WINE COMMENTARY
WINES FROM SAN MARINO?: BET ON IT! - March 30, 2008
The few times I've actually visited San Marino, the tiny principality that sits peacefully in the Appenine mountains in north-central Italy between the Marche and Romagna, I've not had the occasion to sample the local wine. O.K. Perhaps I've had the occasion but opted for something more known, more safe, more "it's been a long day and I'm not in the mood for trying the local winery's new experiment". But alas, I recently received samples of several wines from the Consorzio Vini Tipici di San Marino. Founded in 1979, the consorzio is comprised of 200 grower-members who tend to 130 hectares of vine and market the wines using a common set of labels. Local varieties are put to work, including a clone of ribolla that yields tremendous results. These are fruit driven reds with ample body and heightened red-fruit tones and minerally, citrus laden whites that hold their own against their more heralded neighbors in Tuscany and the Veneto. Given their relative obscurity they will provide outstanding value to consumers that seek them out. The Roncale bianco and Tessano stand out. Reviews Inside!
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