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Wine 101: Northern Italy and Biodynamics
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Manincor, a Biodynamic winery: historical and sustainable for generations to come
Wednesday evening, October 7th at Fratelli Lyon in Miami's Design District, taste the featured wines of Manincor presented by Matthies Jager of Alto Adige, Italy. Guests will start the evening off with a special tasting of Franciacorta Brut Rose by Contaldi Costaldi presented by Sara Pedrali of Lombardy. For reservations, call 305.572.2901.
I've always been fascinated with the culture and story of Alto Adige. Alto Adige is the northern-most region in Italy and is also known as "Sud-Tyrol" (south of Tyrol). Monday I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with a native Alto Adigen, Matthies Jager. Mattheis represents a winery from Alto Adige called Manincor, translated as "hand on heart". I was scheduled to work with Mattheis on Monday and when I arrived to the Century Hotel on South Beach, I overlooked him as I was expecting a gentleman appearing of German descent. I was surprised to see that Mattheis was your ideal "Italian" young man, perfect tan, golden brown hair, tailored shirt and trousers, and a dynamic personality. Matthies Jager's blue eyes were the only German characteristics I could point out.
Alto Adige is an area South of Tyrol, Austria. I asked Matthies to give me a quick history lesson while we drove down to south Miami to visit Harry Radcliffe at Vintage Liquors. Matthies went on to explain, "before World War I, this region belonged to Austria, then the Nazis took control of it. After the war, the Nazi's were so happy with the capture of Mussolini, that they gave South Tyrol to Italy as a thank you gift." I replied, "What a great gift, the sunnier side of the alps and amazing wine country!" Then I asked, "What's the story with the Count and Countess of Manincor, it is owned by royalty, right?" Matthies, responds at the pace of my words, "yes, yes, the Manincor family owned this land and they had a gentleman in the 1600's that took care of this land and the castle, and planted vineyards." I was a little confused and responded, "yes, I read about him, his name was Hieronymus, was he the Count?" Responding with out a break, Matthies continues, "no, he was just taking care of the land, planted the vineyards, and created the winery, 400 years ago, we celebrated the 400 year anniversary last year". Our conversations throughout the day ended up going just as that, I'd frequently ask questions, and Matthies, conducting with his hands, answered simultaneously.
After a full day of tasting through the Manincor wines at various stops in Miami, I learned that Manincor owns some of the most premium vineyards in Alto Adige. With the massive investment of the underground winery in 2002, Manincor takes their "Biodynamic" way of farming, very seriously. Biodynamics is a word that's thrown around lightly, but is actually more complex than one might know. Not only is Biodynamics a level beyond organic farming, it is an entire way of life and way of thinking. After many questions and answers with Matthies, I would sum up Biodynamics as "a substainable way of living, implementing a farming method based on the organic combination of the universe". Biodynamics not only focuses on the organic nature of the soils but it also utilizes the moon cycle as an important guide.
Manincor is translated as "hand on heart". The winery believes that the hand and the heart is what allows them to create wines of the highest quality blessed with the symphony of nature. Matthies Jager will be joining me and Aniece as the guest speaker of Course 5: Northern Italy of the "Passport through Italy", Wine Workshop, Wednesday October 7 at 7:30pm. For $45.00 guests will taste 6 different wines paired with 6 bites from the Northern regions of Italy including an impressive line up of the Biodynamic wines of Manincor. Matthies will give a short lecture and take questions on the terroir and culture of Alto Adige and biodynamics. This is an outstanding opportunity to take a trip to Italy's sunnier side of the Alps without leaving the beaches of Miami.
For more info: call 305.573.3901 for reservations or email julieswine@gmail.com or visit www.winelifestylemiami.com for private wine tastings, seminars, or events.
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