San Francisco Bay Area : Biondivino Winemaker Tasting: Marco Dogliotti - La Caudrina A Sparkling Summer Eve with a sweet (ish)'Wild Woman

hello friends of biondivino~

This Thursday evening
the 10th of July
6 to 8pm

Marco Dogliotti
from
AZIENDA AGRICOLA
caudrina

I fell in love with moscato years ago - it is a wine that is so versatile - not only for dessert but even better on a hot sunny day - sitting in the sun with friends.

I fell in love with Romano Levi years ago, when a friend showed me his collection of Grappas from Romano. They were tucked away in a cupboard in the corner of his dining room, all of them untouched. To me, they were magical. Some, were personalized to my friend, others adorned with "La Donna Selvatica" herself.

A year ago, right before Valentine's day, Tom Switzer with Oliver McCrum Wines came in with a very special bottle. Caudrina's Moscato d'Asti Spumante "La Selvatica".
It was perfect. The wine, somewhat sweet - but not too sweet, bubbly like prosecco different than other moscatos, and then there is the story of "La Selvatica - The Wild Woman, Maria" the love (?)... of Romano Levi.

(from an interview):

"Romano, who is the wild woman? "
As a young boy I used to walk to school over the hills and through the vineyards. In amongst the vineyards there were many "ciabots" which are tiny shelters for the vinedresser's tools. The vinedressers and farmers also sheltered in these huts if there was an unexpected storm or if they had to work in the vineyards before dawn the next day. I passed by several of these huts each morning and sometimes I used to see pretty, yet dishevelled looking women leaving them. They were solitary women; a little mad that often lived on the margins of society. They were mysterious, without ties, a bit like witches and a bit fairylike. They were free like all women should be to truly enjoy life".

Today, I met Marco Dogliotti from Azienda Agricola Caudrina di Romano Dogliotti. I was very excited to meet him, not only to taste with him but to also ask the story of how the label of La Selvatica came to be on his bottles.
After introductions, I told him how much I enjoyed his wines and cut to the main question I had burning in my mind all morning "So - tell me about the label, how? what is the story? what is the relation?" (I was very excited to gain some insight and an inner story) "He is one person I would absolutely love to meet"!

Marco then informed me, "Sadly, he passed away in May."
My heart dropped, face froze and a tear spontaneously spilled out of my eye. I was at a loss, speechless, here is a stranger standing in front of me, whom I just met - conducting business and suddenly from my reaction, I think he thinks I am a loon.
"He stole my heart years ago" was all I had to and all I could say as i fumbled embarassed for a piece of tissue.

Marco then told me the story, his father was a great friend of Romano's and they had a life-long friendship. In the end, he didn't (thankfully) think I was a loon and he agreed to share his beautiful wines with us on very short notice - this Thursday evening.

This week, the weather should be gorgeous. For me, there are few things better to start off a hot, sunny, summer evening, than with a refreshing glass of sparkling moscato. Especially when it is made by one of the absolute top producers, Caudrina, and of course, if the bottle is adorned by the beautiful Maria - "La Selvatica".

_____________

I hope you will be able to join us
this Thursday
to talk with Marco and to taste
the perfect sweetness of summer

salute ~ ceri

San Francisco Bay Area Wine- Biondivino Winemaker Tasting: Marco Dogliotti - La Caudrina A Sparkling Summer Eve with a sweet (ish)'Wild Woman