Cooperativa Agricola Cincinnato

LAZIO

The region around Rome is known as Lazio, and it's full of grapes and subregions> you've most likely never heard of. I can remember traveling in Italy with my sister in the summer of 1987 and landing in Frascati with the son of the proprietor of the little hotel we were staying at in Rome and his friend, Dario. They took us in a tiny, navy blue Fiat up to this lookout point in the hills surrounding Rome. It was sort of a cross between a German biergarten (with the hanging lights and picnic tables) and lots of delicious Italian food trucks. We loaded up on several share plates, got a pitcher of Frascati and had dinner overlooking Rome... one of the best memories of that trip! It's only now that I'm in the wine business, that I know that Frascati is in Lazio and that it's smack in between Rome and Cori, a village about an hour and a half southeast of Rome.

Most wines from Lazio don't make it out of Lazio (including Frascati!), but J. Strecker Selections (our direct import company) has a new line from a co-op in the village of Cori and the surrounding vineyards. All three wines are lesser-known indigenous varietals (Bellone, Nero Buono & a Nero Buono blend) showing off the wonderful work coming from this area.

First a little on Cori and this co-op:

Located about 90 minutes southeast of Rome (1 hour on the highway), the ancient town of Cori (with urban structures dating from the 5–6th centuries BC) is set among the olive groves and vineyards in the foothills of the Lepini Mountains. The village of Cori is pictured above; the winery, also located in Cori, is pictured below. As you can imagine, this town is permeated with ancient and medieval history. The winery gives the two wines in this month's club the symbolic names of Castore & Pollùce in honor of the Temple of Castor and Pollux.

Using the stamp: CINCINNATO MCMXLVII, Cooperativa Agricola Cincinnato (pictured above) was formed by a group of local farmers on the 13th of June 1947, with the purpose of processing and selling their own production. They named themselves in honor of Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, who led the Romans in battle against the Aequi in 458 BC. Following his victory, he refused honors and public offices in Rome, preferring to return to his land, which is said to have been in this area of Lazio.

Cincinnato currently has 550 hectares of land (100 of which are certified organic), and 130 member families committed to growing native grapes. The winery is also renowned for its environmental efforts including organic methods in the vineyards, a solar power system for independent power generation, and local distribution using natural gas-fueled vehicles.

The 3 new wines include Bellone (a refreshing white), Nero Buono (an easy-drinking, fruity red) & a Nero Buono, Montepulciano, Cesanese blend with a little time in oak, so smoother.

These wines are great way to go wine exploring in the new year!

Cheers to 2019!
Julie Howe, co-owner
Portalis Wine Shop & J. Strecker Selections