Selborne Wine Society 2012

On Tuesday Ricco had the pleasure of hosting yet another excellent wine tasting with the wonderful people of Selborne Wine Society. 

To accompany our 8 fine Italian wines, a team from the society cooked up a very fine selection of antipasti.

Wines tasted on the evening were; 'Nerodise' Rosato Spumante, 'Salapia' Bombino Bianco, 'Versure' Fiano, 'Le Fossette' Falanghina, 'Secondopasso' Nero di Troia, 'Capoposto' Negroamaro, 'Terraferma' Rosso Primitivo/Nero di Troia and Albana Di Romagna Passito - a fantastic white dessert wine.

The winners of the evening? 

- Best value for money: 'Secondopasso' Nero di Troia.

An excellent medium-bodied red for everyday drinking. My favourite at the moment!

- If money were no option: 'Terraferma' Rosso 

Drinking now, will age. Very well made with elegant fruit on the nose and palate. A lot of wine for £14.95!

Both of these wines would make perfect choices for Christmas.

So yet another victory for Mr Angelo Paradiso at Cantine Podere Belmantello. Keep up the good work! 

Also great results again for Alberto Longo, with his 'Le Fossette' being the most popular white of the evening, great remarks also for his 'Capoposto'.

Always a pleasure to visit Selborne Wine Society; a very active, friendly group with a great mix of people. Why not join them for a meeting? See their website for details.

Thanks again to everyone that made it such a good evening, hope to see you again soon!

Ricco @ The Isle of Wight

A short message to all of our customers.

Ricco will be exhibiting at the Isle of Wight "World of Wines Exhibition" at Robin Hill Park this weekend; 28th and 29th April, so the shop will be closed on Friday the 27th and Saturday 28th April.

If you're on the island pay us a visit!

Salute!

Puglia 2012

Early last week, Messrs Ford and Davies of Ricco Wines were fortunate enough to visit the Italian region of Puglia.

The purpose of our trip was to visit the cantinas of two new suppliers; "Podere Belmantello" and "Azienda Agricola Tarantini", both of which produce wines of excellent quality and provenance.

Escaping the snow and freezing weather conditions of England, we arrived in Puglia on Sunday afternoon. Exiting the aeroplane we were immediately hit by the intense heat of Southern Italy (temperatures were approaching 10 degrees Celsius) and we made our way to the beautiful town of Corato where we were to stay.

On Monday, with the snow falling (Puglia's first significant snowfall in a decade!) we travelled into the countryside to visit the winery of Tarantini. At present they produce 3 wines; A rosato of Bombino Nero, and two reds - a Nero di Troia and an Aglianico.

We tasted these throughout the day and they are truly excellent wines, we also tried some of their 2011 vintage (still maturing in stainless steel casks) and even for young wines they are already showing real character and promise.

The following day we journeyed to Cerignola, another fine Puglian town. Here we met Angelo and Daniele of the cantina "Podere Belmantello" who produce a fantastic range of regional whites and reds, including (amongst others) a white Fiano and reds from Primitivo and Negroamaro. Pictured (left) is the entrance to their their impressive new tasting room.

We had an great time in Italy; the wine, food and hospitality were faultless and we are proud to announce that within weeks we expect to receive our first consignment of wine from both producers. Watch this space!

Salute!

UPDATE: Ricco is delighted to tell you that Nadia Tarantini (of Az. Agr. Tarantini) will be joining us at the Farnham Wine Festival on March 10th 2012. Yet another reason to visit www.farnhamwinefestival.co.uk to buy your ticket - just £15!

New wines, Trevor learns to Skype and Farnham Wine Festival

As we begin to finalise our list for 2012, we can already announce a number of new wines, from a number of new cantinas, that will be available from Ricco in the very near future.

Within the next few weeks we will be receiving our first delivery of Barolo and Nebbiolo d'Alba from our friends at Cantina Bruna Grimaldi (see their sparkling new website here). We tasted their wines when they visited us in the summer and not only is the quality excellent but the price will be too!

We will also be stocking some wines from a cantina called Spinelli, their Sangiovese and Pecorino are both highly drinkable (and affordable!) - but retain the provenance and quality that Ricco demand.

In its never-ending search for excellent wines at great prices, Ricco Wines now has another weapon in its armoury - video conferencing! Throughout this week we have unleashed the devastating force of Trevor 'Adonis' Ford via webcam, securing yet more excellent new wines from new cantinas.

From the Puglian cantina of Paradiso we will be importing a number of very regional styles of red and white wines including Bombino Bianco, Fiano, Negroamaro and Primitivo. The winemakers from this estate were here with us last week and we rounded off their visit with a very successful and enjoyable business lunch at the Queens at Selborne.

Also confirmed this week was a new collaboration with a cantina (also in Puglia) called Azienda Agricola Tarantini; including a rose' from the Bombino Nero grape and two reds -  a Nero di Troia and an Aglianico. We first met Nadia of Tarantini at a tasting in London last year, her wines are very impressive - another little gem in Puglia!


Nadia Tarantini will be joining us for Ricco's table at the Farnham Wine Festival on Saturday the 10th of March 2012. Tickets are just £15 which includes tasting food, live music and a chance to sample up to 80 wines! See www.farnhamwinefestival.co.uk for more information.

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.

Judging by customer reaction, the favourite wines of the night were; 'Chloe Prosecco', 'Pignoletto' a white wine from the Emilia-Romagna region, 'L'Intruso', the 'Utru' (a 50/50 blend of Nero d'Avola and Cabernet) and the ever popular Visciola - a rare cherry dessert wine from the cantina of Piergiovanni Giusti.



Our thanks to all of our customers and the winemakers for making it such a special evening.

Salute!

Ricco's Winter Tastings

Heading towards the Christmas period, Ricco is set for a busy session of tastings.

On the 27th October Ricco is off to the The Purefoy Arms at Preston Candover for an evening with Hampshire's Women In Business group. Guests are set to enjoy a 2 course meal accompanied by a tasting of Ricco's Wines. The excellent food, ambiance and service found at The Purefoy is due to the husband and wife team of Andres (chef) and Marie-Lou (front of house), who have recently scooped Hampshire Life's Pub of the year 2011. A great country pub venue; so if you require good food, ambiance and some of Ricco's Wines I strongly suggest you pay them a visit.


Next, on the 29th of October Ricco will be at Munden House in Sherborne, Dorset; A hen party will enjoy Trevor's undivided attention for a lunchtime tasting of Ricco's Wine. A top quality Bed and Breakfast owned and personally run by two of Trevor's great friends, Colin and Annie. For a quiet, quality break, Munden House is perfect - as is Colin's front of house and Annie's cooking! A good range of Ricco Wines can be found on the wine list here.


November begins with a trip across the border to Welsh Wales on the 8th, for an Italian wine tasting and supper at the Hardwick at Abergavenny. Accompanied by winemaker Alberto Longo, Trevor will present five of Alberto's wines, accompanying a superb five course Italian menu, courtesy of chef / owner Stephen Terry ably assisted by his wife Jo. The whole team here are rightfully very proud of their achievements and it is venue that I personally find very difficult to leave.


The 18th of November finds Ricco at the Unicorn Inn, Heyshott. New to Ricco, the Unicorn commands a good reputation locally for its food, wine and hospitality. Head chef, nicknamed 'Bird' will provide a tasting menu to match Ricco's Wines. Tickets are available, call 01730 813486 for more information. We look forward to being there.

Topping off November Ricco will be hosting its annual Winter Wine Tasting on Saturday 26th of November at Grayshott Village Hall. As always, guests will enjoy a sit-down four course meal, preceded by a Prosecco reception and then a tasting of 10 red and white wines, in the company of guest wine makers. A great chance to catch up on some new wines and vintages, a perfect occasion to stock up for Christmas and New Year - a 5% discount will be offered on purchases of 12 or more bottles. Tickets are £27.50 per person and are available from our shop on 01730 894751 or Email trevor@riccowines.com.

On the 10th and 17th of December (10am-8pm), Ricco invites customers to join us for an informal tasting of our range of wines; wines for your Christmas and New Year, gifts and advice for perfect food and wine matching - achieve top marks, even from the mother-in-law!

Early greetings for the season,

Trevor and the team at Ricco.

Chefs' Night Out 2011

Ricco and the Hardwick join forces in Cardiff
 

Last Saturday Ricco once again joined forces with our friends at the Hardwick for Chefs' Night Out 2011 - an annual charity event to raise money for Ty Hafan childrens' hospice. An evening attended by 17 of the top chefs of Wales, each cooking for a table of 10 paying guests, it was clearly an honour for Ricco to supply the wines for the Hardwicks' table.
After a Champagne reception, the guests were sat at their tables to begin their evening of quality food and wine. Stephen Terry, accompanied by head chef Chris and front of house team Jo Terry and Daria Hoffman of the Hardwick, presented a fantastic 4 course menu, each complimented by one of Ricco's excellent Italian Wines.

Starter was Buffalo Mozzarella on Focaccia Bruschetta with fried, minced Wild Boar, Sicilian Olive Oil, chilli, parsley and capers. This we paired with our “Cerasuolo” Rosato Montepulciano D’Abruzzo D.O.C 2010.

A fish course of poached native lobster and heritage potato salad with baked amalfi Lemon, locally foraged sea shore greens and Caviar, for this we chose the “Codronchio” Albana di Romagna D.O.C.G. 2009.

For the meat course, of roast Veal chop with fried smoked anchovies, polenta ‘chips’, Stem Artichokes, salsa verde, Black Olives, rocket and Parmesan, the guests were spoiled with Fausto’s “Mazzamurello” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C. 2007 - what a response and great combination!

Last but not least, a dessert of late Summer fruit pudding, what else could we choose than our “Visciola” Dolce Dalla Tradizione Marchigiana. A cherry wine of limited production and availability - certainly not lost on Stephens’ guests.

Stephen and Chris joined the table and were refreshed with a glass of Althea Cartizze Prosecco to meet their diners and witness the Chef’s auction, during which more than £90,000 was raised for Ty Hafan Hospice.

Ricco was incredibly proud to be involved in such a wonderful evening and we wish to thank and congratulate all of the Chef’s and organisers for making it such a special event - special enough to entice Trevor to wear a tie! (see picture for evidence!)

Salute' Wales!

Ricco's Winemaker of the Month: Piergiovanni Giusti

Piergiovanni Giusti is a man of considerable warmth and humour. Married with a wife and three children, he is deeply rooted to the culture and wine making traditions of Le Marche. In his company his presence and wit are infectious and the hospitality of the Giusti's is of the highest quality - the food is well worth a detour, salute!

Based in Le Marche, the winery of Piergiovanni specialises in the wines of La Crima di Morro D'Alba. This is an ancient, red grape variety particular to the sub-zone of Morro D'Alba, producing wines of great character and quality and of a style of its own.

Cantina Giusti produce several styles from this remarkable grape variety:

The base La Crima for everyday drinking - brilliant with salami, terrines, all meats and game and meat based pasta.

Rubbjano - a complex, full bodied red wine that has an intense bouquet of rose petals and brambles, mouth filling fruit on the palate and long aftertaste, perfect for a Sunday roast, lasagne or cheese. My preference here would be semi-mature goats cheese.

L'Intruso is a wine of 40% La Crima D'Morro D'Alba, 30% Sangiovese, 20% Montepulciano and 10% Merlot, and is named 'The intruder' because of the 10% Merlot included in this simply stunning, very drinkable medium bodied wine. Good bouquet and an abundance of soft fruits and tannins - we have never had such a response to a wine.

For someone with a sweeter tooth Piergiovanni hasn't forgotten you, Bollanera - a semi-sweet, semi-sparkling wine of just 8-9% alcohol, just perfect for a summer pudding, tiramisu, oven baked peaches or even as an aperitivo! But for a more complex dessert, the La Crima Passito is simply brilliant, or just sip on its own at the end of a meal.

The Giusti cantina will be one of the wineries that we will visit with Ricco in our forthcoming wine tours.

RICCO ROCKS IN AID OF HASTE

Ricco was delighted to have the opportunity to provide the wine and service for Shilling Communication's marque at the Wintershall Pop Concert last Saturday 4th June.

Overlooking the lake, and in glorious sunshine, the guests enjoyed a glass of "Chloe" prosecco.

During an excellent four course meal we enjoyed Torre dei Beati's Pecorino, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and "Cocciapazza" Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, alongside Trevor's surprize wine, Giusti's "Rubbjano" La Crima di Morro d'Alba. The delicious rhubarb sundae dessert was accompanied by Monte de Luca from Alberto Vaona.

After the meal, guests danced along with the 'Band du Lac' featuring Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Lulu, Roger Taylor, and Ronnie Wood amongst other stars.

The concert was in aid of the Heart and Stroke Trust Endeavour which is raising money to establish a research team into the cause of stokes and for the continued support of the HASTE wing at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

A fanstastic night was had by all!