Vineyard VIEW: Tasting the Wide World of Wine in Leesburg

Vineyard VIEW: Tasting the Wide World of Wine in Leesburg

By Peter Leonard-Morgan

Giacomo Galimberti, co-owner of Gvino Enoteca Fine Wines, in Leesburg’s Market Station.

Photo by Peter Leonard-Morgan

Stepping into the recently established Gvino Enoteca Fine Wines in Leesburg’s Market Station, one immediately feels the sensation of having been magically transported to the beautiful Lombardy region of Italy, home of its co-founder, Giacomo Galimberti.

Giacomo grew up by Lake Como, and together with his wife, Kristen, a Loudoun County native, dreamed of opening a specialist wine shop. The store’s name is derived from Giacomo’s initial and, of course, the Italian for wine—as in vino—plus Enoteca which, literally translated, means wine library, a widely used term in Giacomo’s homeland for a place to browse, enjoy tastings and purchase fine wines.

The adventure began when Giacomo, who had worked in far-flung places including London, Dubai and Copenhagen, was transferred to Washington’s Cafe Milano as its certified sommelier in 2017. Fortuitously invited to a concert by friends, Giacomo met his bride-to-be, Kristen MacCormack, and the seed of an idea grew into their new venture. It opened this past September 10.

Giacomo expertly selects wines from around the world, and at all price points, which are elegantly displayed. Customers receive a warm welcome walking in the door, and are invited to sign up for regular emails announcing special tasting events and other happenings. Conveniently, Gvino Enoteca is open for walk-in tastings on Fridays and Saturdays between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., an ideal way to discover new and different wines to suit specific tastes and preferences.

There’s nothing better than discovering special foods to accompany good wine. That’s why Giacomo and Kristen sought out a quality supplier of traditional Italian meats to offer their customers. That search resulted in a relationship with Richmond-based Terra Di Siena, which proudly offers “flavors of the old world brought to your front door.” In this case, to Gvino Enoteca.

A recent tasting experience consisted of four excellent wines, ranging from $17 to $22.

It began with an absolutely delightful 2020 Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi, one of this writer’s favorite white wines. Estate grown and bottled, and only permitted to be called Gavi if grown in a vineyard within the Gavi commune, Piemonte, the Cortese grape results in a wine with lovely balance and acidity. The bottle is a work of art in itself.

Next up was the first of three reds, a 2019 Fidelity by Nick Goldshmidt, Alexander Valley, Sonoma California. This bright, structured blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc presents aromas of fresh blueberries and cherry.

The third wine was a wonderful 2019 Condado De Haza “Vino Tinto” from Spain’s Ribera del Duero Denominación. This full-bodied red is made with the Tempranillo grape, and aged under malolactic fermentation in American oak barrels. Hints of licorice were detected and quite pleasant.

Last, an Italian wine in a beautiful bottle—a 2019 Lu Rappaio from the Masca Del Tacco winery, in the Pugliese Primitivo di Manduria viticultural area, founded in 1949. This full-bodied and intense red wine exhibits aromas of berries and spices and would be a wonderful accompaniment to a good steak.

Stop by Gvino Enoteca on a Friday or Saturday to enjoy a tasting, or set up a personal tasting event with a group of friends. There’s nothing quite like it.

Gvino Enoteca is located at 203 B Harrison Street SE, Leesburg