Take time to note wine's importer name
More than a decade ago, a wine store clerk told us that if an Italian wine had a Leonardo LoCascio Selections brand on its label we could be pretty certain that it was of solid quality.
We've never selected a wine solely according to its importer, but we've been pleasantly surprised over the years when we buy a wine with LoCascio's name on it to find that the clerk's advice generally holds true.
So who is Leonardo LoCascio?
Through the years, we've liked to imagine a discerning old Italian roaming the back roads of Italy in search of finely crafted wines.
LoCascio actually is Italian by birth, but with a strong corporate background in America and an MBA. He heads Winebow, Inc., the importing/distribution company he founded in 1980, which now imports more than 3,000 wines from around the world, including Leonardo LoCascio Selections from more than 70 producers across Italy.
LoCascio's mission to find high-quality wines that represent good value is apparent in the products the company brings in. Leonardo LoCascio Selections run the spectrum, from everyday, easy-drinking wines to complex bottlings worthy of high praise.
Here's a sampling of our recent LoCascio finds in Pennsylvania. (You can find them by clicking on Product Search at www.lcb.state.pa.us/.)
Zardetto Prosecco Brut ($15.99) -- This zesty little bubbly, full of citrus, honey and apples comes from Conegliano in the Veneto region of Italy. Enchanting and dry, it is made from 100 percent Prosecco grapes and undergoes its second fermentation in large stainless steel containers. It is delicious on its own but can also be a terrific accompaniment to white-wine foods, including pan-seared fish.
Aminea 2005 Fiano di Avellino($14.99) -- Produced in Montemarano in Italy's Campania region, this light white has a refreshing burst of stone fruits and minerals with grassy, yet creamy undertones. It is made from 100 percent Fiano di Avellino, a variety indigenous to the region. It would pair nicely with softer cheeses and white meats served with a stone fruit salsa or compote.
Taurino Salice Salentino 2003 Rosso Riserva ($13.99) -- This interesting red from Salento in the Apulia region approaches with a rich black cherry and licorice nose. It remains quite fruity, yet dry, right through the long finish. French oak aging adds a bit of heft. It would enhance foods from pizzas to pastas to steaks.
This doesn't mean you should choose only LoCascio-labeled wines; there are other quality importers and, of course, domestically produced wines don't have importers. But make it a point to check the importer on the bottles of wine that you buy. If you find consistently good selections from one, you'll have a new filter for choosing from the thousands of bottles on store shelves.