Ameritaliano Wine Show – Report

My experience at the Ameritaliano Wine Show began with the lunch which featured Ruffino wines from Italy and selections from the Wagner Family of Wine in California. We started with a quite refreshing and pleasant Ruffino Prosecco and an Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc from Napa for a stand-up reception.  The Emmolo had juicy acidity and was perfect to clear the palate for the lunch.

The three course lunch featured halibut, duck breast, and beef tenderloin, followed up with some local chocolate truffles. The halibut was paired with two Ruffino wines: Orvieto Classico and Lumina Pinot Grigio. The pairing for the duck was the Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico and Conundrum Red from California. Caymus Zinfandel and Emmolo Merlot were paired with the tenderloin.

I have included my review notes on these wines with the other event wines below. The California reds were huge, fruit-forward specimens. My taste, however, leans to the style of the Chianti Classico which was more restrained in the presentation of its features.

Following lunch I had about two hours to spend on over 150 wines available in the booths. I could only sample a small sliver, and of course you need to spend time talking about the wines with the friends you bump into around the room. The room was not packed with people and there was good access to the tasting tables. Here are my review notes:

Lunch Wines

• Ruffino Prosecco, Italy ($20.85) – Soft bubbles with just a light bite of crisp acidity. ♥♥
• Emmolo Sauvignon Blanc, Napa ($35.97) – Crisp, dry, tropical rather than citrus or grass, more-ish. ♥♥
• Ruffino Orvieto Classico, Italy ($15.33) – Complexity of fruits and flowers with touches of nuts, perfect pairing with the halibut. Excellent value. ♥♥+
• Ruffino Lumina Delle Venezie Pinot Grigio IGT, Italy ($17.36) – Pears, yellow apples, and crisp acidity. ♥♥
• Ruffino Riserva Ducale Chianti Classico, Italy ($32.64) – Cherry and violets aroma, silky tannins, paired very well with the duck breast. ♥♥+
• Conundrum Red, California ($29.25) – A big, brash display of fruit with chocolate and cedar accents. ♥+
• Caymus Zinfandel, Napa ($56.45) – Another huge wine with black cherry, asphalt, black currant, and anise presented in a plush, full-bodied envelope. ♥♥
• Emmolo Merlot, Napa ($70.98) – This one needs more time for the plum, fig, chocolate and spiciness to integrate, although it is already drinking smoothly. ♥♥

Booth Wines

• Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel, California ($24.98) – Lots of grip but not as fruit/spice forward as one might expect from a Zin, finishes short. ♥
• Tommasi Surani Arthemis Fiano IGT, Italy ($17.99) – Great value in this fruity/floral package! ♥♥+
• Umani Ronchi ‘Jorio’ Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Italy ($19.98) – Good fruit expression with full body, more good value. ♥♥+
• Umani Ronchi ‘Cumaro’ Conero Riserva DOCG, Italy ($34.99) – Tannic at this stage, needs time, but good fruit so far. ♥♥+
• Guidi Chianti DOCG, Italy ($19.84) – I’ve recommended this one before, and it is now even less expensive! ♥♥+
• Baldetti Marius Cortona DOC, Italy ($29.70) – Straight-forward Sangiovese. ♥+
• Passione Sentimento Romeo & Juliet Veneto Bianco IGT, Italy ($18.74) – Getting past the label, this was surprisingly delicious with aromas of banana candy and pineapple. ♥♥
• Columbia Crest H3 Merlot, Washington ($25.99) – A well put together Merlot at a reasonable price. ♥♥
• Cavit Select Red Blend, Italy ($14.99) – An uncommon blend of Teroldego, Cab Sauv, and Syrah made for decent red sipping. ♥+
• Roscato Rosso Dolce, Italy ($15.99) – Dolce means off-dry and this also came with a slight frizzante which I found quite pleasant, might make for some interesting red wine pairings. ♥♥
• Diomede Nero di Troia Puglia IGT, Italy ($19.98) – A bit short, but pleasant red berry aromas. ♥+
• Maggio Petite Sirah, California ($19.98) – I have a fancy for this grape, and the wine came through with great fruit and good grip. ♥♥+

  

• Banfi Florus Late Harvest Moscadello di Montalcino, Italy ($32.98 for 500ml) – Sold out quickly, and for good reason. Mango and pineapple fruit flavours with good tension between sweetness and acidity. ♥♥♥
• Plungerhead Lodi Zinfandel, California ($22.99) – Wonderful spicy/fruity aroma delivers its promise. ♥♥+
• The Cleaver Red Blend, California ($34.99) – Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, and Syrah in a pleasant combination. ♥+

  

• Gran Maestro Appassimento Rosso, Italy ($19.98) – Delicious fruit and a generous aroma. ♥♥+
• Guerrieri Rizzardi 3 Cru Amarone, Italy ($61.99) – Certainly the best red I tasted at the event. ♥♥♥
• Woodwork Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($19.98) – Pure cassis fruit with spice, very good value Cal Cab. ♥♥+