Back to Venticano

Venticano is a tiny town in the province of Avellino, very near a sacco (bunch) of good wineries in the Taurasi, Greco di Tufo and Fiano area -- all containing DOCGs, the highest level of appellation in Italy.  We're here to finish up some final details before wine is shipped to the US, and to check out a few new wineries.  Tomorrow, a couple of meetings a winery visit and a do in Salerno celebrating the newest deep-drilling wine guide by Luciano Pignataro.  This one is about the wineries of the Salerno-Cilentano coast in the southern part of Campania.  Bruno DeConciliis is one of the best-known winemakers from this zone, but as in the rest of the region, the number and quality of wineries is increasing at a good pace.

All of this is very well, but the news from America is relentlessly grim.  From here it looks like we're having some problems -- the Italians feel like they've experienced everything shitty with regard to economics and politcis, and they have -- but to this Yank it sure seems worse than anything I've seen in my lifetime.  The problem is that we've been thinking small for such as long time that no one has the vision and courage to alter our direction and bring some justice along with hope to the American people.  No, not even Obama, Italy's universally favored change candidate (they want the old America back -- though we'll never see it).  I hear (and say) a lot about a dumb electorate -- but maybe it's because the average person has given up hope that anything can ever change for the better? 

Evidently, the proposed $700B - $1T bailout isn't too convincing to Wall Street or foreign moneymen, let alone to the "American street".  The Dow is down another couple of percent today and the dollar's recent rally is a bitter memory.  (It affects me pretty damned directly.  Wine shipments are beginning as we speak.)  Should we take our medicine in one hideous dose, struggle and endure through it, and emerge as a better country?  There's a gamble in there.  A huge one.  But after the terrible suffering of the 1930s, we did emerge as a much more just and progressive country.  I fear the gigantic bailout will not only prolong the pain but require no real change of thinking or habits.  Which would be a truly squandered opportunity.

Comments

[Doug Cook]

Yes, bad economy + weak dollar is not a good thing for those wanting to export luxury products to the US, one of the world's most important markets. However, if I recall my history, certain industries tend to do reasonably well during recessions, and traditionally, alcohol consumption has been one of them.

My *ss is on the line, too; I've spent most of my savings self-funding Able Grape for the past couple of years! (if anyone wants to put something in the tip jar while I work out my revenue programs, please see http://www.ablegrape.com/en/contrib.html ;-)

Hoping the best for all of us!

Cheers

[Doug Cook]

ps part of what i wanted to say is that you're in good shape, you have great taste and have gone out of your way to find good, characterful wines from small, interesting, out-of-the-way producers. These wines are differentiated and are likely to do well in any financial market. It's the producers of "oceans of blandness" that need to worry.

[Strappo]

Grazie mille, Doug. We are indeed trying to do just what you say. It's much harder and longer work than many would believe. Un lavoro di cuore.

Sempre avanti, excelsior, pip pip and all that.