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The Back Label E13 – Juvé & Camps

Learn about this legendary family-owned estate from CEO Meritxell Juvé, and discover the history of their partnership with world-renowned culinary figure Ferran Adrià. Later on, we dive into the wines with Professor Fernando Zamora, the winery’s chief enologist for the past 20 years.

The Back Label E06 – Juan E. Marco, Finca Decero

Juan Marco joined Finca Decero as CEO & Head Winemaker in 2007, embracing owner Thomas Schmidheiny’s vision for a sustainably farmed, world-class estate which is immaculately managed by hand from vine to barrel.

The Back Label E07 – Maria & Luisa Ponzi, Ponzi Vineyards

In 2012, Anna Maria and her sister Luisa acquired ownership of Ponzi Vineyards from their parents, Dick and Nancy Ponzi, becoming one of the country’s few sister-run wineries.

The Back Label E08 – Miriam Lee Masciarelli

The eldest of Gianni Masciarelli and Marina Cvetic’s three children, Miriam Lee Masciarelli is already on track to move the family estate forward, together with her mother.

The Back Label E10 – Laurent Onillon, Langlois-Chateau

Laurent Onillon is a Loire Valley native and has worked at the Langlois-Chateau estate for nearly 20 years.

The Back Label E12 – Joy Sterling, Iron Horse Vineyards

In 1985, Joy left a career in journalism to join her family’s business and made news headlines for the winery with her first achievement at Iron Horse: in November, 1985, the White House selected Iron Horse Sparkling Wine for Ronald Reagan’s toast to peace at the first summit meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev in Geneva. Joy served on the Board of Trustees of the Leakey Foundation for ten years and is a member of National Geographic’s Grosvenor Council. She is the author of A Cultivated Life, published by Random House.

Elevator Pitch – Malbec

A core intensity of red fruit flavors and lifted violet aromas remain the signature of Malbec from the estate’s Remolinos Vineyard. This is exquisitely balanced by freshness of acidity and an elegant integration of French oak which adds complexity to the rich mid palate.

Elevator Pitch – Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

Trebbiano is the white grape that Gianni Masciarelli fought so hard to legitimize. In Abruzzo, the specific clone is different than the high yielding, sometimes simple version of the grape found elsewhere in Italy. On Abruzzo’s soils, this variety of Trebbiano creates immensely expressive, a touch opulent, and age-wort wines.

Elevator Pitch – Montepulciano d’Aburzzo

Masicarelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is the benchmark for Montepulciano in Italy and the world. Pioneering winemaker Gianni Masciarelli, who put winemaking Abruzzo on the map, elevated the wines from his native region to new heights, and his Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a tribute to his home as well as a perfect introduction to the grape and to Abruzzo.

Elevator Pitch – Rosato

Abruzzo and the Montepulciano grape are famous for making arguably the finest rose in Italy, from one of the only appellations in Italy dedicated completely to rose; Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo. This Rosato is the little sister – a fresh and totally delightful expression.

Elevator Pitch – Marina Cvetic Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Riserva

The Trebbiano Riserva Marina Cvetic represents the ultimate expression for the estate of one of the historical vines of Abruzzo. Like Montepulciano, Trebbiano was once thought to be a workhorse grape without the potential to produce great wine. The interpretation of this wine is original and has a character. Marina Cvetic wines have full body and are elegant and are a “lone voice” for the most demanding and technical experts.

Elevator Pitch – Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Aburzzo Riserva

Gianni Masciarelli one day suprised his wife by presenting her with this wine, from the grape he made famous from the region, named after her. Croatian in origin, her first reaction was that no one would be able to pronounce the wine. Because of the outstanding sites used to produce the wine and the serious winemaking care it undergoes, Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Abruzzo soon became the most widespread example of serious Montepluciano in the world.

Elevator Pitch – Villa Gemma Colline Teatine Bianco

While the Villa Gemma Montepulciano was the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, the Bianco, created just a year later, further defined what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. This wine, first released in 1985, speaks to the white grape varieties specific to the region and has become on of the most exciting wines produced at the estate.

Elevator Pitch – Marina Cvetic Montepulciano d’Aburzzo ISKRA

ISKRA is a true outlier, representing a single vineyard handled in a particular way to create a wine of extraordinary distinction and depth.

Elevator Pitch – Villa Gemma Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Riserva

Started in Gianni Masciarelli’s grandfather’s basement, Villa Gemma is the wine that announced Abruzzo to the world, showcasing what the region and grapes of Abruzzo could produce. Villa Gemma Montepulciano Riserva is the only Italian wine with 14 consecutive Tre Bicchieri awards and, more importantly, was the wine that established Abruzzo as capable of making truly distinct, extraordinary wines.

Elevator Pitch – Villa Gemma Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo

Perhaps the finest rosé production area in Italy, and one of the few appellations dedicated only to rosé, Cerasuolo has a long history of producing serious rosé, and showcasing how well the Montepulciano grape is adapted to rosé. Masciarelli first produced this wine in 1986, only 5 years after the winery was founded.

Elevator Pitch – Special Cuvée

From vineyard to bottling, Special Cuvée sees such an extraordinary level of care and attention, it is difficult to place within the non-vintage or, really, any Champagne category. It is a Champagne that stands apart. Within one bottle, all the complexity of flavor, texture and pleasure that Champagne can offer. Special Cuvée is truly a journey of devotion from Bollinger.

Elevator Pitch – Rosé

In the same way that Special Cuvée stands apart from non-vintage Champagnes, Bollinger Rosé is an exception for Rosé Champagnes. What is more, it is a relative secret, as Bollinger did not release a non-vintage Rosé until 2008 and the quantity produced is quite limited. The wine begins as Special Cuvée and then Bollinger’s specialty as the Pinot Noir producer in Champagne takes center stage, as the red fruits that join the conversation dance vibrantly, the finish has just a hint of perfectly ripe tannin, and the deep complexity of the wine shines through transparently.

Elevator Pitch – PN

PN, made entirely from Pinot Noir to underscore the very essence and DNA of the House style, is the first new cuvée added to Bollinger’s permanent range since rosé in 2008. Each release of PN, developed as a series to bring Bollinger’s unique vision of Pinot Noir to light, will showcase a different cru from the base year that highlights its distinctive terroir and taste.

Elevator Pitch – La Grande Année

La Grande Année: The Great Year. This Champagne is the embodiment of everything that makes Bollinger the producer that stands apart in Champagne. La Grande Année, or LGA, preserves the traditions of the past and symbolizes the word “hand-crafted” so strongly that an overused word suddenly becomes the only appropriate definition.