Trung H Nguyen
Trung H Nguyen
Abruzzo is a peaceful and marvelous place with kind and generous people. Last month we visited Abruzzo for a couple days and had a marvelous time. The first night, we had dinner at La Bandiera with our local friend Stefano and his wife Eloisa. While we were chatting and drinking a 2011 Valentini Trebbiano, a quiet gentleman stopped by our table and say Hi to us. I was in shock when Stefano told me that the gentleman is Francesco Valentini.
It just happened that Francesco was coming to La Bandiera for dinner with his family and Stefano is his good friend. My second shock of the night was when the Sommelier, Alessio, came to our table with a bottle and told us that Francesco would like us to taste his 1967 Trebbiano. Alessio came back again later on and this time Francesco offered us his 1974 Motepulciano d'Abruzzo.
I was completely speechless in front of the kindness of a legendary Vigneron such as Francesco Valentini.
The next day Stefano invited us to visit his family vineyard in Loreto Aprutino. Ten years ago, Stefano decided to leave his law practice in Bologna to become a vigneron in Abruzzo. Stefano renovates his wife's family farm/vineyard and starts bottling de Fermo wine. Stefano applies biodynamic principles to his vineyards.
Stefano 2011 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo was just gorgeous. I asked Stefano what did Francesco Valentini thought about your 2011 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo. Stefano told me: "When Francesco tasted my wine his facial expression became serious and that made me very nervous because Francesco can be critical at time. Then Francesco quietly said to me: "Stefano, when I drink your wine with my eyes closed, I thought that I'm drinking my own wine." and I had tears come down my eyes...
On our way to our next stop Torano Nuovo, we stopped by a seaside restaurant, Il Palmizio, that Stefano recommended for fresh sea food. At that restaurant you can drink the Valentini Trebbiano and Montepulciano for respectively 12 and 20 per 0.75l carafe. When Valentini thinks that the wine is not up to his perfectionist standard for bottling, Valentini would sell the Sfurso or un-bottle wine in bulk to his lucky friends and restaurants.
Our next stop, Emidio Pepe agriturismo, is located near the beautiful and peaceful town of Torano Nuova. The view from EP place is stunning, with the town on the other hill and the Montepulciano old vines vineyard for the Riseva in front of the EP complex. The regular Montepulciano are from different vineyards.
I was happy to have finally met Mr. Emidio Pepe and the Pepe family. Mr. Emidio Pepe is very proud that his 1974 Trebbiano is still golden color.
Abruzzo is so peaceful and beautiful and the Vignerons are so warm and kind.
The next day Stefano invited us to visit his family vineyard in Loreto Aprutino. Ten years ago, Stefano decided to leave his law practice in Bologna to become a vigneron in Abruzzo. Stefano renovates his wife's family farm/vineyard and starts bottling de Fermo wine. Stefano applies biodynamic principles to his vineyards.
On our way to our next stop Torano Nuovo, we stopped by a seaside restaurant, Il Palmizio, that Stefano recommended for fresh sea food. At that restaurant you can drink the Valentini Trebbiano and Montepulciano for respectively 12 and 20 per 0.75l carafe. When Valentini thinks that the wine is not up to his perfectionist standard for bottling, Valentini would sell the Sfurso or un-bottle wine in bulk to his lucky friends and restaurants.
Our next stop, Emidio Pepe agriturismo, is located near the beautiful and peaceful town of Torano Nuova. The view from EP place is stunning, with the town on the other hill and the Montepulciano old vines vineyard for the Riseva in front of the EP complex. The regular Montepulciano are from different vineyards.
