Events

International competition ’Emozioni dal Mondo: Merlot e Cabernet insieme’
November 2005

Under the patronage of the Organisation Internationale de la Vigne et du Vin (OIV), Italy hosted the first international competition ’Emotions from around the world: Merlot and Cabernet together’ on 24-26 November.

Bergamo, located in the northern part of the country, became the city to host the event. Bergamo province has traditionally made wines with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and its Valcalepio DOC production zone is often referred to as ’little Bordeaux’.

Consortium of Valcalepio wines was the initiator and organizer of the competition that drew 18 international experts from 10 countries. Varietal and blended wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot with production volume over 1,000 bottles and quality level of IGT/DOC/DOCG (or corresponding names in other countries) were admitted. Still dry, sparkling, sweet and fortified wines from the 2 grapes could enter the competition.

The evaluation was based on OIV methods with a hundred point system. Grand gold medal was given to wines scored over 90 points, gold medal — 85-89 points, silver medal — 80-84 points.

One hundred and three samples from 7 countries, with a heavy representation of Italian wines, were entered. There were mainly wines of 2003 vintage, although the variation went from 1999 to 2004. The competition resulted in one wine getting a grand prix, 16 gold and 13 silver medals.

Grand gold medal
Cavit Quattro Vicariati 2001 Trentino DOC (Italy)

Gold medals
Cantina Monti Malcantone Rosso dei Ronchi 2003 Rosso del Ticino DOC (Switzerland)
Case Paolin — Pozzobon Emilio San Carlo 2003 Montello e Colli Asolani Superiore DOC (Italy)
Sant’Elena Tato 2001 Venezia Giulia IGT (Italy)
Conte Umberto Emo Capodilista Villa Capodilista 1999 Colli Euganei DOC (Italy)
Girolamo Dorigo Mantsclapade 2001 Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC (Italy)
Borgo La Gallinaccia 2004 Sebino IGT (Italy)
Cantina Sociale du Avio 2002 Trentino DOC (Italy)
Cavit Maso Toresella 2002 Trentino DOC (Italy)
Rosi Eugenio Viticoltore Artigiano Esegesi 2000 Trentino DOC (Italy)
Lurani Cernuschi 2003 Valcalepio DOC (Italy)
Ktima Biblia Cora Biblia Cora 2003 Regional red wine of Pangeon (Greece)
Castello di Grumello Colle Calvario Riserva 2001 Valcalepio DOC (Italy)
Aldeno San Zeno Riserva 2000 Trentino DOC (Italy)
Cantine Monfort Donna Marina 2003 Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT (Italy)
Cantina Cavallini Quaranta 2003 Ticino DOC (Switzerland)
Luciano Landi Goliardo 2001 Marche IGT (Italy)

Within the competition, ’Merlot and Cabernet: The world geniuses of red wines’ round table was help with participation of OIV experts. Caberbet Sauvignon/Merlot scenarios were presented for different winemaking regions. Also the round table featured results of sensory analysis of Bordeaux, Chile and Valcalepio wines based on the two grapes.

The wines of the competition were later offered to public at the open tasting.