The Wines…

Gambero Rosso is an Italian food and wine magazine and publishing group founded in 1986 in Pinocchio publications. It reviews tens of thousands of wines each year throughout Italy with less than 5% receiving a three glass or Tre Bicchieri top rating

The Gambero Rosso wine ratings in Vini d’Italia are built up on the number of glasses “bicchieri” awarded to a wine, which is indicated in the wine guide with a number of stylized glasses next to the wine’s name. Only 5% of the wines rated receive the highest rating three glasses or “Tre Bicchieri” award, and the wine guide only includes wines which are seen by the editors as “above average”. The ratings are based upon blind tasting by independent experts. The guide is edited in Italian, English and German language. Three glasses indicate “extraordinary wines”.

With the help of our longtime friend Robert Fatica, we have been able to secure eleven Tre Bicchieri wines for this fabulous wine dinner. It has been our tradition to hold the dinner on “Palm Sunday”.

Robert owned Primo Vino in Cleveland’s Little Italy for over 35 years and each year he would host a Tre Bicchieri wine event at his restaurant. Robert closed Primo Vino several years ago and now sells the Italian wine he so loves for Wines LLC. Robert has traveled extensively throughout Italy and will be a perfect guide for this tasting.

As mentioned, the dinner will feature twelve Tre Bicchieri wines matched with a six- course dinner from Chef John D’Amico & Staff.

Terlaner “Reserva” Nova Domus, Terlano, Alto-Aldige, Italy, 2022

The 2022 Cantina Terlano “Nova Domus” Riserva is a premium white blend from Alto Adige, Italy, featuring roughly 60-70% Pinot Bianco, 25-30% Chardonnay, and 5-10% Sauvignon Blanc. Known for its intense mineral, volcanic character and 12-25 year aging potential, it offers notes of apricot, passion fruit, and mountain herbs.

Lugana Molceo Riserva, Otella, Lugana, Italy, 2022

An intense golden color. Appealing on the nose with enchanting hints of citrus fruits white flowers and elegant mineral notes. The palate is richly structured and complex with pervasive mineral overtones, notes of flint and hydrocarbons. A lingering finish. It develops gently, designed for longevity. Made with 100% Trebbiano di Lugana.

Pecorino “Giulia”, Cataldi Madonna, Abruzzo, Italy, 2024

Wickedly fresh and airy in the glass, the 2024 Pecorino Giulia impresses with its floral intensity and ripe orchard fruit aromas. It depends less on the typical candied citrus notes of the variety. This is soft and round with a solid core of minerality up front, complicating its core of lemon-tinged apple and pear. Tantalizing acidity wins the day as the 2024 finishes with a saline character and a minty resonance.

Rosè “Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo”, Torre dei Beati, Abruzzo, Italy, 2024

Maraschino, strawberry, and tangerine. Fausto is a man of many passions. Walk along the road that connects Francavilla al Mare to Pescara he’ll mention the finer points of every beachfront seafood restaurant. Stop for a meal and the centerpiece will be just-caught crudo. Tiny briny crustaceans that taste indelibly of the Adriatic. This wine is pure bliss with raw fish.

Montepulciano d’ Abruzzo “Riserva” Zana, Illuminati, Abruzzo, Italy, 2018

The 2015 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva Zanna explodes from the glass with a seductive mix of crushed blackberries and Marasca cherries, infused with exotic brown spices, notes of rosemary and shaved cedar. Silky textures coat the palate, yet they are quickly contrasted by tart wild berry fruits and minerals as brisk acids tug at the cheeks. This The Zanna closes long and structured, clenching the senses in grippy tannin, while blue and purple-toned fruits and florals linger. The 2015 needs at least a few years of cellaring to help ease its tannic clout, at which point it should be a stellar rendition of Illuminati’s Zanna.

Barbera D Asti, La Luna e I Falo Vite Colte, Piedmont, Italy, 2022

A very attractive mix of ripe strawberries, blueberries and cherries with crushed herbs, dried flowers and spices on the nose. So refined and delicious on the palate. Silky and even with a medium to full body and lingering finish. Generous yet fresh and balanced.

Barolo “Ginestra” Paolo Conterno, Piedmont, Italy, 2021

The 2021 Paolo Conterno Barolo “Ginestra” is a highly acclaimed, structured red wine from Piedmont, Italy, rated 95-96 points by major critics Made from 100% Nebbiolo grown in the Monforte d’Alba Ginestra vineyard, it features intense notes of dark cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus, and iron. Known for its powerful, velvety tannins, it is ideal for long-term aging.

Rosso di Motefalco, Sacciadiavoli, Umbria, Italy, 2023

A great blend of Sangiovese with 15% Sagrantino and 25% Merlot, creating a medium-bodied, refreshing central Italian red, with sour-red-cherry and wild floral notes, and a balanced juicy finish. Winners of our 2024 Climate & Nature fund which will go towards a project to revive an ancient method of vine cultivation that has now largely fallen into disuse – the planting of ‘married grapevines’. The project is to test the financial and environmental benefits (and share the outcomes) of planting 35 trees together with 35 trebbiano spoletino vines to see how this improves resilience, biodiversity and wine quality.

Sagrantino di Montefalco, Scacciadiavoli, Umbria, Italy 2019

Made from the slightly wild Sagrantino grape this is a rustic, full-bodied, full-throttle kind of wine. Dark-cherry, balsamic, mocha and spice flavours meld on this firm rich red. This is built to age well, and will benefit from decanting for earlier enjoyment, perhaps with a succulent joint of roast beef or a porchetta. Winners of our 2024 Climate & Nature fund which will go towards a project to revive an ancient method of vine cultivation that has now largely fallen into disuse – the planting of ‘married grapevines’. The project is to test the financial and environmental benefits (and share the outcomes) of planting 35 trees together with 35 trebbiano spoletino vines to see how this improves resilience, biodiversity and wine quality.

Salice Salentino “Riserva”, Selvarossa by Due Palme, Puglia, Italy 2023

An iconic blend, representative of Salento, with a compact ruby red color, with flashes of garnet. It is complex on the nose: it opens with hints of cherry jam, then sweet spices which increase its complexity, and a minty breath as a background, recalling its Mediterranean soul. The sip is full, enveloping, lashing with freshness and salty flavour. The tannin is voluminous and elegant, perfectly integrated into the structure. Long-lasting. A blend of Negroamaro 80% Malvasia Nera 20%

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano” I Quadri”, Bindella, Tuscany, Italy, 2019

Elegant ruby red. Fragrant and clear nose of juicy cherries and sugared raspberries, along with subtle notes of citrus and mint. Stretches across the palate with beautiful juiciness and clear, bright fruit. Hearty currently shows as still youthful and will age very well.

 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione “La Prima”, Castello Vicchiomaggio, Tuscany, Italy 2022

The 2022 Castello Vicchiomaggio Chianti Classico Gran Selezione “La Prima” is a premium, full-bodied Tuscan red, typically blended from Sangiovese and Merlot, showcasing intense cherry, black berry, chocolate, and herbal notes. Aged for over 2 years, including 26 months in French barriques, it offers a velvety texture, 14% alcohol, and is ideal for pairing with roasted meats and game.

Limoncello, Felisa

Felisa Limoncello opens with aroma reminiscent of freshly squeezed lemons, pure and vibrant with not a whiff of anything artificial. That same natural character carries through on the palate, delivering clean, authentic citrus flavor without the chemical bite that plagues so many other limoncellos. The balance between sweetness and vibrant acidity is absolutely perfect, creating a mouthwatering and refreshing finish that invites another sip. I really do mean that it is quite simply the best limoncello I have tasted in the States – and even better than some I’ve tried in Italy. — Joshua Durocher-Jones – Certified Specialist of Wine