15 Oct Dalla Terra: Quality, Innovation, Award Winning!

Gambero Rosso recently announced the Tre Bicchieri, or “three glasses”, winners for the “Vini d’Italia 2013” wine guide.  First published in 1987, over 45,000 wines were tasted by more than 60 judges to make it into the 26th edition.  Of the awarded wines, eleven wines within the Dalla Terra portfolio received a Tre Bicchieri® honor. Congratulations! Dalla Terra means “of the earth” in Italian.  Founded in 1990, owner Brian Larky, who was the winemaker at Ca’del Bosco in Italy, selects wineries that best represent the regions of Italy.  What makes this portfolio of wineries all the more unique is that Dalla Terra Winery Direct® is a direct importer.  Distributors are able to buy directly from the producer, which eliminates the national importer and thereby keeps the price a little lower. I had the privilege to taste these wines and meet the representatives earlier this year at a tasting.  Here is a list of the winning wines by region: Alto Adige Tenutæ Lageder 2008 “Cor Römigberg” Cabernet Sauvignon DOC (SRP $50) Fifth generation Alois Lageder directs his family winery that was founded in 1823. Certified biodynamic with modern winemaking practices, Cor Römigberg is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon with some Petit Verdot. http://www.aloislageder.eu/en/brand Veneto Inama 2008 “Bradisismo” Veneto Rosso IGT (SRP $30) For three generations, the Inama family has produced wines utilizing organic farming practices in Soave Classico and Colli Berici.  From the Colli Berici hills, this wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%) and Carmenere (30%). http://www.inamaaziendaagricola.it Friuli Venezia Giulia Russiz Superiore 2011 Pinot Grigio Collio DOC (SRP $24) Owned by Marco Felluga since the 1960s, Russiz Superiore is located in Capriva del Friuli in the heart of Collio. Know as the eagle of Collio, the vineyard sits high among the hills of Collio. http://www.marcofelluga.it Piemonte Marchesi di Grésy 2008 “Camp Gros – Martinenga” Barbaresco DOCG (SRP $85) With four estates in the Langhe and Monferrato regions, Marchese di Gresy began producing their own wines in 1973 from the family property that they have owned since 1797.  Martinenga Estate is located in the heart of Barbaresco and Camp Gros is a premier vineyard on the estate. http://www.marchesidigresy.com Vietti 2009 Barbera d’Asti “Nizza La Crena” Superiore DOC (SRP $40) Vietti 2008 Barolo Rocche DOCG (SRP $130) The only Piedmontese producer to have two wines receive a Tre Bicchieri® in the 2013 guide, Vietti has been owned by the Currado family for four generations and is located in the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto in the Langhe. The Barbara d’Asti grapes are from the single vineyard La Crena in Agliano d’Asti which were planted in 1932; the Barolo grapes are from the 46 year old vineyards in Rocche. http://www.vietti.com/en Tuscany Casanova di Neri 2006 Brunello di Montalcino “Cerretalto” DOCG (SRP $260) Established by Giovanni Neri in 1971 in Montalcino, south of Siena, the winery is today run by his son Giacomo.  This wine comes from the “Cerretalto” vineyard, a natural amphitheater which creates a unique terroir. http://www.casanovadineri.it Badia a Coltibuono 2009 “Cultus Boni” Chianti Classico DOCG (SRP $30) Roberto Stucchi Prinetti and his siblings are the seventh generation in their family to make the wines from this thousand-year-old abbey Badia a Coltibuono (which means Abbey of the Good Harvest) that the family bought in 1846. ‘Cultus Boni’ is made with 80% Sangiovese and blended with indigenous varietals Colorino, Ciliegiolo and others. http://www.coltibuono.com Poliziano 2009 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG (SRP $28) Federico Carletti began running the family winery in 1980.  Dedicated to the Sangiovese clone Prugnolo Gentile, this wine is made with 85% Prugnolo Gentile and 15% Colorino, Canaiolo and Merlo. http://www.carlettipoliziano.com/index_eng.html Emilia Romagna Cleto Chiarli 2011 “Fondatore” Lambrusco di Sorbara DOC (SRP $17) The oldest producer of Lambrusco in Emilia, the Chiarli winery was established in 1860.  With grapes from the vineyards located in the Sorbara area, the “Fondatore” Lambrusco is  a structured wine made in the Classic/Ancentrale Method. http://www.chiarli.com/cletochiarli_uk.html Abruzzo La Valentina 2008 “Spelt” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC (SRP $20) Fattoria La Valentina was founded in 1990 by the Di Properzio family.  The “Spelt” wine is made from 100% Montepulciano from the hillside vineyards of Spoltore, along the Adriatic Sea. http://www.lavalentina.it