What if I told you there is a little village, hidden in the hills of Rome, that, for one day every year, is more magical than Hogwarts and much better than Disneyland?
Well, at least for me, this fantasy exists, and it’s called “Marino”.
Marino is a cute little village (roughly 46 thousand souls) located just 30 minutes outside of Rome on the shores of a beautiful volcanic lake where every first Sunday of October, for only 24 hours, from the town square’s fountain instead of water gushes… WINE!
Believe me when I say this is an unforgettable experience… though, actually, you may forget it for obvious reasons.
The wine that is used is a delicious local grape called Cesanese (“chae-sah-NAE-say”) and I am such a fan that we import a high quality wine from it called People from Poggio le Volpi vineyards (named because it’s so good that all the people who drink it enjoy it).
Cesanese is a true, unapologetic, direct wine with flavors of alcohol-soaked cherries, red flowers, spices,and with extremely smooth tannins which holds a special place in my heart because it reminds me of my Nonno and the sunny spring Sundays when he used to bring me and my sister hiking around the Roman hills,with all their smells, the taste of fresh bread bought from the tiny bakeries, and the little sips my grandpa let me and my sister have of such a liquid delicacy.
These memories are priceless and, I must admit, every time I visit my friends at Poggio le Volpi I get a bit emotional.
Guido Lombardi
Born in Rome, Italy, Guido Lombardi developed a deep appreciation for fine wine and Italian tradition from an early age. In 2015, he brought that passion to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he founded Impero Wine NC. His mission is to introduce the richness and authenticity of true Italian wines to local tables, offering a curated selection that reflects the diverse regions and flavors of his homeland. Through Impero Wine, Guido shares not just wine, but the stories, culture, and craftsmanship behind every bottle.
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