Top Italian Wines Showcased on Capitol Hill

July 21, 2012 ~ Some of the best Italian wine producers recently held a wine-tasting on Captitol Hill for the Congressional Wine Caucus and other distinguished guests. 

The co-chair of the Wine Caucus, Congressman Mike Thompson from California said that it was "an historic event" because it was only the second time that a country had come to the Capitol to show off their wines. 

Thompson referred to Italy a "one of our greatest allies." The Italian Ambassador, Claudio Bisogniero said in his remarks that Italy is now the number one exporter of wines to the United States.  "Wine is an essential element of our culture," said Bisogniero,  and will be one of the highlights in 2013 for the Year of Italian Culture in the United States.

The six Italian wine companies that participated at the wine tasting were: Cantina Castello Banfi, represented by Cristina Mariani-May; Cantina Allegrini, represented by Marilisa Allegrini (Co-Owner); Cantina Terredora, Mariella Mastroberardino (Co-Owner); Cantine Ferrari, represented by  Matteo Lunelli (President); Casa Vinicola Zonin/Barboursville Vineyards represented by Luca Paschini; and Gruppo Italiano Vini represented by Odila Galer-Noel (Assistant Vice-President).

Among the wines that we enjoyed tasting was a wonderful sparkling wine from Ferrari, Castello Banfi's 2007 Brunello di Montalcino, a robust 2009 Banfi Belnero, an Amarone from Allegrini and a 2005 Taurasi from Torredora Winery.  

The event, held on July 19, was sponsored by Vinitaly, Verona Fiere, and the Embassy of Italy.

The Congressional Wine Caucus (CWC) was founded in 1999 by Congressmen and winegrape growers Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and George Radanovich (R-Fresno) to protect the interests of the vibrant wine industry from grape to glass. Today, the Caucus brings together more than 200 Members of Congress representing all 50 states, and is chaired by Congressman Thompson and Congressman Dan Lungren (R-Gold River).

Odila Galer-Noel (GIV), Cristina Mariani-May (Castello Banfi), Matteo Lunelli (Cantine Ferrari), Stevie Kim (VinitalyTour), Mike Thompson Rep. (Wine Caucus), Marilisa Allegrini (Allegrini Wineries), Daniela Mastroberardino (Terredora Winery), Luca Paschina (Barboursville Vineyard / Casa Vinicola Zonin) & Edoardo Pucci (Italian Embassy).

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