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Franklin Wine Club 10 Grape Varietals To Understand Italy

10 Grape Varietals To Understand Italy

Education And Tasting Event

Thursday November 17th 2016

Host Ciro Pirone

Italy is a country with thousands years history of viticulture that through the various colonization’s and cultures has translated into hundreds of different cultivars (exactly 497 according to the Italian Ministry of Agriculture), multiple ways of interpreting the local history and traditions that brings us today the most exciting and ever changing wine scene. I picked 10 out of the so many varietals, from some of most recognized such as Nebbiolo from the north to the least familiar and exotic like Zibibbo from the south.

About Ciro

Ciro Pirone, Director of Italian Wines for Horizon Beverage Company, is a graduate of the Istituto Alberghiero (Hotel and Restaurant Management school) of Salerno, Italy and a Certified Italian Wine Specialist by the NASA (North American Sommelier Association affiliated with the Italian Sommelier Association). Traveling and working in Italy, England and the US, Ciro developed an incredible passion for wine, food and culture. After all, growing up in Italy, wine was always a very important part of his family’s lifestyle and traditions. In 1999, Ciro moved to the US permanently. He landed in Boston, where he continued his wine studies at Boston University, the International Sommelier Guild, the London –based Wine & Spirits Educational Trust (WSET), as well as he completed and passed with Honors the Italian Wine Specialist Certification by the North American Sommelier Association (part of the worldwide recognized Italian Sommelier Association).

In 2007, Ciro accepted the position of Italian Wine Specialist for Horizon Beverage. After successful growth at HBC, Ciro accepted on a new challenge as the US Brand Manager for the Arnaldo Caprai Winery of Montefalco (Umbria), the top producer of worldwide recognized Sagrantino di Montefalco. In June 2011, Ciro returned to Horizon Beverage with a new position of Director of Italian Wines in support of their expanding presence in the New England marketplace. Ciro is happy to share his passion for Italian wine and culture in an effort to give the American wine consumer a better understanding and appreciation for Italian wine!

The Wines:

Wine #1

2013 Chiarlo Nebbiolo Il Principe