An Afternoon of Italian Wine

When: Saturday, September 26
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Six wines, three regions, one common thread: soil that does the talking. This Saturday we're pouring through the Le Storie Imports portfolio, starting with a bone-dry Franciacorta named for the fossils buried in its vineyard, moving through Jacopo Biondi Santi's Maremma Sangiovese, and finishing with three wines from Talestri's basalt-streaked hillside in the Veneto, Valpolicella, Ripasso, and a cellar-worthy Amarone.

Hosted by Tim, our Italian buyer, and the team from Le Storie Wines, this is a chance to taste how differently the same grapes and the same country can show up depending on what's underneath the vines.

The Wines

Camilucci "Ammonites" Dosaggio Zero Franciacorta DOCG, NV — #93106 — $36.99
Named for the fossils in the soils of Erbusco, this zero-dosage sparkler from the Camilucci estate is bone-dry, drawing wildflower, stone-dust, and citrus notes from a classic Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco blend. A bright, mineral opener for the tasting.

Castello di Montepò Maremma Rosato Toscana IGT, 2025 — #104939 — $24.99
Jacopo Biondi Santi's Maremma rosato, made from the family's own Sangiovese Grosso clone, pressed off the skins for a pale copper hue. Expect strawberry, raspberry, and white flowers with a spicy, well-balanced finish, a warm-weather rosé with real structure behind it.

Castello di Montepò Maremma "Sassoalloro" Toscana IGT, 2024 — #104940 — $24.99
The estate's flagship red and a pure expression of Sangiovese Grosso, aged in French barrique. Ruby red with violet edges, it's warm and enveloping, layering wild berry and violet against soft tannins and a touch of spice.

Talestri — Valpolicella, Veneto

Talestri Valpolicella Superiore DOCG, 2020 — #105096 — $26.99
From sisters Lisa and Francesca Marcato's volcanic hillside vineyards east of Verona, a Corvina-led red with the region's signature cherry and violet character, lifted by the estate's unusual basalt-flecked soils.

Talestri Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOCG, 2020 — #105097 — $31.99
Re-fermented on Amarone skins for extra depth, this Ripasso earned 91 points from Decanter, praised for its rich plum, cherry, floral, and herbal character, framed by firm tannins and a long, savory finish.

Talestri Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, 2016 — #105098 — $67.99
From a celebrated Amarone vintage, this dried-grape red from Talestri's volcanic San Briccio hillside is built for the cellar, concentrated dark cherry and raisin fruit, gentle sweetness, and the long, warming finish the style is known for.