Great Stories And Great Bottles

Much has been said (and written) about whether it is the story behind the wine that compels us to buy and drink it, or whether this idea of storytelling is overdone and should be set aside in favor of more straightforward tasting notes and descriptors. I certainly don’t think that a great story can make a bad wine good, but I do believe that the extra dimension added by understanding the people behind a wine can elevate an already good wine to the status of truly memorable.

When it comes to storytelling, I know no one who does a better job than my friend Jay Murrie, owner of Piedmont Wine Imports. Jay has built PWI around the ethos of making genuine, personal connections with winemakers and cultivating long-standing relationships with a growing collection of small, family-run wineries that are all abiding by some combination of organic, biodynamic, and environmentally sustainable practices. In other words, there is not a single wine in the PWI portfolio that would disappoint you if you are the kind of person who likes to know about the people growing the grapes and feel good about the vineyard practices behind your bottle. Delightfully, though, Jay’s wines also are the kind that you are certain to enjoy drinking even if you don’t particularly care about the aforementioned extra context.

Today, I am highlighting two bottles from the PWI portfolio that fit into that ideal category which bridges the gap between wines that have a great story and wines that are just plain great.

2022 Giovanni Almondo 'Bricco della Ciliegie' Roero Arneis $27

An outstanding white wine from the Piedmont, a region best known for its powerful reds. The Almondo family has a deeply-rooted (and deeply-respected) history in Roero, dating back to the 14th century. This is a certified organic single-vineyard bottling reminiscent of great Chablis. The nose is full of ripe pear, lemon, and white flowers, with a pleasant chalky minerality. Fresh and vibrant with a creamy texture and almond and saline undertones, this is a wine that other winemakers in the Piedmont drink at home, and so should you.

2017 Pian dell'Orino 'Vigneti del Versante' Brunello di Montalcino $159

One of the most respected estates in the region, Pian dell’Orino exclusively grows Sangiovese (22 different clones) and they take the practice of biodynamics very seriously. All vineyard work is dictated by the lunar phases and natural rhythms of the earth and there is a concerted effort to protect and promote the biodiversity of the property. The 2017 ‘Vigneti del Versante’ is the product of a difficult weather year, with very low yields that produced a beautifully concentrated wine with the potential to age many years. It is full-bodied without being heavy, ripe with purple flowers, cherry, wet stone, mushroom, and leather. Enjoy now or cellar for up to twenty years.


Did one (or more) of these wines pique your interest? There are multiple ways to order with us! If you place your purchase through our online store, we’ll be happy to package and hold your bottles for you to pick up at your convenience. You can also email us and ask us to set aside any bottles you’re interested in picking up at a later date. If you have any questions or would like to make special arrangements such as shipping, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (919) 644-1243.