cellar before its anticipated maturity.  We flew through an allocation of Gaja Ca’Marcanda Magari 2006, selling out in less than 72 hours.  The Amarone of Giuseppe Quintarelli is always a hot item, but we’ve seen a renewed and wider interest in his more affordable offerings, the white Bianco Secco and easy-drinking Primofiore.  Beyond this, we seem to have trouble keeping the Sicilian wines of COS on the shelves, constantly re-stocking on the popular Nero di Lupo, Cerasuolo di Vittoria, and white Rami (Inzolia).  Fontodi Flaccianello has been available in multiple vintages, not only the current and incredible ‘06, ‘07, and ‘08, but in limited quantities we’ve had ‘99 and ‘95 vintages that are drinking like a dream.

Tucked away in our beautiful cellar are always a few bottles that I like to call “stragglers,” specialty items where only a very few bottles available.  At present that list includes things like one 1990 Antinori Tignanello, four 1986 Antinori Solaia, two 1987 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo, and eight bottles of 1967 Gaja Barbaresco.  It is always a stunning moment to see these bottles, let alone the rare chance to consume one.  That bottle of ‘90 Tig would make one heck of a 21st birthday present if you know anyone with a November or December birthday.

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Go-To-Wine Tuesday

COS Rami Bianco 2009

In naming some of my most memorable wines, I would be lying if I didn’t mention the producer called “COS.” A Sicilian estate started in the ’80s by three friends who share a strong passion for wine, COS is actually an acronym for the first letters of each of the individuals’ last names. These two guys and one gal never fail to turn out high quality wines vintage after vintage, and the brand is most recognized by their use of short, squat bottles.

Recently I had the chance to drink COS Rami 2009, a blend of Inzolia and Grecanico, native white varieties to Sicily that usually fly under the radar.  When was the last time you tasted these grapes or even a white from Sicily for that matter?  Wines like this always intrigue me as they break the paradigm of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and other expected, commonplace white wines.

After drinking the COS Rami 2009 last weekend, I have to admit that I can’t think of a better Italian summer white.  Whey you consider that it is always scorching hot in Sicilia and that fish is a staple, you get how it’s very easy for natives to gravitate towards this style of wine.  Deliciously ripe and bright with exotic aromatics, vibrant acidity and a long fish, this is an addictive style of white.  I am thinking grilled swordfish with a spicy tomato broth when I next drink this wine. I might as well dive into the Sicilian experience with gusto. COS wines have a reputation for excellence, and the Rami, which costs under $30, makes a strong case for why they deserve to grace the table of every wine lover.