Taste Italy - off the beaten track

Two years ago I've met at the WineExpo a group of Italian sales representatives who decided to create a project called Vini da Terre Estreme. The idea is to promote and sell wines from wineries located in different wine regions: in Italy, Spain, Croatia and other countries. The common factor is that the vineyards are located on difficult high slopes where the harvest has to be made by hand and in extreme conditions. The project concentrate on wine, but equally on people – they want to pay respect to those who decided to pursue their plan and passion, sometimes to follow a family tradition and to continue make wines risking their comfort and often their safety.

I like the idea of this project, I like the fact that someone decided to talk about these wine producers, even if they are not well-known; to explain how difficult is their job and way of living, and to help them to sell their wines.

So when I found out that the Vini da Terre Estreme project will present some wines of their wine portfolio in October in Warsaw, it seemed logical to contact them and suggest that I would like to organize a wine tasting with them for WU regular clients. The Italians liked the idea and as we found out later, the clients liked it too. Our multinational group of guests had occasion to taste over 12 wines and delicious Italian-style appetizers prepared by Lobo Bistro. They enjoyed the great and very lively atmosphere, this time there where three wine specialists who could discuss with our guest the selling concept, the story of wine producers and even some technical aspects. We’ve opened the bottles from Friuli, Sicily, Piemonte and Veneto.

The Italians didn’t actually expected such positive response to my idea, so well prepared tasting evening in very nice venue, and such friendly atmosphere. As an extra, they went home with many pictures taken by professional photographer, as a marketing summary of their visit in Warsaw.

This is what I like about such unexpected opportunities – the fantastic souvenir and enthusiastic reaction of our guests.