When you meet an icon winemaker like Angelo Gaja you expect him to want to talk about his wines, their makeup, his vineyards \u2026 but instead we were treated to an hour long dissertation about what he has seen in his life and his 51 years in the wine business, from communism to Robert Mondavi, from artisanal winemaking to Bernie Madoff and many more topics in-between \u2013 Angelo seem to bring them all together with wit, humour, and interesting insight into his, and this, world of wine making and beyond \u2026 all-in-all it was an enjoyable hour that kept your ears on their toes (if that is even possible) \u2013 and asking yourself \u201cwhere is he going with this?\u201d But sooner or later, as the old saying goes, \u201cthe train came back to the station”. \u00a0<\/p>\n
When it was over we got to try 6 Gaja wines while Angelo stood by to answer any questions we might have.<\/p>\n
Highlights of Angelo\u2019s Talk \u2026<\/strong> The Wines \u2026<\/strong> 6 wines were tried.\u00a0 4 of the wine were rated (4+) stars including:<\/em> Top Two Wines \u2026<\/strong> \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0He is 72 years old and has spent 51 years in the wine business.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Gaja is a Spanish name but the winery is located in Italy\u2019s Piedmont region.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0The winery was started by his grandfather in 1859.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Communism and deregulation: neither system works for wine production because extremes stymie creativity
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Spoke highly of Robert Mondavi as being the most important wine man in the last 45 years: Mondavi showed that volume AND high quality was possible.\u00a0 He named things by varietal, created different levels of quality and, most importantly, he introduced wine tourism in Oakville, California (1966) \u2013 this idea found its way to Europe.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Gaja and Mondavi once spoke about a partnership, but Angelo was worried his company was too small: \u201cIt was like an elephant having sex with a mosquito, no pleasure for the elephant and dangerous for the mosquito.\u201d\u00a0 1.5 years later Mondavi partnered with Frescobaldi and created LUCE.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Comparing the grapes of Piedmont versus International or more specifically California:\u00a0 Nebbiolo has been planted in Piedmont for 800+ years, and it is not a common tasting wine, it will never reach the popularity of Cabernet or Merlot, but it does appeal to adventurous wine consumers.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0He derided the manipulation of wine in particular opulence in Cabernet Sauvignon and the search for the \u201cperfect wine\u201d and the manipulation to create such a beast.\u00a0 Elegance does not need perfection.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Climate Change:\u00a0 the first hot vintage was in 1997 which was loved by US writers, but it was the first sign it was afoot \u2026 downside: parasites are being introduced, grass is changing and old knowledge has to be integrated with the new reality.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Sees a trend of people moving back to an agricultural based lifestyle.
–\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0He has a gentleman\u2019s agreement with his children: they will not force him to retire and he will not fire them.<\/p>\n
The famous two tone label (black and white) was finally demystified: black represents the past, you can\u2019t re-write the past or write new stuff upon it.\u00a0 The white is the future, a clean slate to be written upon:\u00a0 \u201cExcellence in wine takes courage, vision and dedication.\u201d \u2013 Angelo Gaja<\/p>\n
2009 Ca\u2019Marcanda \u2018Magari\u2019 \u2013 Tuscany (Merlot, Cab Sauv, Cab Franc) – $69.95
2010 Sito Moresco \u2013 Piedmont (Nebbiolo, Merlot, Cab Sauv – $54.95
2007 Gaja \u201cDagromis\u2019 Barolo \u2013 Piedmont (100% Nebbiolo) – $79.95
2008 Gaja Barbaresco \u2013 Piedmont (100% Nebbiolo) – $159.95<\/p>\n
(find out what the top wines were and see some pictures of the event – click here<\/a>)<\/p>\n