On almost every Friday and Saturday you can find suppliers sampling their wine and spirits in our stores. Most often the wine and spirit companies hire a representative to pour their products. Its a great way for our guest to try something they might not be familiar with.

Occasionally if the stars line up correctly, we have the good fortune of having an actual owner or winemaker present their product. Such was the case last Friday night when Count Francesco Marone Cinzano {of the famous Cinzano vermouth family} was in our Ft. Lauderdale store.

Despite his imposing name, the Count was affable and gregarious with the small crowd. It was a pleasure listening to him educate our guests about Montalcino and his wines.

Oh, yes, and the wines.

Col d'Orcia is the internationally celebrated producer of one of Italy's most revered red wines, Brunello di Montalcino. The Count's family has owned the estate since 1973, but the winemaking history dates back to the 1700s. Friday night Francesco {what he asked to be called} poured both the 2005 and 1997 vintages of Col d'Orcia. The 2005 was bright and complex with flavors of red currants, tobacco and sweet spices. The 1997 was a real treat, showing off how complex Brunello gets with age. One guest commented,"When is the last time you walk into a wine shop and the owner of a historic estate was pouring 15 year old Brunello?" I couldn't agree more.

Doing my best to get the Count to adopt me.

Paul Quaglini