Category Archives: Newsletter Archive

Thursday Vinopolpick-Thanksgiving

November 28, 2013
Beautiful Monforte D’Alba vineyards, where the Conterno story began
The story of  Conterno wines is one of a long established family history, and of two brothers who elevated Barolo to what it is today; but, each in their very own way. In 1969, Aldo and Giovanni Conterno changed Barolo’s future when these two sons of Giacomo Conterno decided to go their separate ways, creating two domaines when before there had been one. Both of the brothers are gone from the world now, Giovanni passing away in 2004, and Aldo more recently in 2012, but the impressions they made on the world of Barolo are unmatched. 

Conterno Family Tree

The Conternos have a long history of winemaking in Italy, going farther back than can be recorded and spanning many locales.
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Vinopolis November 25 Newsletter

November 25, 2013

Jump Start Sale

Cerbaiona di Diego Molinari Brunello di Montalcino 2005 ($149.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni – Vinous 93+ points “Succulent red cherries, dried roses, violets, tar and spices are some of the many notes that are woven together in the 2008 Brunello di Montalcino. Intensely perfumed, the 2008 shows many of the classic Cerbaiona signatures, even if it is a touch less polished than some of the recent vintages. At the same time, the 2008 has come together nicely over the last few years, so it will be interesting to watch what happens with further time in bottle. Dried rose petals and spices add complexity to the subtle, layered flavors. This is one of the stronger wines of the year.”… Read the rest

Vinopolpick Weekend – November 22

November 22, 2013

Barbaresco

The Nebbiolo grape is considered by many to be a native species to the Langhe sub-region of Piedmont.   There, the grape yields two world-class wines, Barbaresco and Barolo, but yet is practically inseparable from its home terroir around the Langhe.  Attempts to grow it elsewhere are rarely successful and do not yield the same level of power or complexity.  The phylloxera devastation encouraged many grape-growers throughout the Langhe to replant with easier to grow and vinify varieties such as Dolcetto and Barbera.  Today, less than 10% of vineyards in the Langhe are planted with Nebbiolo.  But, those grape-growers that choose to take the risk and grow this finicky and late-ripening grape on their prime sites are rewarded with wines having rich tannic structure, hauntingly beautiful aromas and decades of potential aging.
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Thursday Vinopolpick- November 21

 November 21, 2013


Champagne’s King of Chardonnay

The Pierre Péters Champagne bottlings are regularly rated by critics as “outstanding” and are universally considered one of the top growers in Champagne. Founded in 1919 under the name Camille Péters, the Pierre Peters estate was one of the first growers in Champagne to start bottling and selling wine under their own label, and by 1929 became a full Récoltant-Manipulant, managing every step in their champagne’s prodution from vineyard to bottle.  By 1944, Camille’s son Pierre had taken over and renamed the domaine, increasing production and vineyard holdings and focusing on foreign markets. Pierre’s son François began managing the estate in 1967, further expanding the domaine and increasing export sales in the US.
Rodolphe Péters, Francois’ son, took over the reins of this venerable estate in the southern Côte des Blancs in 2008, becoming the fourth generation to lead the estate.
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