EDITORIAL
To Our Relationships
Michael Lutzmann and Greg Rinehart, Opimian Managing Directors
Throughout our Opimian experience, beginning with becoming Members, volunteering for the organization, and now as your Managing Directors, we have always valued the relationships first and foremost. We have both had the pleasure of developing friendships with fellow Members, producers, Board Members and staff.
I PÀSTINI.............................................................................................................. P4 OPIMIAN SUGGESTS.................................................................................. P6 COUPS DE COEUR....................................................................................... P9 PUGLIA................................................................................................................ P10 NEW Paolo Leo..............................................................................................P12 The Wine People..........................................................................................P13 Le Vigne di Sammarco.............................................................................P15 NEW CANTINA VALLE ISARCO........................................................ P20 VENETO..............................................................................................................P22 Giovanna Tantini..........................................................................................P23 Villa de Moreschi..........................................................................................P25 Antichello..........................................................................................................P26 TOP VALUE WINES................................................................................... P28 Montigoli.......................................................................................................... P30 Maso Maroni.....................................................................................................P31 PROSECCO.......................................................................................................P32 Azienda Agricola Paolo Zucchetto................................................ P34 NEW Villa Crespia...................................................................................... P38 DOMAINE ORENGA DE GAFFORY................................................P40 STEPP.................................................................................................................. P46 CELLAR UP!.................................................................................................... P50 COLLECTOR’S CORNER........................................................................P55
All of this was brought into sharp focus in our first visit to a wine region since our appointment (and, of course, since COVID-19 curtailed our travel). The major wine trade show, VinItaly, had us travelling to Verona in April to meet existing partners as well as seek new and interesting producers. We also took the opportunity of the trip to visit nearby winemakers at their cellar doors. We first found ourselves in the middle of Piedmont, home of Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera d’Asti, Nebbiolo d’Alba, and a region newly presented to you last year – Roero. We met the people and heard the stories that make being an Opimian Member both interesting and unique. Opimian partners welcomed us with food and wine that shines a light on the fabulous job that our Masters of Wine do for us. The quality of the wine and the passion of the winemakers were obvious, whether we were sitting at a kitchen table or visiting a fancy tasting room. It was then over to the Lake Garda region to visit Giovanna Tantini, maker of the most successful rosé Opimian has ever offered. Her description of the amount of work that goes into every bottle and glass had us captivated. Giovanna is back on page 23. Once the wine show was in full swing, we were able to meet with dozens of producers. As diverse as the Italian winemaking community is, the consistent message we heard was how important their relationship with the Opimian Membership is to them. The fact that they can rely on an order from us each year is an essential part of their business. Our time in Italy ended with a wine industry dinner at Villa Crespia. Made in Franciacorta, the spectacular sparkling wines from this producer are so popular in the northern half of Italy that less than 15% of production is exported globally. It is an honour that Italy’s most prestigious Franciacorta winemaker reached out to Opimian based on a recommendation from one of our other producers who told them about our ability to tell a wineries’ story. The general consensus in wine circles is that the best Franciacorta now rivals and even surpasses the best Champagne. In this issue, you’ll find the first of our two German producers, Gerd Stepp. Our other German producer, Alex Pflüger, will be back in your Cellar in late summer. It bears repeating that these relationships are important. By the time you read this, we’ll be en route to Prowein, the largest wine fair in the world, and will have met with even more Opimian producers.. It will be of no surprise to you that global supply chain issues have affected everything we buy. Wine is no different. The cost of boxes, labour and other inputs is rising. Many Italian producers are in a mad scramble this year as the horrors of war impact the local industry. Ukrainian wine bottle production has been halted. Producers sometimes even have to wait months for the essentials. Thank you for your patience as we work hard every day to keep your orders moving and the prices as stable as we can. Let’s all raise a glass to the relationships we all enjoy – wine-related or not. Michael & Greg
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CELLAR 296 — EDITORIAL
