|
One of the most important events in the world
is being hosted in Italy from May to the end of
October this year. It is the
Universal Exposition
where over 140 countries show the best of their
technology to provide answers to the need to
guarantee healthy, safe and sufficient food for
everyone while respecting the planet and its
equilibrium. With Milan having been chosen as
the host city, Italy chose the central theme of
Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.
Over the six months Expo Milano 2015 will
welcome more than 20 million visitors to its
enormous exhibition area. In June I was lucky to
be one of them, visiting with a group of my
fellow Cavalieri del Lavoro (the Italian Order
of Merit for Industrialists). It made me so
proud that I am Italian and inspired me to
celebrate the great honour of this Expo by
sharing with you my Italian Collection wines.
|
|
They are made from the two most important
Italian grape cultivars that are associated with
great Italian wines - nebbiolo from Piedmont and
sangiovese from Tuscany. Since 2006 I have
produced at Morgenster wines made from these
cultivars but I add to them the African sun and
the magical terroir of Morgenster.
|
Nebbiolo is the most noble of Italian grape
varieties. It means "little fog" to describe the
autumn and winter fog that covers most of
Piedmont. It was that same fog that led me to
buy Morgenster to escape to some sunshine in
January and February when the nebbia in Piedmont
is at its worst.
Sangiovese is the backbone of the renaissance
of quality Italian wines called Super Tuscans
where it is blended with the noble Bordeaux
varieties of cabernet sauvignon and merlot. My
friend Michael Fridjohn says: "Super Tuscans are
the logical evolution of the great sangiovese-based
wines of Italy. Chianti classico was never pure
sangiovese. However, with the thoughtful use of
varieties like cabernet (instead of the more
traditional trebbiano and canaiolo), what used
to be an often rustic accompaniment to Tuscan
cuisine has entered the realms of vinous
greatness." These wines have unique character
and my love for them developed because I have
been lucky to sample many of the best examples.
Now I am able with Henry to influence the
production of wines in the Italian style, from
Morgenster.
So I am celebrating Expo Milano 2015 for the
next four months till the end of December by
offering you my
three bottle or
six bottle presentation
packs covering 2011 Nabucco, 2011
Tosca and 2015 Caruso.
We will celebrate in different ways these
cultivars that represent my roots, my love for
wine and the reason why I retired to South
Africa. We commemorate 40 years since when this
Italian first travelled to South Africa and fell
in love with the country.
Judi is very excited about my idea and
because she loves ice cream as well as my Super
Tuscan wines she has commissioned an ice cream
made with Tosca. I let her tell you about it
herself.
Our spring baby will be a little late - to
keep you up-to-date on the opening of "95
At Morgenster", I tell you only
"soon",
hopefully "very soon", we will be open. I
promise to send you a note when we have the
exact date ...
Till next time,
|
