Ripasso hits 90!

The "smorfia napoletana" (system of associating images from dreams with numbers to use in the lottery) makes a link between fear, "paura", and the number 90. In Monte del Fra' however that couldn't be further from the truth -- 90 is more than welcome! Wine Spectator recently awarded the Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso 2009 from Tenuta Lena di Mezzo with 90 points. Another great result for the Bonomo family and the area of Fumane which continues to be recognised as one of the areas with the highest quality of wines in the whole of the Valpolicella Classica region. Vines grow amongst chalky soils and forests through which the Lena stream flows. The setting has a wild and fresh feel about it and the breezes from Lake Garda and the Lessinia hills give night-time temperatures the freshness they need to ensure grapes here mature slowly and maintain their quality until harvest. Demand for Ripasso has taken off over recent years and the Bonomo family has worked hard to ensure that their product continues to reflect the winemaking tradition of the area. Wine Spectator was impressed with the fruitiness and spiciness of the wine and confirmed that this wine can be aged. They recommend in fact storing it up to 2019.

Photo: 90 points.

Vinum heralds Cà del Magro and one of the best wines of Garda.

Vinum, the European wine magazine founded in Switzerland in 1980, which also produces editions in France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain and Austria, constantly works to keep Italian wines and regions in its headlines. Recently, the magazine chose to focus on the area of Lake Garda, selecting 10 Top wines from the region. The Custoza Cà del Magro 2010 was one of these! Selected for its harmony and fruit, Cà del Magro confirmed its status as one of the benchmarks of white wines made in the area near the shores of Lake Garda. The Bonomo family is very happy with the result, especially Marica who has followed the production of this wine closely ensuring it is recognised for the high quality standards Monte del Fra' practices from the vineyard to the cellars.

Vini Buoni d'Italia take time to visit Monte del Frà

There's nothing better to relax than half a day in a winery! This part of the year is when the tasting panels of Italy's guidebooks are hard at work carry out their tastings for the forthcoming editions. Of these, the only guided dedicated to indigenous grape varieties is the Vini Buoni d'Italia by Touring Editore. The guide is one of the most important guides in Italy in terms of copies sold and forms part of the promotion of Italy and its culture carried out by " Touring Club Italiano" (what can only be called an institution in Italy). The guide is edited nationally by Mario Busso and has on many occasions already awarded Monte del Fra with the prestigious "Corona" award given to only the best wines in Italy. During the tastings covering wines in the Valpolicella appellation held at the appellation's consortium in San Floriano, the regional coordinator for the Veneto region, Bernardo Pasquali, and his team of tasters was invited to spend an afternoon in the cellar. Here the panel including Alessandro Scorsone (Sommelier and wine manager for the President of Italy), Sara Vani (Sommelier from Rome), Paolo Ianna (regional coordinator for Fruili Venezia Giulia), Sofia BIancolin (President of the Sommelier Association in Germany), Beppe Giuliano (director of wine magazine Euposia) and Patricia Guy (American wine writer and journalist) had the opportunity to relax in the beautiful Emotional Room and chat about life and wine! The members of the panel were very impressed with the new Custoza Cà del Magro and complimented the freshness of the fruity aromas and the complexity of the bouquet.

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