Earlier this year I discovered a small winery from a region not known for its wines. Il Conti Villa Prandone, located near Monteprandone in southern portion of the Marche region along Italy’s Adriatic coast.
Emmanuel DeAngelis (from the winery) and Joe Zappasodi (representing the importer) led the tasting. Emmanuel was in Cincinnati visiting the importer (Regional Imports), which Joe’s father (Frank, a Marche native) started as a way to get Il Conte wines into the U.S. market. As one of the more enjoyable tastings I attended in 2008, I discovered 3 delightful whites and 3 outstanding reds.
Il Conte Reds
To me, the biggest prize of the day was Rosso Piceno. This 50-50 blend of Sangiovese and Montepulciano, wasn’t the best wine, but it was the best value ($12). A pleasant, dry wine with blackberry and black cherry flavors gives us a delightful and affordable wine that is suitable for both casual, everyday use and entertaining friends.
Il Conte Piceno Superiore “Marinus”, composed of 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese, was a step up in quality, but also in price ($17).
Il Conte “Zipolo” was the absolute taste king of the event.
60% Montepulciano, 20% Sangiovese, 20% Merlot ($27)
Il Conte Whites
Italian white wines are generally light, fruity, but with a refreshing hint of acidity for crispness. Il Conte has three wines fitting this description. Although these types of wines aren’t usually on my radar, I tasted each of these and was impressed.
- Il Conte Aurato Bianco 2006, 30% passerina, 40% trebbiano, 30% pecorino $9.00
- Il Conte Navicchio Bianco 2006, 100% pecorino $15
- Il Conte Marche Passerina, 100% passerina ($27)
Epilogue
As many wine buyers stay with the same wines, I’m much more daring. Since the world of wine offers so much, I’m one who likes to try different items. After all, I have yet to purchase a bottle that I couldn’t finish. Maybe I wouldn’t buy it again, but they didn’t go down the drain. Interesting, Il Conte Rosso Piceno is the only wine I have purchased by the case. As matter of fact, I’m on my second case.
This past October we cruised from Vancouver to San Diego When in San Diego, we had a delightful meal at Buon Appetito located in Little Italy. I didn’t see Il Conte Rosso on the wine list, but as we were leaving I noticed Il Conte Rosso displayed on the shelf. So for those in the San Diego area or travelers to that beautiful city, give it a try.
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Can you tell me who is the distributor for the Il Conte Zipolo in Connecticut USA.
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Mike,
Thanks for visiting. No guarantee of success, but I will see if I can uncover the answer to your question. Zipolo is wonderful! Hope you return to visit this site.
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Mike,
Sorry to say that Il Conte does NOT have a Connecticut distributor. On the other hand, the key question is which nearby state does. I’m on the case because Zipolo is wonderful.
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Mike,
Here’s the best I can do – Massachusetts distributor.
Masciarelli wine company
144 More Road
Weymouth, MA 02189
Mr. Joseph Spagnuolo
Joe [at] masciarelliwine.com
Tel. 781. 335.6620
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I discovered Il Conte at a wine tasting put on by the proprietor a few years ago in Cincinnati. Have been hooked ever since. Whenever I want to impress dinner guests who are “in the know” when it comes to wine, I break out a bottle of the Marinus. It;s a big hit every time!
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Jason,
Awesome. We love Rosso as a great value, but ZIpolo is a knock-the-socks-off wine. Interestingly, we may have been at the same tasting, but I know the winemaker went to several stores for tastings. Thanks for stopping by and commenting … hope you come by again.
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That was really a delightful and informative post!
Frank,
thanks so much for letting me know this winery from my region!
I will try to get in touch with “Il Conte Villa Prandone” since I would really love to know more about their wines. I’ll keep you posted!
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As the date shows, this post is an old one, but we enjoyed these wines. Unfortunately, the store where we bought them stopped carrying them. Being in a city, maybe I can find it again. Meanwhile, I hope you make contact with them as I would enjoy your post about them.
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