April 1998
Dan Berger's Vintage Experiences - Contratto
In writing about the Italian Renaissance in wine, Berger features the resurrected house of Contratto from Piedmont as " once exceptional…and now, under new ownership, is back on the straight and narrow. Contratto owned some of the finest red wine vineyards in Piedmont, yet was renowned for its sparkling wine…In 1994 Contratto was acquired by Antonella and Carlo Bocchino, one of the world's finest producers of Grappa, whose company celebrates its 100th anniversasry this year. Almost overnight major changes were made at the Contratto property, one of which was to recast the style of the wines, and to elevate the red wines to the status the vineyards appear to warrant. The result is a new Contratto that has a range of remarkably fine wines…" Berger goes on to rate the 1993 Barolo Cerequio "Tenuta Secolo" as "exceptional" along with the 1994 Barbera D'Asti "Solus Ad" and the 1996 Moscato D'Asti "Tenuta Gilardino."
Donato Lanati and Genagricola
Top Consulting Enologist Donato Lanati was retained by the Borgo Magredo and Torre Rosazza Estates of Friuli. Piero Totis, the managing director of the Borgo Magredo and Torre Rosazza estates of Friuli has announced the retention of one of Italy's top consulting enologists, Donato Lanati. Lanati is one of the most sought after enologists in Italy and is credited with 9 wines achieving the coveted Tre Bicchieri award from the Gambero Rosso 1999 edition. Lanati only consults with top quality estates, such as Schiopetto, Russiz Superiore, Colterenzio, and Isole e Olena, among others.
