The Flipboard magazine “LIQUOR INDUSTRY NEWS 11-12-25,” curated by The Wonderful World of Wine (WWW) / @MarkLenzi, covers several topics related to the wine industry.
The most recent stories in the magazine focus on:
Global Production: Global wine production has reportedly grown slightly in 2025, recovering from a 60-year low, though vineyards continue to face challenges from extreme weather driven by climate change.
Wine Classification: There is a discussion on the question of whether rosé can be considered a fine wine.
Wine Expertise and Enjoyment: Articles include a comprehensive guide on “The Art of Spitting” wine for professional tasting, and a podcast episode featuring “The Umami King,” Tim Hanni MW.
Seasonal Pairing: Several stories offer advice on wine selection for the Thanksgiving holiday, providing easy pairing suggestions from experts and encouraging readers to relax about their choices.
At this tasting we will explore wines that will be great to pair on Valentines Day.
Mix of types and styles to get you in the ready for the big day.
Lets taste and explore.
About Shanley
Shanley is a lifelong resident of Massachusetts. She holds degrees in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales and Bachelors in Hospitality Management from Endicott College. She is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers and has over a decade of experience working with the wine programs of such restaurants as Legal Sea Foods, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse and Gibbet Hill Grill. In her spare time she enjoys snowboarding, sailing and hockey.
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
750ml $19.99
Wine #2
2014 Caldaro-Schiava
750ml $19.99
Wine #3
2011 Sartori Regolo-Corvina
750ml $23.99
Wine #4
N/V Villa Sandi-Prosecco
750ml $15.99
Wine #5
N/V Bellagio Rosso Dolce-Lambrusco
750ml $11.99
Wine #6
2014 Cecchi Chianti Classico-Sangiovese
750ml $16.99
Wine #7
2014 Casal Farento Verdicchio dei Jesi
750ml $14.99
Wine #8
2014 Poggio Anima Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
750ml $17.99
Wine #9
2014 Fratelli Urciuolo -Aglianico
750ml $14.99
Wine #10
2013 Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria-Zibibbo
There’s something about the Rhone River flowing 600 miles through the Southeast part of France that is so romantic. The wines are juicy and food friendly. The sun is shining. AND – the people seem to be incredibly happy. No wonder the Popes came here for 60 years during the 14th century!! Take a Rhone River journey with Jo-Ann Ross as we taste some exquisite wine examples from this region.
About Jo-Ann
Jo-Ann Ross is a lifelong wine enthusiast with considerable formal wine education. As a leading US based expert, Jo-Ann is frequently invited by the French Government to come and learn about their wines and related cultures. As an enthusiastic traveller to worldwide wine growing regions, she always brings this firsthand appreciation of the wines to her multi-sensory presentations. Jo-Ann’s classes are more educational and engaging than a typical wine tasting or lecture. Her passion for wine and teaching is evident in her professional, enthusiastic style that ensures that everyone leaves her wine events with valuable information and fond memories of the experience. An active member of the National Speakers Association, Jo-Ann has over 30 years of professional speaking training and has delighted corporate and private audiences in numerous venues
The Boston Winery was created by wine pioneer and vintner Raffaele Bruno in 2006. Mr. Bruno grew up in Abruzzi, Italy crafting fine wines with his forefathers. Rafaelle samples every vintage of wine, which is produced by his oldest grandson. All Boston Winery wines are produced Bio-dynamically, using grape sourced from
As one of the Willamette Valley’s oldest wineries Torii Mor started with the vision to pursue elegant, Old World style wines in 1993. Jacques Tardy, 5th generation winemaker from Nuits St Georges, has been producing our wines with elegance and balance for nearly 15 years. The name Torii Mor derives from the Torii gate in the property’s Japanese garden and the ancient Scandinavian word for earth. Together the name is a nod to Pinot’s expression of terroir and connection to the earth. Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir.
Hanzell is one of California’s iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producers. Established in 1948 with the vision “to produce wines equal to the finest in the world” our Estate sits atop the Mayacamas Mountains in Sonoma Valley’s Moon Mountain AVA. 46 acres of vineyard are planted on a 148 acre estate. Hand tended vineyards, hand harvested and hand sorted grapes, making the way for exceptional wines. In 2012 we introduced our “Sebella” Chardonnay from younger vines and made in a more modern style.
The Ciders:
It is from the 2nd and 3rd generations of apple farmers that Snowdrift Cider was born. This 2 ingredient beverage is hand crafted from a variety of tree-ripened apples and fermented with Champagne yeast. Modeled after the dry, English ciders, our Cornice is partially aged in used whisky barrels and our Red is crafted from red-fleshed apples. Both are dry on the palate and offer clean, crisp apple flavors. From the heart of Washington State apple country and available in only 7 states!
About Our Guest Host:
Judy Lebel, CSW, Founder
Judy began her wine career in San Diego, presenting boutique wines to restaurants and hotels, where she brought not only great wines to their tables, but her unique experience working with and learning directly from founders of California wineries.
A move to Ohio spurred her love affair with European wines and she launched several new wine labels. After that, a series of promotions working for Robert Mondavi brought her to Boston via the Northwest. In 2005, the Raymond family brought Judy in to manage their Northeast portfolio.
In 2010, with over twenty years of industry experience behind her, Judy realized the BEST way to fulfill her passion for enjoying fine wine and great food with interesting people (while still paying the rent!) was to embark on her greatest adventure yet. Best Year Ever Wine Agency was born.
At Best Year Ever, Judy helps wine companies and distributors define and achieve their sales goals while respecting their brand and company image. She is a proud recipient of the title “Certified Specialist of Wine” from the Society of Wine Educators, an education organization whose mission is to advance wine education through professional development and certification.
With its close ties to the land for the past seven generations, the Zonin family heads the largest private vine growing and winemaking company in Italy (and one of the most important in Europe as well.)
The heart of the company is located in Gambellara, in the province of Vicenza, an oasis of lush green hills, meticulously arranged vineyards, and also the ancestral home of the Zonin family.
Today the Zonin family honor their family’s historical passion for the vineyard, the sine qua non for producing high-quality wines, by including “Vintners since 1821” on their logo.
About Our Host:
Francesco Rabellino was born in Ventimiglia, on the Italian Riviera and raised between the rugged Ligurian shorelines and the gentle slopes of Dolcetto in the Langhe Region. Francesco left his native country in his early 20ies and developed a strong multicultural background throughout his travels, becoming fluent in 5 languages
A true wine and food aficionado, Francesco has been a strong promoter in the US of his country’s traditions and of the Italian excellence for decades. Among other endeavors, Mr. Rabellino has been a restauranteur in NYC in the 1990’s, and his Ligurian restaurant “Cinque Terre” was awarded 2-stars from the New York Times.
Francesco has excelled in the wine business for 20 years, the past 11 of which with his current employer, Zonin USA. His position today is northeast division manager, overseeing all aspects of business development in NY and the northeast region.
It was in 1725 that Irishman Thomas Barton settled in Bordeaux to start his company, which is today the city’s oldest winehouse still in activity… His grandson Hugh teamed up with Frenchman Daniel Guestier and in 1802 their partnership became official. From the Chartrons area in the center of Bordeaux, barrels and bottles were loaded on board of ships that sailed via the Garonne river to numerous countries, starting with Ireland, England, Holland and the USA to reach over 130 countries at present.
Chris Ferraro is the New England Sales Director for Barton & Guestier USA. This is his third year with the brand, which itself dates back to 1725 and was the first company to ship French wine to the United States, imported by none other than Thomas Jefferson, himself. Prior to working in the beverage industry, Chris spent 3 years doing national sales for Banco Santander. Before the excursion into finance, Chris was a manager and hospitality consultant for 8 years with restaurants including Erbaluce, Mistral, Teatro, and Restaurant L. He graduated from Tufts University with a degree in International Relations.
Proemio – Prologue in old Medieval Spanish, stands for kick- start or first page. This is indeed the beginning of the winery’s story. In 2001, Marcelo Bocardo, third generation winemaker and the descendant of a traditional Italian immigrant family founded Proemio with the goal of producing high quality wines that truly represent his ancestors’ passion for viticulture and a legacy for the generations to come.
Proemio Wines are unique due to the personality imposed on them. They assure an important grape concentration with selective extraction of aromas, tannins and poly-phenols. All these processes aim at giving excellent volume, body and structure. Outstanding vineyards, passionate people, experience and friendship come together in the creation of their wines. Finally, aging is carried out in the finest French oak accompanied by a long bottling period.
Claudio Andreani (US Brand Ambassador) of Tenute Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari of Tuscany, a great portfolio that includes Nozzole in Chianti Classico, La Fuga in Montalcino, TorCalvano in Montepulciano as well as Campo al Mare in Bolgheri.
“The Folonari family has been making wine since the late eighteenth century. In 1825 the family-owned business took the name “Fratelli Folonari” and adopted the mission of developing, producing and distributing the finest Italian wines throughout the world. In 1912, Italo Folonari – Ambrogio Folonari’s grandfather – and his brother Francesco purchased the Ruffino company in Tuscany that was famous for its Chianti wine in straw-covered flasks. After World War II, major changes in terms of economic development and improving standards of living began taking place in Italy. This also affected the wine industry where the Folonari family and Ambrogio in particular were among the first to promote this trend by producing new, high quality wines that contributed to creating the “new frontier” of the Italian wine. Ambrogio and his father Giovanni own some of the top Tuscan estates in Tuscany’s main appellations such as Nozzole in Chianti Classico, La Fuga in Montalcino, TorCalvano in Montepulciano, Cabreo in Panzano as well as Campo al Mare in Bolgheri.”
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