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Mission Codename: 100 Percent Authentic

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Visit Italy’s Abruzzi and acquire an exclusive Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for our operatives

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Azienda Agricola Centorame

Wine Subject: 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C.

Winemaker: Lori Di Sabatino

Backgrounder:

The Abruzzi, located along the east-central is home to the Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C., perhaps the region’s finest wines. Generally made with the Montepulciano grape with the allowed addition of up to 15% Sangiovese the wines come in two styles, one, like this one, are deep rich and round, and the other tends to be more tannic and firm. The vineyards in the rolling hills above the coastal plain (where most of the mass-produced wines are made) offers a distinct soil and climate capable of top-shelf wine.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Beautifully dark purple with deep ruby red hues that grace the edges and barely shine through in its dense but clear heart. When swirled, slow and evenly spaced color stained legs ring the glass.

Smell – Rich and ripe aromas or black cherry, red plum and other ripe dark fruit blend with soft savory herbs and sweet spice. Add in notes of earth, floral violets and mocha coffee for an invitation to take a sip.

Feel – This full-bodied dry wine has silky smooth and round tannins and soft acidity leading to an expansive and almost chewy feel on the palate.

Taste – Plenty of dark fruit, but slightly more restrained than the nose would otherwise indicate, with black cherry, red plum and blackberry folded into a soft earthy and toasted oak frame. Complex notes of mocha coffee, sweet spice, savory green herbs and the slightly hint of licorice add to the experience.

Finish – Long and lingering with earthy ripe fruit leading the way as the soft texture gently fades with a slightly drying of the palate begging for another sip.

Conclusion – The 2008 Centorame Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C. is a delicious wine that showcases the round and ripe character for which the region is best known. A pleasant nose soft round mouth-feel, rich and ripe fruit flavors makes this a perfect wine to pair with milder game meats, baked tomato sauce pastas or a hearty bolognese. Enjoy this wine tonight or for the next five to seven years.

Mission Report:

WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER

SUBJECT: Lori Di Sabatino

WINE EDUCATION: A graduate in Oenology

WINE JOB BRIEF: We work exclusively and do not purchase our grapes from other wine companies.Each wine is made from its own vineyards, and we are the only indigenous grapes.

WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Vinify our grapes respecting the fruit without upsetting those who are the aromas of the grape that we are making wine, and without using special yeasts or invasive, but not always are made vinification with temperature control in fermentation and long maceration on the skins on red (even 40 days).

FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: Centorame Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Doc 2002 out in April 2003

WINEMAKER INTERVIEW

AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Lori. We are thrilled to be showing your 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo D.O.C. today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.

LORI: Thank you for featuring our delicious 2008 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo!

WHITE: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?

LORI: We have the vineyards since 1987 and always to sell their grapes to other wineries until I decided at age 23 in 2001 to experiment with winemaking at home even when you buy two barrels used. It turned out a great product even on a good vintage and from there the following year in 2002 decided to start thinking big.

WHITE: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?

LORI: I consider myself fortunate because I did not have any influence in the sense that I did not experience at any store so I created my own method of work that is just my belief and I work as a distinguishing otherwise I would have been learned. As for the wines I seek elegance are then influenced by the great elegant wines.

WHITE: Who do you make wine for?

LORI: I had a small company that produces only 85,000 bottles a year I produce my wines in my interpretation of that grape. I do not run behind fashion, trends, etc.. produces primarily for the wines before me as I want them to be and then offer them to consumers trying to convey what the wine to the crowd.

WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.

LORI: The Centorame Montepulciano Montepulciano I call it a Genuine. Genuine because it is vinified in the traditional manner, powerful tannins, not aged in wood, and although it is a wine company based remote annni becomes a fabulous wine. Pleasant is not as challenging as it could be a Montepulciano and rich fruit of his vine (amarasca, plum, cherry).

WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?

LORI: Surely the veal on the grill.

WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Abruzzi so special?

LORI: The location in the heart of Italy, we are at 15 km from the sea and 50 from the Gran Sasso Mountain. The food we eat really well and so genuine. And even the sea is beautiful

WHITE: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?

LORI: These days we are preparing for the event “Open Cellars” in the day Saturday, May 28 will open its doors to visitors, and show with work in the vineyard and winery. And in the evening there will be lots of music and wine tasting events.

WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?

LORI: Council always try wines that reflect the characteristics of the variety of origin and not pimps and some wines designed desk, approved wines that seem to grape juice but sometimes can be a little ‘rustic’.

WHITE: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The approximate location of Centorame can be seen in this satellite photo.