VINITALY2017: THE WINE RESEARCH TEAM TASTING, COMPANIES LOOKING TO THE FUTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSUMERS LOOKING AT SCIENCE, LED BY THE ITALIAN WINEMAKER, COTARELLA

“Science is the mother of quality wine, which is more sustainable for the environment and consumers,” said Riccardo Cotarella, “and it is crucial that companies unite to conduct serious scientific research and focus on spreading knowledge”, emphasized Professor Attilio Scienza, not only because “it is a value to be sold on the market”, the founder of WineBow, Leonardo Lo Cascio told WineNews, but it is also the producer's ethical duty, as two exceptional Italian winemakers Bruno Vespa and Massimo D'Alema said in messages from the Wine Research Team tasting that closed Vinitaly.
The Italian wine world believes in the value of scientific research and sharing it to produce even better and healthier wines, because wine will always be a modern and millennial source of pleasure.
The Wine Research Team is the challenge between man and nature, like a boat at full sail, the winemaker and his vineyards. It was founded in 2012 with the intention of collaborating with some of the most typical wineries on the Italian territory. At the helm of the team is Riccardo Cotarella, president of Italian oenologists, who, starting with the 2012 harvest, proposing a technical protocol to obtain high quality wines without adding sulphites. Since 2014, established traditional as well as newer companies have endorsed the common project, and the goal of sharing their own experiences and common knowledge to the world.
The scientific committee includes, besides Riccardo Cotarella, Professors Attilio Scienza, Fabio Mencarelli and Riccardo Valentini, and the young winemaker, Nicola Biasi.
And now for the wines. Leone de Castris' Rosé Anniversary 2016 Immediate drinkability and enjoyment, a wine that never disappoints. The highly scented and flavorful white wine Falanghina dei Mille 2015 de La Guardiense has the same pleasantness.
Another white cornerstone is Verdicchio dei Castelli of Jesi Classico Vigna Novali Riserva 2003 of Terre Cortesi of Moncaro that demonstrates the aging ability of this vine, perhaps the most important of Italian whites. Massimo D'Alema’s Umbrian company produces Pinot Noir 2013 de La Madaleine, a good varietal wine and destined to grow. Primitivo Raccontami 2013 of Futura 14, produced by Bruno Vespa’s company in Apulia is fresh and has great drinkability, a well-balanced red, juicy and lively.
Amarone of Valpolicella 2013 Reserve of Monte Zovo is delightful and pleasantly sweet, with a long and warm finish. Don Luigi 2008 by Di Majo Norante, still young and great potential, has great structure and complex articulation. Montefalco Sagrantino Exubera 2009 by Terre de La Custodia is intense and faceted with deep scents of violets and dried roses.
San Salvatore’s Giglio Dorfles 2012 red wine from the Cilento area is warm and at times zealous; it has a strong personality and undeniable charm. Taurasi Riserva 2012 by Donnachiara is austere and beautifully expressive, re-emphasizing once again the capabilities of the Aglianico Irpino. Carvinea’s unique Ottavianello 2014 also comes from the south, namely Apulia, and is obtained from a vine of ancient cultivation that expresses record sweetness and softness.
The delicious Bricco dei Guazzi 2015 of Geneagricola is made from another unique grape variety, Alba Rossa, a cross between Nebbiolo and Barbera, which is beginning to produce interesting wines. Vigna Camarato 2010 of Villa Matilde is an intensely perfumed red that combines acidity and softness with deep and solid scents in the mouth. Though still young, Nobile of Montepulciano Ancient Chiusina 2013 of Tenute del Cerro gives good overall feelings.

Focus - The Wine Research Team companies

Cantina Ricco
Cantine Mito
Cantine Monrubio
Carvinea
Cascina Pastori
Cigognola
Coppo
Di Majo Norante
Donnachiara
Falesco
Futura 14
Genagricola
Greco
Villa Sandi
La Guardiense
La Madeleine
Leone de Castris
Monte Zovo
Muròla
Nuova Tenuta Paradiso
Pucciarella
San Patrignano
San Salvatore
Sant’Isidoro
Tenuta Coppadoro
Tenuta di Frassineto
Tenute del Cerro
Terre Cortesi Moncaro
Terre de La Custodia
Trequanda
Villa Matilde
Villa Medoro
Valle d’Assisi
Vallepicciola