Banfi Pours at the 3rd Corner-Will be the Top Stop in Taste of Wine Tour of Tuscany

by Frank Mangio

The wine glasses were being toasted high and loud recently at the 3rd Corner Wine Shop & Bistro in Encinitas. Not only was there a classic lineup of Castello Banfi Chianti Classico, Super Tuscan Blends and a 4 course menu especially created for the occasion by the 3rd Corner Executive Chef Lincoln Williams; it also kicked off the news of a special, personal tour of great Tuscan wineries that I will lead October 7th to the 10th of this year.

I have teamed up with Banfi, the Mazzei Winery, Celebrity Cruise Lines and Vineyard Travel in Escondido for a round- trip Rome to Rome 10 day Mediterranean Cruise with on-board wine events from October 10th to the 20th. Ports of call include Naples, Messina Sicily, Mykonos, Santorini, other Greek Islands and Kusadasi, Turkey.

The 3rd Corner Encinitas Executive Chef Lincoln Williams and Banfi Wines Representative Diane Cappetta Nares

Prior to the cruise, our privileged group will set out 3 days earlier and enjoy hotels,transfers, rustic breakfasts, lunches and dinners in the wine country of Tuscany. It will include castles, wine tastings with extensive winery tours in Montalcino and Castellina, an Italian cooking class and an ancient glass museum.

There is no other place on earth like the sun-kissed hills of beautiful Tuscany. I know, I have walked the hills and felt the joy of life in this wine country. I have carefully chosen Mazzei with its legendary Fonterutoli and Banfi with its Brunello Di Montalcino wines as excellence in a bottle. The wineries are known worldwide for their graciousness and hospitality.

Italy is the largest importer of wine into the U.S. and makes roughly 20% of all the wine in the world. All 20 regions of this amazing country, from Sicily to the Alps, offer high quality old world wines from some 3,000 different grape varietals.

Other master-produced wines include: Gaja Barbaresco, Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio, Pio Casare Barolo, Bertani Amerone della Valpolicella Classico, Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico, Marchesi Antinori Tignanello, Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, Tenuta dell’ Ornellaia and Planeta Santa Cecilia.

That is an unforgettable Italian wine journey and we get to sample the heart, in Tuscany. Complete details are at www.vineyardtravel.net. Enter offer #676757. Or call Rosemary Nigro at 800-359-3772.

Wine Bytes

A Cupid Wine Party is planned for Fri. Feb. 11 from 6 to 9pm at Bacchus Wine Market in the Gaslamp downtown San Diego. Appetizers, deserts and plenty of wines on hand for the party. $25. cost. Call 619-236-0005.

La Costa Wine Company has an Italian Tasting on Fri. Feb. 11 from 5 to 8:30pm. For $20. pp., taste 5 great Italian varietals including the ’07 Oreno awarded 95 points. New are “Wine Wednesdays” …a three wine flight for just $10. Details at 760-431-8455.

Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas is planning a Bordeaux night on Fri. Feb. 11 from 6 – 8pm. Call the shop at 760-479-2500 for brands and varietals.

Orfila Vineyards and Winery in Escondido has a special Valentines Day concert in the vines, Sun. Feb. 13. $20. ea. or $35. per couple. Includes a welcome glass of sparkling Moscato. Check for times and tickets at 877-727-9463.

San Diego State University’s next wine class starts Tues. Feb. 15 from 6 – 9pm. Advance sommelier Lisa Redwine teaches “Exploring Wine.” Call 619-594-6924 for more.

San Clemente Wine Company has a Cheese and Wine Pairing Class with Starr Cornwall on Wed. Feb. 16 from 6:30 to 7:30pm. 5 wines, chocolate, cheeses and educational materials are included for $35. To learn more, call 949-429-7067.

Banfi Honored as Italy's Top Winery

by Frank Mangio
Castello Banfi, the anchor to the worldwide Banfi Vintners, has been honored again as Italy’s top winery at the annual VinItaly wine fair in Verona, Italy. An international panel, through rigorous blind wine tasting, awarded Banfi Italy’s “Gran Menzione,” the equivalent of the gold medal. It is the 12th time in 17 years that Castello Banfi has been declared Italy’s best winery.

Three generations of the Mariani Family have built Banfi Vintners into a world-wide name in imported wines, from the original Castello Banfi in Tuscany, to other properties in Europe, South America and the new Chateau Tanunda in Australia.

The founders of Banfi Vintners are ( front left to right)
John and Harry Mariani. Present family proprietors are ( upper left to right) Cristina Mariani-May and James Mariani.

The original winery was established in 1978 when John and Harry Mariani purchased 7,100 acres within several vineyards at the base of Montalcino, a medieval village rising 600 meters from the valley floor.

Brunello, a premium clone of the Sangiovse grape of Chianti fame, is their signature wine. The “Castello” is a Romanesqe fortress, masterfully restored as a hospitality center, formal restaurant, taverna, enoteca, glass museum and recently opened five star “ Il Borgo” villas, with luxury rooms and suites.

Names to know in the Banfi family of wines include: Rosa Regale, a festive sparkling wine from Piemonte, perfect as an aperitif when chilled; Don Melchor from Concho Y Toro, Chile’s ultimate Cabernet; and shown in the photo, the Banfi Brunello Di Montalcino, the 100% Sangiovese with a production process of nearly four years plus additional time in bottle before release. Currently the 2004 is available. Characteristics are: intense ruby red, velvety encounters, beautifully integrated tannins with traces of spice. This was the first wine to achieve the ultimate Italian standard of “DOCG” status. Priced at $60. in a majority of wine shops.

Despite hard times for wines (the largest wine distributing company in the world just reported a sales drop of nearly 4% last quarter), Italian wines are up so far this year, with Sangiovese up a whopping 13.8%. Italy beat the other leading U.S. imports by a wide margin. It bodes well for Banfi, especially when wines priced $20. and above showed solid growth in dollar sales and volume. See more at www.banfivintners.com.

Spirits Festival Comes to San Diego June 2-5
If at first you succeed, make it even better next time. Liz Edwards of “Let’s Play Downtown” has San Diego waiting for her 2nd annual San Diego Spirits Festival Wednesday June 2 to Friday June 5. The location is the Hilton San Diego Bayfront next to the Convention Center, with the Grand Tasting Friday on the 4 plus acre Waterfront Park next door. Right now there is a call for exhibitors who are related to the beverage industry, and media alliances are being formed daily. Seminars and competitive tastings are firmed up.

You can get the latest up to date information on this exciting event by tapping into www.sandiegospiritsfestival.com. To speak with the director, call 858-551-1605.

Wine Bytes
Live Jazz and Wine is the feature attracting crowds at WineStyles Wine Lounge in Encinitas with Suzanna Kurner playing Fri. Apr. 23 from 6 to 8:30pm. Wines by the glass or flight, plus pizzas, paninis or cheeses available, from $15. Also live music on Sat. 7 to 9:30pm. Call 760-633-0057.

§ VR Green Farms at Bella Collina Towne and Golf Club in San Clemente is hosting a Sapore Della Domenica (“Flavor of Sunday”) Italian celebration Sun. Apr. 25 from 2 to 6pm. Italian cultural dishes, wine, artisan bread, olive oil, honey and fava bean tasting. Live music, a car rally and artisans. Now that’s Italian! Limited seating at $ 50. pp. Tickets ordered at www.vrgreenfarms.com. Or call 949-697-0032.

§ Firefly Grill and Wine bar in Encinitas is planning a Pahlmeyer Vineyards Wine Dinner on Tues. Apr. 27 starting at 6:30pm. Enjoy this Napa-Sonoma powerhouse and its ’06 Pinot Noir, Merlot, Pahlmeyer Red Blend and other winners. Main course is Braised Beef Cheek from Executive Chef Aaron Daily. These are top tier wines in their prime. $75. ea. RSVP at 760-635-1066.

§ Opolo of Paso Robles is spotlighted at The Wine Encounter in the Hillcrest area of San Diego Tues. Apr. 27 from 7 to 9pm. Cost is $15. For more, call 619-543-9463.

§ The Four Seasons, Aviara Carlsbad, is presenting an Orin Swift Cellars Wine Dinner Thurs. Apr. 29 at 6:30pm. These highly sought after wines will be presented by Orin Swift family member Melissa Leonardini, along with a perfectly paired dinner. $121.91 pp. Call 760-603-6800 for an RSVP.