Fine Art & Fine Wine - March 2013

From the 12-17th of March 2013 Ricco is playing host to the Stilwell art group as they hold one of their major exhibitions of the year in our wine shop and throughout the adjoining building.

This fantastic art group, based in Southern England, have gained an enviable a reputation for themselves through the quality and originality of their work and diversity of their exhibitions. 

The exhibition is launched at 6pm on Tuesday 12th March when you are invited to meet the artists and (of course!) have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of fine Italian wine. The exhibition then runs from Wednesday 13th to Sunday 17th of March from 11am-8pm.

A percentage of all sales will be donated to the Dreams Come True Children's Charity.

For more information email us or contact 01730 894751.

'Aglianico' and 'Nero di Troia' from Azienda Agricola Tarantini 

Angelo Paradiso

Had a tasting of these at the weekend, drinking nicely. Both typical examples of their type, perfect with steaks, sausages, roasts, game and horse (if you're partial to supermarket Lasagne!). Seriously though, both these wines are a snip at £5.50 each when you buy 6, £4.95 each when you buy 12 and £4.50 when you buy 24 or more. 

Stocks are limited, so phone 01730 894751, email us on info@riccowines.com or visit the shop - Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10am-8pm.

This Saturday 23rd we are tasting wines of Sicily and Puglia at the shop - new vintages, new wines from De Gregorio, Cantine Paradiso adn Podere Belmantello. Hope to see you here!

Quality assurance: VDT, IGT, DOC, DOCG

A question we are often asked here at Ricco is 'What does VDT/IGT/DOC/DOCG mean?'.

One of these four acronyms will be found on the label of every quality bottle of Italian wine, but perhaps understandably their significance is often not understood.

Put simply, these four marks are the Quality Designation - part of a series of laws introduced in the last 50 years to regulate and safeguard the quality of Italy's wine and can be described as follows.

VDT or Vino Da Tavola.

The least strict of all the designations and lowest category of wine which can be produced. Categorised as a table wine, these have no specific geographic origin and can contain (almost) whatever the producer wishes to use. They are forbidden by law to display either their grape variety or a vintage. The quality of a VDT wine varies enormously; from very poor to excellent - some very good winemakers will use the more relaxed VDT rules to make wonderful, interesting wines from unusual blends which could not be classified under the other designations. In the UK, you will sometimes find VDT's used as restaurant house wines and served by the carafe.

IGT or Indicazione Geographica Tipica (typical geographical indication).

Introduced in 1992 this denotes a higher quality of table wine and IGT's are subject to greater control than VDT's. Grapes used in an IGT wine must be grown within a specific area, but producers are not subject to rules regarding processes such as ageing or bottle ageing. The focus of an IGT wine is more on where it was made, rather than the grapes used or style created. As with VDT, quality can vary but it does allow for the creation of some very interesting wines. Here at Ricco we stock a number of IGT wines of excellent quality such Piergiovanni Giusti's "L'Intruso IGT" produced from 4 grape varieties. Prior to 1992 this wine would have to have been labelled a VDT - a classification that would perhaps not do credit to a winemaker of Piergiovanni's professionalism and standing.

DOC or Denominazione di Origine Controllata (controlled designation of origin).

DOC is the quality designation for the majority of Italian wine. It indicates that the wine has been produced in a specific region, from specific grapes and in a specific style. Amongst other regulations, producers must (by law) keep the grapes used for creating DOC wines separate from other grapes when recording in the official cellar registers. Since its introduction in 1963, the DOC classification has done a great deal to increase the overall quality of Italian wine since standards of production are theoretically controlled by law.

DOCG or Denominazione di Origine Controlla e Garantita (controlled designation of origin guaranteed).

Our 'Camilla' Barolo. A DOCG wine,
complete with its strip of official guarantee.

The highest level of quality designation, for a wine to be labelled DOCG it must meet all of the conditions of a DOC wine and more still. Yeald is controlled and a tasting commission must sample and approve each batch of wine before its DOCG is granted. Every bottle must also display an official strip or guarantee which is only released upon approval of the tasting committee. The most famous DOCG wines include Barolo and Brunello di Montalcino.

The above is meant only as a beginners guide to the basic principles of the Quality Assurance system. The important thing to remember is that buying a bottle of wine from the supermarket stamped DOC or DOCG does not guarantee you an enjoyable or well made bottle of wine, just a regulated one. 

It is here that a wine merchant like Ricco is key - we source quality wines direct from the supplier. We know the people who make the wines, we visit their cantinas and we actively search for the best quality wine at the best possible price. We know what goes in their wine and (equally as important) what does not go in their wine.

Introducing Cantine De Gregorio

An introduction to our newest supplier - Cantine De Gregorio of southern Sicily.

Chefs' Night Out 2013

Saturday 26th January once again saw Ricco teaming up with our friends at the Hardwick for the biennial "Chefs' Night Out" event in Cardiff. 

14 top chefs cooked for 140 guests who were treated to an evening of fine dining and fine wines.

With Stephen's distinctive, classic menu it was a simple task to match the wines and both received very positive feedback from the Hardwick's guests. A great endorsement for the latest additions to our list - Cantine De Gregorio from Sicily and Cantine Paradiso from Puglia and let's not forget Luciano's Albana Passito, as always a huge favourite!

It was a privilege to sponsor our good clients the Hardwick at such a prestigious and worthy event, overall during the evening £104,000 was raised for Ty Hafan children's hospice. Stephen Terry's auction alone raised £7,500.

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If like me the rain is making you feel a little grey, come and lighten your mood with a glass at Ricco or a bottle or two for home. Wine service at your home can be arranged with an invitation to lunch or supper...!

Shop open Thursday to Saturday 10am-8pm

Winter Wine Tasting 2012

A huge thanks to all of our guests for making our annual Winter Wine Tasting yet another great success.

Joining our 100 customers for the evening were Luisa from Cantine de Gregorio and Hugh from Val di Toro. Both producers are new to the list of Ricco.

The night began with a glass of Althea's Prosecco Frizzante, a perfect aperitivo.

A further 9 wines were enjoyed by our guests alongside an excellent 4 course meal from Janie and her team at Blue Fig Catering.

All the wines were very well received, but particular praise was reserved for; the 'Rahana' Inzolia from Gregorio, both the Vermentino and Morellino di Scansano from Val di Torro (very classic Tuscan examples from Vermentino and Sangiovese). The Rosa di Nero and Magaria Rosso also proved extremely popular, so much so that the demand for the Magaria Rosso (Nero d'Avola/Cabernet) has cleaned us out! Back in stock soon.

To finish the evening we broke out the Albana di Romagna Passito, another great reaction from our ever discerning customers. An excellent combination with Janies' Meringue with frangipan and winter fruit compote. A lot of wine for £14.95 and drinking beautifully now. Perfect for Christmas and New Year.

Always fantastic to see so many old and new faces. Thanks also must go to all of the staff who helped to create such a wonderful evening, not least Mark 'Swifthands' Bamford (KP)!

Don't forget, top up for the Party Season with Ricco, join us for one of our FREE tastings this December; Saturday 8th, 15th and 22nd, 10am - 6pm.

Short of time? We can deliver or dispatch any order. Free Local Delivery.

Need advice for food/wine matching? Come and see us at the shop.

Thanks again everyone,

Salute'!

STOP PRESS

Coming soon: 'Capotesta Rosso', the best Primitivo we have tasted in a good while. Another hit from Angelo at Cantine Paradiso - this is certainly a wine to stock up on. Drinking now, but will age for several years. 

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!