Working Hard

Raj Parr on Charlie Magazine

Meredith over at Charlie Magazine just posted a great article on Raj so head over to www.readcharlie.com and check it out!

Giorgio Rivetti Winemaker at La Spinetta in Charleston one night only

Come join Giorgio Rivetti renowned winemaker of La Spinetta for a fantastic evening of amazing Italian wines and food @ Trattoria Lucca.

4 course dinner including wines for $78.00 plus tax & gratuity = SWEET DEAL!!!

This is the wine dinner you CAN'T miss! Seating is limited so please RSVP With Trattoria Lucca (843) 973-3323

http://www.la-spinetta.com/
http://luccacharleston.com/

About the Winemaker and Wine:

Giorgio Rivetti is a serious equestrian and amateur chef who also happens to be one of Italy’s best winemakers. Twenty years ago there were more than a handful of world class wine producers in Piedmont. Today the number is closer to one hundred, according to Giorgio Rivetti, scion of LA SPINETTA, one of the most acclaimed wineries in Piedmont, if not in all of Italy. Rivetti is the head winemaker at La Spinetta (named Winery of the year in 2001 by Gambero Rosso, Italy’s leading wine guide), where he works side by side with his two equally talented brothers: Bruno and Giancarlo. The three work together through every phase of the winemaking process--pruning, cultivating, thinning and, of course, harvesting. “Never lose contact with the vineyard” was his parents’ advice, Giorgio says. It’s clear the brothers took it to heart.
Rivetti has turned La Spinetta into a veritable force in Italy. Not only does he make an excellent Moscato d’Asti that has been widely acclaimed for years — the Bricco Quaglia is said to be the first single-vineyard Moscato in Italy — his stable of Piedmont reds, including single-vineyard Barbarescos, Barolo, Barberas, Dolcettos and Langhe Nebbiolo, is impressive and garners high scores across the board. And now, Rivetti has purchased 75 acres in Tuscany, where he is producing single-vineyard Sangiovese-based wines.

Hot off the press!

WINE ADVOCATE’S FAVORITE WINES THAT WE HAVE IN STOCK!

2009 Vestini Campagnano Pallagrello Bianco

… a gorgeous, lush wine. A foral, minty bouquet leads to juicy ripe apricots and peaches, all of which come together with beautiful delineation and clarity. This is a fabulous white from Vestini Campagnano.

- 90 points, Antonio Galloni

2006 Vestini Campagnano Pallagrello Nero

… an exotic wine laced with freshly cut roses, sage, mint, rosemary and red cherries. Somewhat ethereal at first, the wine gains volume and richness in the glass, showing layers of dark red fruit. Ripe, islky tannins frame the finish

- 90 points, Antonio Galloni

2008 Parusso Langhe Nebbiolo

The 2008 Langhe Nebbiolo comes across as impeccably refined in its silky red fruit, flowers and spices, with an inner sweetness that is impossible to resist. The soft tannins make this approachable today, but it should drink well for a number of years. It is a jewel of wine from Marco Parusso.

- 90 points, Antonio Galloni

90 POINTS FOR LA RASINA BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO FROM SPECTATOR

2005 La Rasina Brunello di Montalcino

Wow. What a powerful wine for the vintage. Full body, with loads of ripe fruit and toasted on the palate. Chewy and rich. It needs bottle age to soften, but its all three. This is one of the best producers in Montalcino now.

- James Suckling

90 POINTS FOR DI GIOVANNA NERELLO MASCALESE IN WINE & SPIRITS

2008 Di Giovanna Nerello Mascalese

Grown at DiGiovanna’s estate in Contessa Entellina, 1,000 to 1,475 feet above sea level, this is made with the help of Riccardo Cotarelli. Its scents of dried cherries and black pepper spice open into a juicy length flavor, with tannins and fruit melding seamlessly. Earthiness and oak modulate the dark cherry flavor, all in balance. For a meaty lasagna.

Charleston Wine + Food Festival

The Charleston Wine + Food Festival has been praised as one of the top five food and wine festivals in the U.S. by Forbes traveler. This event will have the some of the top chefs and winemakers from around the world!

Don’t miss out on Charleston Food and Wine Festival on March the 3-6. We, at Grassroots will not be missing out! We will be participating and sponsoring various events, such as the dine- arounds. So, come out and support Grassroots Wine along with many other sponsors to enjoy great food and great wine.

Please visit http://www.charlestonwineandfood.com/ for more details

France trip with Jon David Headrick

I'm off to France today for a week long trip with Jon David Headrick. Stayed tuned for updates and highlights
-Harry

A Very Big Thank You From Grassroots Wine on Helping Us Fight Hunger!

We all want to thank everyone who helped to fight hunger in the area by participating in Wal-Mart's Fighting Hunger on Facebook! Your help pushed us from the bottom of the ranks all the way to number 5 New Years Eve. Wal-Mart won't officially announce the winners till Wednesday, January 5th, but if we stay at number 5 then that means you helped bring in $100,000 worth of food into the Charleston area. So pat yourself on the back, cross your fingers, and check out this great article in the city paper about Charleston's fight against hunger!

We're Number 5 in anti-hunger vote

And check back here on Wednesday the fifth to see where we ended up!