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.  

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.

Watch this space...

The Grimaldi's Join Ricco For Lunch

I first tasted the wine of Bruna Grimaldi at Villa Borghesi in the Frascati region, just south of Rome during May 2006. With good memories of Bruna and Franco's wine we are delighted to have their son, Simone, here with us at Ricco. During a short break to London, we were happy to receive them for a tasting lunch at my ex-wife Sophie's house in East Tisted (its a long story). Thanks to Simon and Suzie at the the Hawkley Inn, the Grimaldi's enjoyed an excellent aperitivo of English Beer. On then to lunch, where we enjoyed another aperitivo of Althea Cartizze Prosecco and four top quality red wines of Bruna Grimaldi.

With our starter of mixed antipasti, we tasted their Nebbiolo d'Alba 2009 and also the Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2009. This was followed by a main of braised shoulder of Lamb, with which we drank two Barolo's; Camilla 2007 followed by Bricco Ambrogio 2007. Both were also enjoyed with a selection of English and Italian cheeses. We returned to the Cartizze for desserts of roast Peaches and Chocolate salami.

We say 'Watch this space', as it is highly likely that fairly soon the wines of Bruna Grimaldi will be sold by Ricco. We found all four wines to be highly regional in style and of excellent quality. Unlke many Barolo's which mask the true quality of the Nebbiolo grape, these wines truly expressed the very individual character of this sometimes difficult grape variety.

Nebbiolo d'Alba is rarely found at the quality of this 2009, a very versatile food wine. The Barbera d'Alba Superiore has all the character and drinkability of this very likeable grape variety. This 2009 is drinking now, but will age perfectly - well done Franco and Bruna. All in all, a wonderful day was spent with Franco and Bruna and their children Simone and Martina, our thanks to them for bringing the good weather with them -for one day at least.

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!