MASI® CELEBRATES THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF
MASI CAMPOLONGO DI TORBE
The First Family of Amarone commemorates the first-ever, single-vineyard Amarone
On February 21, 2008 at 7 pm, an select group of wine and life-style writers were blessed with the opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Masi Campolongo di Torbe, the first-ever single vineyard Amarone, and preview Masi’s 2001 single vineyard Amarone cru.
The event took place in a private room with a mere dozen seats at Adour, the new Alain Ducasse restaurant in the St. Regis Hotel in New York City.
Hosted by Dottore Sandro Boscaini, the executive chef of the restaurant created an elaborate series of dishes, each designed to compliment this unique wine, the most interesting feature of which, is that it is a new-style Amarone, focusing on the wines freshness and compatibility with food and omitting the “oxidized” component that normally accompanies the traditional Amarones.
The results were not only enlightening but proved why Amarone is becoming the new “hot” wine on the international scene. More importantly, the new-style Amarone has managed to retain its own identity and not succumb to the siren call of the Cabaret-California forward-fruit-global style.
The Wine List included:
Masianco 2006
Campolongo di Torbe, ’01, ’00, ’99, ’98, ’93, ’90, ‘88
Costasera Amarone, ‘04, ’97 (in 3 litre)
For seven generations, the Boscaini family has guided Masi® Agricola Winery in the creation of some of the most distinguished wines from the Veneto region of northeastern Italy. Masi has been a pioneer in the specialized production of Amarones using the ancient technique of “appassimento,” drying of the grapes, which has established the winery as the area’s preeminent Amarone producer and leading purveyor of single-vineyard Amarones. In 2008, Masi celebrates the 50th anniversary of its Campolongo di Torbe, the first-ever single vineyard Amarone.
The History of Single-Vineyard Amarone
Masi pioneered the single-vineyard Amarone concept in the Venetian region in the early 1950s when the Masi Technical Group began researching vineyards to find those with optimal exposure, soil and altitude to produce the finest Amarone. Campolongo di Torbe was selected for the first single-vineyard Amarone, with the first vintage produced in 1958. A second single-vineyard Amarone, Mazzano was created in 1967 and released in 1972; and a third, Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron 1979, was introduced in 1983.
This month Dottore Sandro Boscaini will preview Masi’s 2001 single vineyard Amarone crus: Campologno di Torbe, Mazzano, and Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron. Each of these wines, expressive of Masi’s innovative wine craftsmanship and adherence to Venetian values, hold distinguishable traits: the Campolongo Di Torbe Amarone Classico, a rich wine with elegance and finesse; the Mazzano, aged in small oak barrels and with the stamina to cellar for decades; Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron, an extraordinarily rich and complex wine capable of long ageing.
“Campolongo di Torbe is one of our most elegant Amarone crus” said Dottore Sandro Boscaini, Masi president. “The grapes are cultivated on a historic vineyard known for producing superb wines since the 12th century. The 2001 vintage presents a shifting illusion of sweetness throughout, but always in perfect harmony with the power of this cru wine.”
Under the guidance of the Masi Technical Group, the winery has become known for its specialization in ancient methods of winemaking from dried grapes, the development of single vineyards and the creation of modern Amarone. Focusing primarily on indigenous grape varietals, Masi produces a wide range of high-quality wines with discernible personalities, each a perfect balance of traditional Venetian methods and contemporary winemaking practices. The Masi production strategy emphasizes the traits of each single product, while maintaining a recognizable Venetian style.
About Masi Agricola
Masi Agricola’s portfolio of modern wines with an ancient heart includes Costasera Amarone Classico, Campofiorin Ripasso, Brolo di Campofiorin, Masianco Pinot Grigio and Verduzzo, and Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico. In addition, Masi produces Serego Alighieri Vaio Armaron Amarone from grapes grown exclusively on the historic estate of Count Serego Alighieri, a descendant of the poet Dante Alighieri.
About Rémy Cointreau USA, Inc.
Established in 1981, Remy Cointreau USA is a subsidiary of Remy Cointreau, SA, and is charged with importing and distributing an extensive portfolio of premium and ultra premium spirits and wines. Headquartered in New York City, Remy Cointreau USA imports and distributes products within the United States from the full range of the wine and spirits spectrum, including cognacs, brandies, liqueurs, scotches, rums, gins, champagnes and both still and sparking wines. Exclusive brands include Remy Martin(R) Cognac, Cointreau(R) Liqueur, The Macallan(R) Scotch Whisky, The Famous Grouse(R) Scotch Whiskey, Highland Park(R) Scotch Whiskey, Russian Standard(R) Vodka, Imperia(R) Vodka, Damrak(R) Gin, Mount Gay(R) Rum, Metaxa(R) Greek Liqueurs, Champagne Piper- Heidsieck(R), Champagne Charles Heidsieck(R), Merryvale(R), Masi(R) Agricola, Vietti(R), Ricasoli(R), Jacopo Biondi Santi(R), Laroche(R), Piper Sonoma(R) and Bearboat(R) Wines
