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.

2011 Highlights

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.

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!

Summer Tasting at Ricco Wines, June 25th 2011.

Aided by the fantastic weather and the company of Domenico De Marco and our winemakers; Luciano Zeoli, Piergiovanni Giusti and Lucca Cimarelli, our customers enjoyed a great night of tasting at Ricco.

Good company, good wine, good food - It's no surprise that the evening was voted a great success by all present. Mary Scardullo's home made biscotti - what an unexpected treat!

Our Italian guests were on top form, sharing their knowledge and expertise with our customers, in a very informal, relaxed manner. What a night!

Millie Grazie Domenico, Luciano, Piergiovanni, Lucca and to all of our customers for joining us!!

The following day, a relaxing Sunday started with a pint of English beer with Simon at the Hawkley Inn, followed by an excellent lunch at Shardana in Guildford. Both highly recommended for a visit!

The day ended with supper courtesy of Trevor at Knapp Cottage, local food was complemented by bottles of 'Verdicchio', 'Rosso Piceno', 'Sangiovese di Romagna', 'La Crima di Morro d'Alba' and 'L'Intruso'.

The winemakers would like to say a personal thank you to all of our customers for their interest and appreciation of their wines.

Its been a great pleasure to welcome our Italian friends for the weekend, lots of hours, lots of fun, i'm off to bed now.

Trevor

STOP PRESS: come and taste our full range of wines and produce over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of July at our 'Taste of Italy' event. Last year was a huge success - dont miss out as Trevor can get lonely!