People sometimes don't think that wine importers are very important, that all they do is have crates of wine shipped in from who-knows-where to be peddled on the shelves in the lower reaches. The best importers are those with a nose for wine, who can sniff out good stuff through endless trials, then bring the product to us. Great importers like
Kermit Lynch and
Terry Theise are as important and as recognizable as great producers.
Mack and Schühle are Miami-based importers who find great wine and pass it along at a price that is more than fair. Founded in 1939, the company expanded to the Miami office eight years ago. They produce wine in Italy and Spain and distribute other wines globally.
Art of Earth Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2019
The certified organic grapes for this bottle were grown in the light, sandy loam of Abruzzo DOC in eastern Italy, between the Adriatic sea and the Apennine Mountains. The variety is full, 100% Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, the wine hits a reasonable 13.5% abv on the alcohol scale and it retails for $12.
This wine certainly smells like it is the art of the earth. There are abundant minerals to go along with the ripe, red cherry aromas and the sweet oak on the nose. The palate follows suit and lays in a racy acidity on top of the firm tannins. Spaghetti Bolognese would be a nice pairing, but I had mine with a pork chop and loved it.
That's where my Italian family lives! Go Abruzzo!
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