Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/376390
62 / the tasting panel / september 2014 BRAND PROFILE K nown as "the Green Heart of Italy," Umbria is the only one of Italy's twenty regions that does not touch the sea. While its wines have similarities to those of neighboring Tuscany, they are far less famous. One winery is striving to change the perception—and reception—of Umbrian wine by concentrating on the region's indigenous grape varieties, including the white Grechetto and Umbria's signature red, Sagrantino. The Goretti Winery has been operated for six generations by the Goretti family and is based in a 12th-century castle on the outskirts of Perugia, Umbria's capital. Sara Goretti, who acts as worldwide brand ambassador for the family's wines, recently met THE TASTING PANEL at Il Fornaio in Los Angeles to present their current line-up, which has been imported by Terlato Wines since last year. "We want to distinguish ourselves by concentrating on indigenous Umbrian varieties for our initial wines in the U.S. market," says Goretti. The tactic is working. The beautiful, food-friendly Grechetto, from a grape believed to have originated in Greece, is proving a hit as a by-the-glass pour at Il Fornaio locations nationwide. "This Grechetto shows deep and elegant color with notes of pineapple, banana, yellow peach, Scotch broom flowers and almonds," says Giovanni Salatino, Associate GM at Il Fornaio in Manhattan Beach; he calls it "rich and velvety with a marked finesse and personality." As an aid to service, the word Goretti printed at the bottom of the label turns pink when the wine is at ideal drinking temperature; white indicates too warm and red indicates too cold. The two Goretti reds currently imported— a chewy Montefalco Rosso DOC and the distinctive Sagrantino di Montefalco DOGC—are made at the family's property in Montefalco, southeast of Perugia, known as Le Mura Saracene after the nearby Saracen ruins that inspired the labels. Both reds enjoy extra aging in barrique and in bottle before release, allowing their substantial tannin structure to mellow and bringing it into balance with fruit and acidity. The Sagrantino, from the 2007 vintage, showed personality with medium body and engaging flavors of black fruit and earth. Sara Goretti is thrilled with her family's relationship with Terlato and has a special affection for the company's legendary patri- arch, Anthony Terlato: "He's like my grand- father," she says. With Terlato's support, Goretti's offerings are serious contenders for any contemporary Italian wine list. New Sun on Umbria Goretti Grechetto, served by the glass at all Il Fornaio locations, is fresh, lively and laced with minerality. Using special technology, the word Goretti printed at the bottom of the label turns pink when the wine is at ideal drinking temperature. NOW ALLIED WITH TERLATO WINES, GORETTI WINERY BRINGS ITS UMBRIAN OFFERINGS TO NEW MARKETS by David Gadd Sara Goretti with Giovanni Salatino, Associate General Manager of Il Fornaio in Manhattan Beach, CA. The terroir- driven Goretti Sagrantino di Montefalco DOGC sees extra aging in barrique and in bottle before release. PHOTO: DAVID GADD PHOTO: DAVID GADD C M Y CM MY CY CMY K