2011 has been a good year for Ricco; new customers, new wines and new staff.
The year started with successful visits to Italy - Tuscany, Le Marche, Emilia-Romagna and Abruzzo. One particular memory was my visit to Setriolo (Tuscany) in the company of Silvia Formigli; our off-road, downhill journey in 4 inches of snow at 60mph was somewhat stressful. As she launched the car through snow-covered potholes she reassured me that she knew the track "like the back of my hand" and as such I was not to be concerned. Silvia's driving is something to be experienced, even on dry roads in the Summer - not for the faint hearted.
Spring saw the arrival of our "Visciola" a cherry-based dessert wine from Piergiovanni Giusti, as well as the Rosso Piceno from Cimarelli, both of which have proved very popular additions to our wine list.
In June Ricco was present with Shilling Communication at the Wintershall charity concert with guest appearances from Ronnie Wood, Roger Taylor, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and many others. Bit of a trip down memory lane for me. Later in that month Ricco hosted its Summer Exclusivo at Ricco HQ in the company of Luca Cimarelli, Luciano Zeoli, Piergiovanni Giusti and Domenico Di Marco.
During August we received Simone Grimaldi from the Piedmontese cantina of Bruna Grimaldi - producers of Barolo, Nebbiolo, Dolcetto and Barbera. Soon to be found on Ricco's list! Later that month Simone was joined by his parents and sister, Martina. His stay of 5 weeks was a mutual pleasure and a good way to start a business collaboration.
In September and October Ricco was busy conducting several tastings both at Ricco HQ as well as at the Purefoy Arms, Preston Candover. We were also proud to supply the wines for Stephen Terry (of the Hardwick at Abergavenny) at the Chef's Night Out in Cardiff - a charity event hosted by 17 of Wales' top chefs. November saw the arrival of Alberto Longo from Puglia, whose wines Ricco have sold for several years. It was Alberto's first visit to us which culminated in a very successful tasting at the Hardwick.
The month of November was particularly busy for us a Ricco with a tasting at the Unicorn Inn, Heyshott, followed by Ricco being very happy to supply and serve the wines at Richard Buer's 50th Birthday Party at Chawton House - a great evening. The end of the month was dominated by our Winter Wine Tasting at Grayshott Village Hall, a very enjoyable and successful evening.
2011 ended with a very successful and busy December for Ricco Wines. We would to thank all of our customers for their loyalty and look forward to seeing you all again in 2012!
Check our website for all the dates for 2012 - soon to be uploaded.
Once again, thank you for your support and from all the team at Ricco, we wish you all a happy and prosperous 2012.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
December @ Ricco
Well it’s nearly here now; have you considered your wines for the festive period? If not, log on pick up the phone, or come and see us at the shop!
We have
tastings throughout December - every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until
Christmas eve. A good chance to taste and leave with perfect wines for your
menus and parties! To mention just a few, our Frizzante and Chloe Prosecco’s are
perfect for aperitivo and many food combinations. The Gavi, Pignoletto andAlbana can cater for all the normal requirements of a white wine - Smoked
Salmon, all fish and shellfish, vegetables and white meats. Our Codronchio (a late harvest wine) derived
from the Albana grape is just perfect for sashimi and carpaccio of fish, pasta
with cheese - also perfect with the cheeseboard! A little ‘outside the box’ but
try it, it really works.
A white with
the Turkey?
Try our
Giocheremo Con I Fiori, a 100% Pecorino, with fruit and acidity levels perfect
for the flavour combinations of
traditional roast Turkey.
Reds?
For an easy
drinking, highly versatile red wine why not try our Rosso Piceno from 60%
Montepulciano and 40% Sangiovese. A little more complexity? Try our Le Morine,
a top quality and well-rounded 100% Sangiovese. If you are having red meat this
Christmas consider our Capoposto from 100% Negroamaro grapes, or Parco Marano
from 100% Nero d’Troia.
Having game?
Seriously
consider our Castaroto 2007, from a blend of Corvina, Oseletta, Raboso and
Cabrusina.
For the cheese, well worth considering Rubbjano - 100% La Crima di Morro d’Alba, Renzo a Cabernet/Merlot blend from Bolgheri or Amarone Paverno.
Something
for you sweeties?
AlbanaPassito - a dessert wine from 100% Albana. A real classic from Luciano Zeoli.
If you want something really exclusive then you must have our Visciola, a rare
and limited production wine made from white cherry, courtesy of winemaker
Piergiovanni Giusti. At home with desserts of chocolate, cherry, biscotti, or
just sip on its own with friends and family.
This is just
a few of the wines that truly compliment Christmas and New Year. For more
information on food/wine matching, come and visit us - we are open Thursday,
Friday and Saturday 10am-8pm.
Winter Wine Tasting - 26th November 2011
At our annual bash at Grayshott, Ricco were very lucky to have the company of a number of winemakers. On the Friday we received Sicilian winemakers; Remigio and Michela Candido, the wines of which Ricco will have on its list as from January. Two very distinctive whites from the Grillo and Inzolia grape varieties and two equally distinctive reds from Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Candido's were accompanied by Michela Basile (of Roman descent) now resident in Chelsea.
The following day, the day of the tasting, Ricco welcomed two more familiar faces; Domenico Di Marco and Piergiovanni Giusti. After a Chloe Prosecco reception our 104 guests sat down for a 4 course meal and tasted 10 wines, including two of new wines of Candido, the 'Mucino' Bianco and 'Utru' Rosso.
Our thanks to all of our customers and the winemakers for making it such a special evening.
Salute!
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