need expert opinions

[Botafogo]

>>I read that the wines from Tuscany and Piedmont are some of the finest." <<

This is due to the rediculous laziness of the wine press IN AMERICA which almost never covers anything else except to say that Salice Salentino is a good buy if you are having a party.

>>We are talkin' about a present for someone We don't know much about.<<

All the more reason to get them something that is drinkable now without long term cellaring as we do not know if they will age the wine or not. This is why the Canua Sforsato is our first pick for corporate gifts for our clients (and run away champion in giftee happiness feedback): it is immediately accessable and makes a big impression yet is also vastly more complex and interesting than most other things in its price range.

>>Finally...I don't really care about how many tre bicchieri any poducer can take I TASTE MYSELF !!!<<

This isn't about you, I mentioned that so that both the giver and the giftee can find some info and positive feedback on the wine with very little effort and feel that they have got something wonderful even before they open the bottle. This is the #1 concern with gifts in this country.

Back to the Abruzzo, all three of those gentlemen are friends of ours, have radically different ideas about what the wines of the zona should be but have great respect for each other.

Another point you cannot see from Italy is that wines of equal price and reputation in Italy are often WIDELY divergent in price here according to how big the hype on them is here. A Brunello or Barolo that is not any better and my cost LESS in Italy than one of the wines I mentioned will usually sell for more as the supply chain believes a premium for familiarity is an entitlement.

What I do not understand is why you always get so aggitated when we are discussing wine, and why you want to limit the discussion the way American journalist and distributors do instead of showing the wonderful diversity of Italia. I believe you are from Naples, yes, what about a nice Taurasi or Aglianico Taburno Riserva, these are surely "classic" since the Romans enjoyed wines quite similar to them, eh?

Today is the biggest day of the year for us selling wine in the US so I have to go now and make sure that people have Lagrein and Teroldego and Ruche and Nero d'Avola and Ribolla Gialla and Prosecco with their tacchino instead of some boring Chianti or Pinot Grigio, Cheers and GO GET'EM FOODIE!

Roberto

[This message has been edited by Botafogo (edited 11-27-2002).]