Dalla Terra tasting restrospect: Wil Bailey’s picks
Our tremendous Dalla Terra portfolio tasting two weeks ago is still on the minds (and palates) of many a Minnesota wine buyer. There are few portfolios that can match the integrity and diversity of Dalla Terra, and asking Wil Bailey to pick out his favorites was met with a confused look from him including upturned hands and a plea of “Are you kidding me?? How can I pick from a line up like that??”
Alas, Wil came through (as he always does).
Following are Wil’s picks for the top wines of the afternoon, along with information on where to find them in Minnesota. Accounts are listed alphabetically by city, and be sure to call ahead to confirm availability.
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Inama “Vigneto di Foscarino” Soave Classico: “Just a 100%, complete game changer in how most of us have been raised to view Soave.” This single vineyard gem is from the heart of Soave Classico (which, as you remember from last year’s video of Stefano Inama, is completely different from plain old Soave).
Eden Prairie
952-829-8402
Sunfish Cellars
Lilydale
651-552-5955
Closed - Parella
Minneapolis
612-353-5444
Monello/constantine
Minneapolis
612-353-6207
South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811
Terzo
Minneapolis
612-925-3113
France 44
Minneapolis
612-925-3252
Joseph Dixon
Minneapolis
Tilia
Minneapolis
612-618-3069
Colbeck
Saint Paul
651-487-1212
Ann Avant
Saint Paul
Kyle Rau
Saint Paul
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Boroli Barbera d’Alba “Quatro Fratelli”: “A REALLY sumptuous and satisfying Barbera at a KILLER value.” Barbera is one of our favorite grapes around The Wine Company, giving a rush of black and red fruits, great acidity, and little to no tannin. Possibly one of the best food wines around, especially with pizza.
Duluth
218-727-4921
Mt Royal Bottle Shoppe
Duluth
218-728-6168
Brackett's Crossing Country Club
Lakeville
952-435-7600
Heritage Liquor
Maplewood
651-777-7455
Nelson, Jeff
Minneapolis
France 44
Minneapolis
612-925-3252
North Loop Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-338-5393
Heartland
Saint Paul
Hessburg, Deb
Saint Paul
651-487-1212
Do Not Use Owner, Mgm - Vadnais Heights
Vadnais Heights
651-653-3456
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Marchesi di Gresy, Barbaresco “Martinenga”: “I ALWAYS love this wine. It is so pretty. Especially in a killer vintage like 2008.” The Martinenga vineyard is one of the very rare monopoles of Piedmonte (a single vineyard owned completely by one winery), located in a prime amphitheater just downhill from the famed Rabaja vineyard. Detailed and lighter bodied, but with firm tannins and lean muscle on the palate. Incredible stuff.
Frazee
218-334-3555
The Kenwood - New Ownership
Minneapolis
612-377-3695
Travail
Minneapolis
612-669-5231
South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811
Terzo
Minneapolis
612-925-3113
Pescara
Rochester
507-280-6900
Bj Thorkelson
Saint Paul
Samples - Taylor Stein
Saint Paul
Wil Bailey
Saint Paul
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Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano: “I came back to this wine three times during the tasting to try it again, then bought some for the house.” We are so happy to have this outstanding producer be a new part of the Dalla Terra portfolio. Agronomist Federico Carletti makes possibly the most dynamic style of Vino Nobile out there, with amazing black raspberry richness, a complete and complex mid-palate, and a finish that just goes on and on.
Bemidji
218-751-1100
Top Ten Liquors - Blaine
Blaine
763-754-3231
Mt Royal Bottle Shoppe
Duluth
218-728-6168
Bellisio's
Duluth
218-727-4921
The Wine Market
Mendota Heights
651-452-9463
Hennepin-lake Liquors
Minneapolis
612-825-4411
Prima - Minneapolis
Minneapolis
612-827-7376
South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811
Terzo
Minneapolis
612-925-3113
North Loop Wine & Spirits
Minneapolis
612-338-5393
Falls Liquor
Minneapolis
612-729-5498
Cellars - Plymouth
Plymouth
763-559-2114
Andy's Liquor Marketplace
Rochester
507-535-7500
Cellars - Roseville
Roseville
651-636-4404
The Wine Shop - Nicholas Barth
Saint Cloud
320-251-7733
Angela Kallsen
Saint Paul
Heartland
Saint Paul
W.a. Frost
Saint Paul
651-224-5715
First Grand Liquors
Saint Paul
651-227-7039
Bj Thorkelson
Saint Paul
The Commodore
Saint Paul
651-330-5999
West Side Liquor - Waite Park
Waite Park
320-253-9511
Gianni's
Wayzata
952-404-1100
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Tenuta di Sant’Antonio, Amarone della Valpolicella “Castagnedi”: “This wine is awesome. Great intensity and power without a bunch of sugar weighting it down. Finally an Amarone you really SHOULD drink with a meal (instead of just a cigar).” Balanced Amarone is a rare wine indeed, and as more producers go for fuller-larger-louder styles of wine it is a breath of fresh air to experience the wines of Sant’Antonio.
Duluth
218-727-4921
Kowalski's Eagan Wine Market
Eagan
651-328-8300
Edina Country Club
Edina
952-927-7151
Sunfish Cellars
Lilydale
651-552-5955
Broadway Liquor Outlet
Minneapolis
612-522-4384
Al Vento
Minneapolis
612-724-3009
South Lyndale Liquor
Minneapolis
612-827-5811
Loring Pasta Bar
Minneapolis
612-378-4849
Angela Kallsen
Saint Paul
Punch Pizza - St Paul
Saint Paul
651-696-1066
Solo Vino
Saint Paul
651-602-9515
