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.
A short message to all of our customers.
Early last week, Messrs Ford and Davies of Ricco Wines were fortunate enough to visit the Italian region of Puglia.
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.
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!
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.
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.
