and more:
• Nobility In Montepulciano
• Soft, Seductive Chianti
• The Buzz In The Maremma

IWMs Summer Picks

With the height of summer here, IWM is featuring six wines that are both elegant and approachable today, as well as being exceptional values for August entertaining. From an ancient varietal grown on the volcanic soils of Campania to a Valpolicella produced in the ripasso method, this range of wines is sure to please your summer guests.

Experience them individually or through our assorted summer case (2 of each) at $225.50. To order these wines, please contact our Portfolio Managers at 212.473.2323 or via e-mail .

Click here to view additional wine selections from IWM!

A Taste Of History!

Bruno De Conciliis capitalizes on southern exposure and ancient soils in the ripe climate of the Cilento zone of Campania to produce full bodied, fruit driven wines. While his best-known wine is the majestic ‘Naima’ (named after the John Coltrane song and the winemaker’s love of jazz), which is made from 100% aglianico, the producer also makes wines outside the collector’s market, which can be enjoyed at contained prices. To learn about this and other antique varietals from Campania click here!

De Conciliis 2002 Donnaluna Fiano $16.50 (750ml)

In Campania’s hotbed of antique varietals, the fiano grape has been resurrected from near extinction. Like other indigenous grapes of the region, fiano has grown here since the time of Greek occupation and is rapidly regaining popularity as one of Italy’s favorite white wines. Here the wine is thoroughly enjoyable with a characteristically complex blend of flavors that include hazelnut and pear laced with mineral and earthy accents.

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A Polished Valpolicella

With limited acreage under production, the small scale winemaker is the true pulse of Italian winemaking, producing big wines from small means. Situated in the heart of Valpolicella's classico district, 87 acres of family-owned vineyard have been cultivated under the careful watch of the Nicolis family for generations. The present winery operates under the enterprising intuition of Angelo Nicolis and his wife Natalia. Their three sons, all trained in enology and business management, work closely with them to conduct most of the winery activities.

Nicolis 2000 Valpolicella Seccal $22.67 (750ml)

The use of the "ripasso" technique increases the body and alcoholic content of this wine while rendering it suitable for aging in oak casks. Amarone and Recioto grapes - still intact - are placed in the wine after fermentation to produce this effect. The generous and perfumed nose evokes visions of fields of wild flowers and huge, woven market baskets stuffed with sun-drenched cherries. Intense Valpolicella characteristics of dried herbs and liquorice. Medium-bodied, fruity and warm.

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Bright White From Friuli

This little winery, located in the heart of Colli Orientali del Friuli, is known for its long lived whites, which display vibrant acidity and good, minerally freshness. The climate in this zone provides ideal growing conditions for tocai friulano, sauvignon, chardonnay and pinot bianco, which are favorites of Ronco del Gnemiz. All of the various phases of production of each bottle of wine are attended to with scrupulous attention and passion by the winery’s owner, Serena Palazzolo, and the talented enologist Roberto Cipresso.

Ronco del Gnemiz 2001 Bianco $19.80 (750ml)

The 'Bianco' is a blend of chardonnay, riesling, and sauvignon. Straw yellow. The wine exudes aromas of sweet fruit, honey and spice. On the palate, the wine continues to evolve with flavors of peaches, melon, and hazelnut. It is warm, soft, and velvety with a light, aromatic vanilla note from the oak. Finishes elegantly.

*If you are interested in summer style whites like this Bianco, please contact our portfolio managers at 212.473.2323 for a Fruili White sampler.

Click here to order these wines by fax!

Nobility In Montepulciano

Four wines for four horses: this is the symbol of the farm which, surrounded by beeches and oaks, stretches across the hills that slope down from Montepulciano to Lake Trasimeno. In these hills, memories remain of the horses that once roamed free in these woods and arrived galloping on the yellow stretch of land that dominates the high hill. Here lies the "devil's stone" used to build the church of Sant'Agnese, which, according to legend, was placed there by Lucifer to prevent the basilica from being built. The winemakers chose the same name for the estate vineyard, bearing witness to the commitment to growing and producing great wines in this historical location.

Il Faggeto 2000 Vigna Pietra del Diavolo $22.00 (750ml)

Here’s an approachable and affordable Vino Nobile for everyday consumption! The local clone of sangiovese takes the name prugnolo gentile to create this wine favored by noblemen dating back to the 17th century. Vigna Pietra del Diavolo has a full nose of berry fruit laced with vanilla. The taste is dry with flavors of licorice, dried cherry, and earth supported by tight-knit tannins. A long, elegant finish!

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Soft, Seductive Chianti

This small, well regarded winery in San Casciano, Tuscany is run by Laura Baronti. La Sala has recently received a lot of attention for producing intelligent wines that are soft and seductive at reasonable prices. The estate extends over the property known since 1260 by the name “Grande Terra Murata” (“large walled property”), which belonged to the aristocratic Giandonati family. In the early 15th century the lands fell into the hands of the Acciaiuoli family, who also owned the Certosa del Galluzzo; in 1534 it became the property of Grand Duke Alessandro, and lastly of the Corsini family, who ran the estate almost until the present day.

La Sala 2001 Chianti Classico $19.80 (750ml)

100% sangiovese. Deep ruby red. The nose indicates wood in aromas of vanilla and cloves. On the palate the wine is round and persistent with light nuances of leather and vanilla, which complements the fruity base.

Click here to order these summer wines by fax!

The Buzz In The Maremma

This tiny estate in the Maremma produces some of the region's finest wines (recently cited by Eric Asimov, chief wine critic of The New York Times). The estate itself dates back to the 17th Century, during the colonization of Napoleon. Between that time and WWII, the winery fell into disrepair. Italy’s Baroncini wine family purchased the estate in the early eighties, and after replanting the vineyards and refurbishing the winery, they released their first wine in 1997 to extremely positive reviews.

Il Puntone 2000 Morellino di Scansano Riserva $22.00 (750ml)

Made from sangiovese (Morellino is the name used for the sangiovese grape around the town of Scansano), along with some canaiolo and malvasia nera. Deep ruby red in the glass, the distinct, robust bouquet and warm yet austere flavors finish long and reflect the region’s arid climate. It has silky red fruit as well as wild blackberries and spice. Great, balanced structure.

Click here to order these summer wines by fax!

Summer Six Pack & Assorted Case

IWM is offering these six great examples of approachable wines in both a six pack (1 of each) and case sampler (2 of each) for your summer entertaining. This a great way to experience the range these grapes have across region, producer, and style.

De Conciliis 2002 Donnaluna Fiano (750ml)
Nicolis 2000 Valpolicella Seccal (750ml)
Ronco del Gnemiz 2001 Bianco (750ml)
Il Faggeto 2000 Vigna Pietra del Diavolo (750ml)
La Sala 2001 Chianti Classico (750ml)
Il Puntone 2000 Morellino di Scansano Riserva (750ml)

IWM Summer Six-Pack (6) $122.77
IWM Summer Case Sampler (12) $225.89*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

For additional summer wines cases, that include the frosty whites of Friuli and the ripe tropical fruit flavors from Campania's indigenous varietals, contact our Portfolio Managers at 212.473.2323 or via e-mail.

Click here to order your case by fax!