One of Italy's Hidden Gems

We love a good Verdicchio, more specifically a Verdicchio di Castello dei Jesi from the Marches region of Italy. We like it so much you can usually find a bottle in our refrigerator. And why not? It's one of Italy's hidden gems.

It seems like Verdicchio is popping up just about everywhere these days. It's hot, hot, hot with sommeliers and wine professionals. In an effort to expand our Verdicchio selection we've been tasting and evaluating Verdicchios like fiendish maniacs (all for a good cause, don't you think?).

We recently hand-selected one from Garofoli, which is the oldest family-owned winery in the Marches region, dating back to 1871. It's called Garofoli Macrina and we enjoyed its rich and round nature which screams out for pesto-laced dishes as well as lobster and shellfish. We decided to go the extra mile when we developed and then partook in the ultimate pairing -- Garofoli Macrina served with count neck clams in a rich broth dotted with fresh pesto. Woot!

So when we met with Garofoli's importer, none other than legendary Dalla Terra, their lovely Northeast Regional Manager dropped a bombshell in our laps. She alluded to a rare, single-vineyard Verdicchio from Garofoli which wasn't in the country yet. There was something about the look in her eye -- was it a twinkle?

Let's just say this. When an importer gets us and truly understands who we are and what we do and why we do it, well, magic can and does happen. A few weeks later that very same Northeast Regional Manager from Dalla Terra came over to our house with a dozen or so wines to taste and evaluate.

The ultimate hook up.

Out came a sample of the single vineyard Podium Verdicchio di Castello dei Jesi Classico Superiore, which is Garofoli's finest and most exclusive offering. The wine wasn't even in the country yet, but the sample was right there in front of us. As wine merchants we don't mind telling you this was our version of Christmas morning and we were five years old again. And let's just say, Santa overdelivered!!!

Garofoli's Podium is a small production, single-vineyard white wine which has been awarded Gambero Rosso's prestigious Tre Bicchieri so many times it makes the heart flutter. If that isn't enough to stop you in your tracks, our favorite scholarly wine mag, Decanter Magazine, says Garofoli's Podium is "one of Italy's greatest white wines." And we couldn't agree more.

Podium is Verdicchio on steroids.

One of the reasons we like Verdicchio in general is its characteristic high minerality, together with bright acidity and great texture. Take all those wonderful things and then elevate them to a completely different level with Podium.

Toss in unctuous complexity, layer upon layer of cascading flavors, creamy texture, pure fruit and a long finish and phew, we can hardly continue writing this email.

Garofoli's Podium is a show stopper.

It has a gorgeous Chablis-like character, only riper. It's dry and minerally and crisp in all the right places, yet round and creamy. One word sums it up. Stunning. So if you like an extraordinarily elegant white wine with magnificent complexity and potential to evolve as it ages, look no further.

You simply must try this wine.

We are currently in possession of 10 six-pack cases. Well, that's sort of correct. We really only have 8 now because your favorite wine merchants snuck off with two cases for themselves. We very rarely do this, but we just couldn't stop ourselves this time. Please don't be upset with us.

We just HAD to have this wine.

If one of Italy's greatest and most glorious white wines is of interest to you, please contact us. Stop by, phone or reply to this email.

We will accept orders on a first-come, first-served basis until this wine vanishes and we cry.

$24.99/bottle or $119.95/6 pack case ($19.99/bottle) or just $19.99/bottle in a mixed case of wine.

There is one silver lining. At least we hope. If we sell out of the 8 six-packs and contact the importer quickly we may have access to a tiny bit more and then it's game over. This wine only ever becomes available for a short window every year and that time is right now.

Garofoli's Podium only arrived in the state a few days ago and nobody knows about it yet. Except us. Grin.

We'll be checking our emails throughout the weekend to stay on top of this offer. We're so excited for you to drink this rare treat!!!

Ciao!

* Wine & Spirit Education Trust Certified *

Town Center Wine & Spirits Cape Cod's Most Trusted Wine Merchant

Location 4550 State Highway North Eastham, MA 02651 (Next to the Royal Thai Restaurant in the Town Center Plaza) Tel: 508 255 3660 Fax: 508 255 6736

Spring Hours Mon-Sat: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m Sunday: 12 to 6 p.m.   We're open year round. Closed only on Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.