Il Maestro: Antonio Sanguineti

I don’t know about you, but I gotta love a winemaker who drives what locals refer to as la Banana Rapida.

For Antonio Sanguineti, his brilliant yellow Audi wagon that speeds throughout the Tuscan countryside is as much motif as it is automotive in his life full of bold moves, including the bold wines he crafts so carefully and which have earned him the nickname, Il Maestro.

The story goes that his family owned vineyards, but when he was but a child the family fell on hard times and had to sell those vineyards.  The fruitful land was gone, but clearly not the expertise that evolved.  A winemaker without a vineyard is not so unusual these days, and Sanguineti’s palate and gift for making incredible wine blends led him to work as a consultant, often being paid in wine grapes that he hand-selects to make his unusual and provocative limited production wines. Today, his Small Vineyards company is known for its unique wines that focus on quality not quantity.

Sanguineti’s flamboyant personality conveys to his unique Italian wines that garner constant praise.  Lucky for Hinsdale, he is bringing at least five of those wines to town Saturday, Feb. 27^th, 5-8 p.m., for a $20 tasting, that is sure to stun the taste buds. Hinsdale Cellars will host the event that includes: one white, Verdicchio, followed by Chianti, a couple of Super Tuscans, and a Brunello.  (Note: Many credit his il Maestro nickname to his incredible Brunello.)

The evening promises to be a brief, but magical oenological trip to Tuscany certain to bring you back home a bit dizzy from the whirlwind sensory tour.  Afterall, Sanguineti is a man of adventure whose favorite toast is: “May we all die young — as late as possible!”

Tasting fees will be applied to any purchases that evening, and limited reservations are still available for the event. Call 630.654.9862 to save yourself a place.

Live An Inspired Life With Your Wine Merchant…

As I was reading the ‘Food and Drink’ section of this week’s Wall Street Journal, someone posed an interesting question to the paper with an even more interesting answer. “What to get for your Wine Merchant for Christmas?” was the reader’s question, but it was the answer that really caught my attention.

The author replied that: “…A truly caring, thoughtful and concerned wine merchant can be a teacher, a guide and a friend”. To my staff and I at The Hinsdale Wine Shop, building these types of personal relationships is the foundation for our business being such a success. These are relationships that you cannot find elsewhere, particularly at big and unfriendly chain retailers. We want to give you the best experience shopping for and tasting wines as we possibly can.

I feel, as well as my staff and many of our patrons that wine is so much more than just a liquid. Wine is a journey of the world through a glass; it is a living thing that goes through family events and special occasions with us and has the ability to build friendships and can help with discoveries of the soul.

Because we have such close relationships with the wine we drink, why would we not have a corresponding relationship to the person that introduces us to it? Wine has an incredible ability to bring people together, and it is certainly the time of year where we all think about good family and friends.

The writer also writes in the answer: “…if you don’t have a wine merchant to whom you would ever consider giving a gift, you should make a New Year’s resolution to find one. They’re out there” and I couldn’t agree more. If you need someone to direct you through your journey of wine, consider letting me be your guide.

Happy Holidays and I hope to see you soon,

Sean Chaudhry

Taking Two from the Tapas Bar

Whether you can hear castanets rhythmically clicking or envision the brilliant red dress of a rapid, high-stepping Flamenco dancer, Spain undoubtedly conjures up colorful images – maybe memories from a week in Madrid – for anyone with the slightest familiarity of its culture.  Spanish red wines are getting increasing attention and with good reason.  The Tempranillo grape, essentially the backbone to Spanish reds, makes for “rich, well-structured wines with good acidity and plenty of tannin and color.” (Robert Parker) So, what better pairing of wines to warm your chilly November evenings than a couple of fiery reds that can stand up to your favorite bullfighter’s pot roast as well as an array of tapas delights.

2008 Zestos,  Madrid

With 50 percent Tempranillo and 50 percent Garnacha grapes, this wine presents dark ruby in color with luscious purple highlights.  These two varietals marry exceeding well with one another, producing an earthy, full-bodied wine.  Its nose is one of raspberries, blackberries, and plum.  Perfect with your favorite charcuterie, this wine seems made for a tapas bar, calling out for you to bring your best olives and cheeses.  However, it works well as an accompaniment to heartier fare such as barbequed spare ribs or roast lamb.

2005 Magana Dignus, Navarra DO

Grown close to Spain’s rioja region, this is a wine made from grape vines in some cases more than 30 years in age, and that foundation shows in this blend of 50 percent Tempranillo, 25 percent Cabernet Sauvignon and 25 percent Merlot. The Magana Dignus is grown in a unique microclimate that makes darker, beefier wines than others grown in Navarra.  It is a complex wine with spicy, cherry and dark berry fragrances and succulent, fruit-forward berry flavors.  Its nose is intense and bright with a bit of jam.  In the mouth, it’s silky with good quality tannins and a wonderful long, clean finish. Again, we have a voluptuous Spanish wine that is ready for your hearty appetizers as much as your tournedos of venison.

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