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Friday October 1, 1999 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER 19 Verdicchio wines earn his respect The Marche Area of Italy is a pleasant mixture of gently rolling hills and valleys with a few spots remaining that are not planted with grape vines. It is here that the white Verdicchio grape has been at home for the past 2,000 years or so, and just like the local inhabi­ tants, the wine produced from this grape vari­ ety is clean, honest and u n a s s u m i n g , and downright friendly if taken with food. I have been in this region now * I for a few days and believe me, the food and the wine that accompanies the local dishes, play a major part in the daily lives of the Italians. For some reason my hosts feel that I too must be converted. Mind you, I am not fighting it too much over the many three-hour lunches these past few days. I never knew Verdicchio very well before visiting this region. Not that I did not like it, its availability was rather spot­ ty in Ontario at best and few restaurants that served it as a house wine mentioned the grape variety. Straw yellow, always dry with a very pleasant bitterness that at times reminds me of almonds, a good Verdicchio has a very delicate flowery nose and a clean and slightly fruity body. Such wines are great aperitifs before a meal and outstanding companions to most seafood dishes. What really impressed me however these past few days, was the fact that I never once minded the acidity in the wine, in spite of sampling nearly a 100 different ones a day. Back in Canada few seem to under­ stand those regional wines. Indeed I was told before I even went not to expect great wines, but merely to expect the ordinary, although decent quality, white wines. Still I found some worthy and differ­ ent wines these past few days in Marche. "The region is on the move," as Massimo Bemetti, the owner of Umani Wines near Ancona, told me as he proud­ ly showed me several hectares of experi­ mental grape vines. I couldn't resist thinking of the Kaisers, Ziraldos and the Reifs back in Ontario, the winemakers who pioneered the industry. No doubt it takes some Bemetti's here in Marche to achieve the extraordinary from the traditional. I tasted some of his wines and there is no doubt that one day we shall have his wines available in Ontario. While Massimo experiments with different clones and blends, Sabina Girotti at her nearby small 14 ha San Biagio winery, has managed to elevate the ordinary to something special by managing the traditional varieties her own way. As a result she has achieved wines that are higher in fruit than others, wines which most certainly can compete on the international market. Belisario Winery and Bisci Winery in Metalica, as well as La Monacesca in Civitanova are also producing white wines of above average quality. The potential most certainly is there, but more so I have learned as well, a Verdicchio is something to take a better look at the next time I choose a wine back home. Finally the wine that has been around for two thousand years has gained my attention and more so, my respect. ALEX EBERSRAECHER Wine Cellar a U D G S Win th is _ W ideLot" Dream Home. Value: $360,755 Win this NEW 2000 BMW Z3 Roadster Value: $52,785 'si In v e stin g in C o m m u n ity 3 E a sy W ays to g e t y o u r t ic k e ts to W IN ! Name MAIL this order form to: Great Dream Home Lottery, P.O. Box 84026,1235 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville, ON L6H3J0 Prov. Great prizes like the Spectacular Dream Home, all-inclusive VOCtttlOHS to Tahiti, Jamaica, Mexico, a $32,000dittTHOTld TXTlf* and R E ! Tickets just $40 each or 3 for $100. When you play, we all win! All proceeds benefit the Community Foundation of Oakville, making grants this year to the Oakville-Trafelgar Memorial Hospital Charitable Corp. and the Oakville YMCA. Get your tickets now! CALL 1 888 535-7777 8 to 8 weekdays and 9 to 3 Saturdays. Have your VISA or MasterCard ready! Early Bird Draw: 6 pm November 12, 1999 at Budds' BMW. Final Draws 7 pm December 3, 1999 at Glen Abbey Mattamy Sales Pavilion, Oakville. R U S H O R D E R F O R M Please rush me: ( ___ ) set(s) of 3 tickets for Address $100 per set = $ Postal Code FAX this order form to: 905 845-1395 CALL toll-free 1 888 535-7777 J -A or locally 905 845-2010 ( ___ ) individual tkket(s) for $40 per ticket = $ _________ TOTAL $ _________ METHOD OF PAYMENT Q cheque (enclosed) □ money order (enclosed) □ VISA □ MasterCard Card # Expiry date C!E£ o n g£L The Oskville Beaver Cardholder's Name Signature_________ O B O r L icence • P990974 A ll in q u iries, if any, on th e 'o dd s o f w in n in g ' are to be m ade to th e licen see, p rio r to th e p urchase o f th e ticket/s.