Comments on: Obama’s gift to Berlusconi: new American wine in old floorboards

By: Kipp Bodnar

Kipp Bodnar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:24:11 +0000

Having recently reviewed the 08 vermentino, though we haven’t published it yet, I have to say it is a great wine. One of the best US white wines I have had and heads above most NC whites.

The folks at Raffaldini are doing a good job, this is one worth seeking out.

By: Benson Marketing Group

Benson Marketing Group — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 21:39:17 +0000

In answer to your question Tim D., Obama also gave a bottle of Octagon 2005 from Barboursville Vineyards. This is a Bordeaux style red from the Virginia property owned by Gianni Zonin. Coincidentally, Berlusconi gave Obama and other heads of state (including Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel) a bottle Castello d’Albola Acciaiolo 2004, a supertuscan from Castello d’Albola, which is a Chianti classico estate also owned by Gianni Zonin. Octagon won a gold medal at the Monticello Winegrower’s Competition in 2007 and Acciaiolo was chosen as a symbol of excellence, having won Tre Bicchieri for the 2004 vintage. Gianni Zonin purchased Barboursville in 1976 and defied all advice to plant tobacco by planting vines instead. Today there are over 100 vineyards in the area. And he purchased Castello d’Albola in 1979, at a time when the “smart money” was not interested in Chianti. Sometimes it’s good to follow your own instincts.

Benson Marketing Group is the PR agency representing the Zonin family and estates here in the US and we just wanted to share this fun connection with you all!

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:47:41 +0000

But did the Italians actually drink any of it? The whole floorboards thing would have turned me right off.

By: David J

David J — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 04:10:23 +0000

Dr.TC/V–
visited Raffaldini two years ago next month- I *think* I tasted & bought the ’06?

‘As for the Vermentino, its refreshing but light, lemon zest & citron notes made me wish I’d saved it to pair with some seafood after I got back home.’

Not to toot my horn too loudly, here’s a direct link to my post on visiting the area…
http://vinomadic.blogspot.com/2007/08/catch-up.html

By: Tim D

Tim D — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:35:23 +0000

Congrats to Raffaldini!

I’m curious to know what the other American wines were that were presented to President Napolitano as mentioned in the video. I can’t find any info online about it at all.

By: Anderson

Anderson — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:38:43 +0000

Glad to see some NC wines getting some press. Tasted this three years ago in Blowing Rock and was very pleasantly surprised. Been buying it at Harris Teeter ever since.

By: Jeff Siegel

Jeff Siegel — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 18:07:29 +0000

Drink Local Wine! If it’s good enough for the Italians….

By: Dylan

Dylan — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:07:05 +0000

Congratulations, Thomas. That’s truly admirable to have your wine representing as a gift from American soil.

By: Franco Ziliani

Franco Ziliani — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 05:18:28 +0000

Thanks for this interesting news Tyler! I propose this news also in my Italian wine blog Vino al Vino
the link is here:
http://vinoalvino.org/blog/2009/07/e-obama-porto-il-vermentino-from-north-carolina-not-sardinia-a-silvio%e2%80%a6.html

By: Steve Edmunds

Steve Edmunds — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:13:17 +0000

From one Vermentino producer to another: congratulations! The Great Vermentino Conspiracy has made even greater inroads than I suspected!
best
Steve Edmunds
Edmunds St. John

By: Thomas

Thomas — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:10:30 +0000

Dr. Vino,

We sold out of 2007 Vermentino today. The 2008 vintage, that was included in the gift, will be released in early-to-mid August.

Thomas

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:52:41 +0000

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for stopping by and congratulations on having your wine selected to represent America.

Yes, I did notice that error earlier in the day and made an update to the post. I had placed it below the video so now moved it above so that others can see it more easily.

Any tips on where people could find that 07 Vermentino if they wanted it? I see it is sold out on your winery’s web site.

Cheers,

By: Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:34:49 +0000

Hi Dr. Vino,

Thanks for the mention. We are indeed honored to have been a part of such a unique and special opportunity.

The gift actually went to Italy’s president, Giorgio Napolitano, although the video shows Mr. Berlusconi. President Napolitano’s role is largely ceremonial, but important to the country nonetheless.

Cheers,
Thomas

By: Sharon

Sharon — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 15:13:33 +0000

Sounds fishy to me! Sharon

By: Dr. Vino

Dr. Vino — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:49:54 +0000

Yes, props to NC! I would be curious to try the wine.