Searching for new, exciting wines for our stores is not always a pleasant, rewarding experience. We travel the world enduring flight delays, barely edible airline food and jet lag before we even begin our pursuit.

Once at our destination, usually a wine region or trade show, we often taste hundreds of wines before even one makes its way to our store shelves. Our selections are based on a number of factors which include the price, availability, and quality of the wine.

I don't want to create the impression that I don't enjoy seeking out new wines. In fact just the opposite is true. While there can be a lot of work and frustration involved, finding a new supplier that is willing and eager to work with us can be very gratifying.

This past spring at an Italian trade show, Brad Lewis and I had a meeting with the managing director of Terra Moretti Wines. I must admit I was only vaguely familiar with the Terra Moretti Wine Company. After tasting more than a dozen wines and discussing opportunities for our companies, it was soon apparent that the Terra Moretti wines would be a great fit for our stores.

Vittorio Moretti founded Terra Moretti Company in 1977 mainly as a hobby he was passionate about. He started making wine in the Franciacorta area of Italy for friends and family. From this passion two wineries were born in Franciacorta, Bellavista and Contadi Castaldi. Not long after two more wineries were founded in the Maremma area of Tuscany, Petra and Tenuta La Badiola.

I am proud to announce Contadi Castaldi, Petra and Tenuta La Badiola wines are now available at ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. Initial guest reaction to these highly rated, beautifully made wines has been extremely positive. If you haven't yet tried these Italian gems, stop by and ask your wine consultant to recommend one.                                

 Paul Quaglini

Follow me on Twitter @abcwinepaulq