FREE WEBINAR AND Q&A WITH BEVERAGE INDUSTRY LEADERS
Whether studying for MS, MW, or CSW, ‘students’ of wine consistently report frustration in getting their head around the wines of Italy. Some say that the only way to understand it is to travel there – well we can’t do that in person right now, but we can bring you there virtually to hear directly from the winemakers and see their unique terroirs. Sorry, you’ll have to delay gratification on pairing with those delicious dishes you can only get in Italy, but this virtual voyage will get you one step closer.
- Hear directly from winemakers and proprietors of unique properties in La Bella Italia.
- See for yourself the factors that not only make Italy a special place, but what distinguishes one province, one region, one village, one hillside from the others.
- Understand the unique advantages and personal stories behind each label.
Panelists include:
- Laura Felluga, Marketing and Communications, Livio Felluga Winery, Friuli
- Sandro Boscaini, CEO, Masi Wine Experience, Verona
- Maria Borio, Proprietor, Cascina Castlèt, Costigliole d’Asti
- Roberto Austa, Winemaker, Cascina Castlet, Costigliole d’Asti
- Davide Rosso, Proprietor, Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso, Serralunga
- Daniele Dellanoce, Business Development, Azienda Agricola Giovanni Rosso, Serralunga
- Valentina Abbona, Family Proprietor, Marchesi di Barolo, Barolo
- Marilisa Allegrini, CEO & Family Proprietor, Poggio al Tesoro, Bolgheri
- Jgor Marini, Regional Manager Europe, Castello Banfi, Montalcino
- Marianna Velenosi, Strategic Marketing Manager, Velenosi Vini, Ascoli Piceno/Le Marche
- Milena Pepe, Family Proprietor, Tenuta Cavalier Pepe, Irpinia/Campania
- Moderator: Lars Leicht, VP Communications & Education, The SOMM Journal and Tasting Panel Magazine
Missed the live webinar? Access this session and our entire library of training and educational videos on-demand with a subscription to SommGo, SommCon’s new e-learning platform. Start your 7-day free trial today and let the learning begin!
RESOURCES DISCUSSED DURING WEBINAR
Webinar Q & A
Q: When discussing and tasting wines from the Veneto, the focus is often the growing and production methods of wines such as Passito, Recioto, Ripasso, and Amarone. What are the unique advantages of the actual terroir and the land itself?
A: Sandro Boscaini, CEO of Masi Agricola, Verona – Valpolicella Classica is made of three valleys nestled between Lake Garda (the largest lake in Italy), the city of Verona (located about 150 km/93 miles from Venice in the Veneto region of North-Eastern of Italy) and embraced on the North by a pre-Alpine Mountain range called Monti Lessini. These factors are the basis of the particular microclimates and rich diversity of soil types.
The vineyards of Masi are located along the main hills of the three valleys with altitudes ranging from 150 to 400 meters (490 to 1300 feet) above sea level.
In the low-hills soils there are calcareous sediments that intersect with alluvial soils as it heads downstream. Here, the vineyards are dedicated to the production of Bonacosta (Valpolicella Classico made with a blend of fresh Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara grapes) and Campofiorin (Masi’s iconic wine made with an innovative technique including double fermentation and the blending of Valpolicella by undergoing part of the grapes withering to obtain greater concentration).
On the high hills there are limestone or volcanic soils which are historically most suited for producing Amarone (a blend of Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara which are subjected to long drying of the grapes to obtain concentration of sugars, aromas, and tannins).
In addition to the uniqueness of the microclimate and the soil, two other factors characterize the viticulture of the Valpolicella Classica: the marogne and the pergola.
In steep soils, viticulture is carried out on terraces supported by dry stone walls. Locally these walls are called, marogne, which are typically made of local stone by expert vintners. The marogne have the function of containing the thrusts of soil during rainy periods by draining excess water and adapting over time to the morphology of the soil in the most critical points. This method also favors the conservation of the microfauna, a fundamental factor of biodiversity in the area. The marogne serves as a symbol of the Veronese agricultural territory and an emblem of a balanced relationship between man and nature as they are made in perfect harmony with the environment. For this is the reason, the maronge have been recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
The other important element of uniqueness of Veronese viticulture is the ancient pergola training system, which consists of a series of vertical poles supporting a scaffold positioned horizontally or obliquely. On this scaffold the branches that support the fruit garments are fixed. Until the early 1990’s, the pergola was undoubtedly the most widespread form of farming but has been replaced by the guyot which allows for easier control of production and maintenance throughout various vineyard phases. Recent studies carried out by the Masi Technical Group have led to the gradual restoration of the pergola as the main system of cultivation in the high hills as it allows for good vegetative-productive balance and a good sun exposure.
