Wine from the town of Vinci
Giovanni Nencini is in charge of traveling the world promoting the Da Vinci label.
Like most Italians who travel here to promote their wine, Giovanni's English is impeccable. He understands the American market; he knows what we like to drink. He capitalizes on the fact that producers at Da Vinci Winery embrace new world styled wines.
I ask him about the movie Da Vinci Code and if the winery had any idea that there would be so much hype about a book and movie that bears the name of their wine. "We just lucked out . . . there is such a fuss about this book and movie, but when you go to any emerging market, like China and Japan, people know Leonardo, not the book. In some markets we use a self portrait of Leonardo on the label instead."
The label we know here in the United States is a drawing by Leonardo da Vinci featuring Leda, the wife of Tyndareus, King of Sparta. Legend has it that Leda was seduced by Zeus, while he was in the form of a swan. The myth portrays Leda as the mother of Helen of Troy, the most beautiful woman in the world. Supposedly, Helen was hatched from a swan egg.
Da Vinci Code enjoys phenomenal success, but Da Vinci Winery doesn't need to ride on anyone's coattails. Nencini tells me about Da Vinci Winery's milestone event, an event that positioned them in the global market.
"The wine was well known in Italy first. Then in 2001 we won the 'Wine Challenge,' which is the largest competition in the world. We were awarded the Best Red Value Wine Of The Year. The wine must be priced under 6 English Pounds [about $11 USD]. It is so competitive and since it was a Chianti that won, it sent a message to the world about what we were doing."
The new wine label and the book emerged around the same time, but Nencini points out that this was just happenstance. "The current label, with Leonardo Da Vinci's artwork, we stared about seven years ago. The name has been used by the producer since 1961. We trademarked the name in the early sixties. We are in the town of Vinci."
For those not familiar with European wine naming conventions, many regions use the name of the
village on the bottle, rather than the grape name(s). Chianti, Bordeaux, Rioja, Champagne are some of the larger regions you'll find on a bottle. The producers name is usually smaller in size than the regional name. Sometimes, the producer's name looks like an afterthought in these prestigious regions. Sancerre, Margaux, Cinque Terre, Orvieto, Touraine, and Franciacorta are some of the smaller regions in Europe using the region as the wine name, rather than the grape.
Vinci the town, is within Tuscany and specifically, Chianti, they can use Chianti on their label when naming their red wines. Vinci is not a certified wine region, but its cache is known throughout the world. Da Vinci's Sto. Ippolito Merlot-Syrah Blend is a Super Tuscan styled wine, ignoring the regulations of Chianti. Sto. Ippolito is grown within the region of Chianti, but is not allowed to call itself Chianti, because of its unapproved blend. It used to be that Super Tuscans were the black sheep of Chianti, but they now sit side by side with the very best offerings from the region.
Da Vinci outsources their pinot grigio from a little further north of Chianti, in the region of Trentino-Alto Adige, along the Alps. The northern regions of Italy are known for their pinot grigio and these regions feature the grape name on the label instead of the village. The region on these northern wines is often hard to find.
Steeped in history, mythology, and popular culture, Da Vinci Winey is a new world styled Italian producer. Its history takes place where history has taken place for thousands of years, in the sleepy village of Vinci. Stop by on Wednesday to taste these beautifully styled wines.
Case Discounts
Libations Wine & Spirits offers 10% discount on all cases of wine mix or match.
Join us most Wednesdays to sample wine, beer, and spirits in-store, at no charge.
Every Wednesday from 4:30pm to 7:00pm we pour samples for you.
Join us on selected Fridays too.
Upcoming Tasting Events
July 22nd, 2009
Some of our favorites!
Da Vinci Pinot Grigio $13.79
Rancho Zabaco Sauvignon Blanc $12.99
88 points
Wine Enthusiasts
Rancho Zabaco Zinfandel $14.99
88 Points
Wine Advocate
Santo Ippolito Merlot/Syrah Blend $38.99
90 Points
Wine Spectator
July 29th, 2009
Dog Days Cocktails!
Bacardi Mojito's $18.99
2 flavors
Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka $19.99
Coyote Gold Margarita's $23.99
As always, you will receive a 15% discount on wines,
and a 10% discount on beers during all tasting events!
SPECIAL PRICING DURING TASTING HOURS
Wednesday tasting hours are 4:30 to 7:00 pm.
Each sample is a one ounce portion to adults 21 and older.
Limit four different samples per person.
Libations Wine and Spirits is a full service liquor store serving
Aurora, Parker, Centennial, Tallyn's Reach, Saddle Rock,
Pride's Crossings, Shenandoah, Park Villas, Inverness, Meadow Hills, Foxfield,
Cottonwood, Pleasant Run, Heritage Eagle Bend and Littleton, Colorado area.
Libations has a comprehensive wine inventory, award winning beer selections,
all of your favorite spirits and few unusual items as well.
Whether you are driving from the DTC, (Denver Tech Center), downtown Denver, Parker,
Aurora, Castle Rock, Franktown or Inverness, Libations is on your way home.
We are located in Southeast Aurora, near Cherry Creek Reservoir, at Arapahoe Crossings.
Our staff are knowledgeable about wine, beer, liqueurs, and spirits, and are
always eager to serve you.
You must be 21 years or older to shop at Libations Wine & Spirits.
Libations Wine & Spirits
Arapahoe & Parker Roads
Northeast corner at Arapahoe Crossings
6554 South Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado 80016
Monday - Saturday, 10am to 10pm
Sunday from 11am to 6pm
Phone: 303-766-0575
info@libationswines.com
libationswines.com
coupon
