Wine With Wanda

Red, White & Romantic: Sartori di Verona Unveils Love Story Wines

The Love Story collection includes sparkling Soave, Pinot Grigio, Rosé, and Pinot Noir. 

The acclaimed Italian winery Sartori di Verona has bottled their passion for wine and romance into a charming new collection called Love Story. Founded in 1898, Sartori di Verona is an epic story of the Sartori family's unwavering commitment to winemaking and deep love for their city of Verona.

The setting for Shakespeare's classic tale of star-crossed lovers, Romeo & Juliet, romance is an integral part of Verona's identity. Verona is also a wine lover's paradise. Located in the Veneto region, Verona is surrounded by some of Italy's most important wine regions; including Valpolicella and Soave. Captivating, elegant, and vibrant; Verona is a magical city and Love Story wines are a delicious homage. And maybe you can't buy love, but a bottle of Love Story wine only costs $14 - $16. Love Story wines are affordable but don't skimp on quality. After all, the name Sartori is on every bottle! 

Love Story Sparkling Soave DOC ($16)
Romance and sparkling wine are a perfect pair! Pop the cork and get the spark ignited with this crisp and charming sparkling Soave. 100% Garganega, this fresh and flirty dry bubbly has lively apple, citrus, and nectarine flavors with fine bubbles.  Easygoing and elegant! 



Love Story Pinot Grigio 2017 DOC ($14)
This Pinot Grigio has molto personality! Incredibly crisp and juicy with fresh melon & citrus flavors, impressive minerality, and a finish as long as a great kiss! 



Love Story Rosé 2017 ($14)
There's something unabashedly coquettish about rosé; the pink hue really seduces the eye. Pale pink like ballet slippers, Love Story Rosè is a lovely blend of Corvina, Rondinella, and Molinara; the same grapes that are used in the traditional Amarone blend. Fresh and graceful with subtle flavors of cherry, strawberry, and watermelon; this summer sip is delightfully dry and fruity. 



Love Story Pinot Noir 2015 ($14)
A beautifully balanced Pinot Noir with rich dark cherry flavors and hints of peppery spice, clove, and earthy black tea leaves. Luscious and smooth with vibrant acidity. You can even serve this slightly chilled on a steamy day. A really impressive red at any price point. 

Five Fabulous Italian White Wines That Aren't Pinot Grigio!

Is Pinot Grigio your go-to Italian white wine? Well, the time has come to shake things up and explore some other varietals! Italy has a seemingly endless selection of expressive and refreshing white wines. Get out of your Pinot Grigio rut and give one of these five beauties a swirl. 


Bertani "Sereole" Soave DOC ($15.99)
Ah, Soave! I love the sound of it and the taste even more! Produced from the Garganega grape, this luscious sip from the Veneto region is bursting with aroma, flavor, and texture. Elegant yet unpretentious, this vino's juicy flavors of pineapple and melon are balanced by refreshing crispness and acidity. 

Puiatti "Lus" Ribolla Gialla ($22.99)
Puiatti is renowned for their superb un-oaked white wines that elegantly express the terroir of the Friuli region in northeast Italy. Lus means light and this expression of the indigenous Ribolla Gialla grape shimmers in the glass and sparks the palate with fresh flavors of chamomile, zesty acidity, and a hint of herbs.  

Velenosi "Villa Angela" Pecorino Offida DOCG ($15)
This elegant sip from the Marche region shares the same name as Italy's famous Pecorino cheese but there's nothing cheesy about this vino. A lovely expression of the Pecorino grape, Villa Angela delights the palate with balanced fruit, floral, tropical, and mineral flavors.  

Cecchi "La Mora" Vermentino DOC 2014 ($19.99)
Sip the Tuscan sun with this joyful Vermentino from the coastal Maremma region. You can taste the coastal influences in its subtle hint of salinity and crunchy minerality that accentuate the exuberant flavors of citrus, chamomile, honeysuckle and nectarine with a bit of white pepper on the finish. 

Tabarrini Adarmando ($19)
The Trebbiano Spoletino grape gets the spotlight in this superb sip from the hills of Sagrantino in Umbria. Medium-bodied and juicy with exuberant flavors of peach and a touch of citrus. Tastes like summer!  

Connected by the Vine: Women in Wine Leadership Symposium

Madeline Triffon, Master Sommelier, was the energetic and engaging moderator for the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium. Madeline was the second woman in the world to pass the rigorous Master Sommelier exam. 

The best wines don't just transmit flavors but connect us to places, cultures, and each other. From the vineyard to our local wine shop, there are legions of people working tirelessly to keep the wine flowing in our lives and women are a vital part of the industry.


On October 17th, the 5th annual Women in Wine Leadership Symposium was held in New York City and provided a special opportunity for female winemakers, writers, sommeliers, retailers, and educators to gather together for an empowering day of inspiration, education, and wonderful wines. This invitation-only event was hosted by The Winebow Group and produced by Cornerstone Communications. 


As a first-time attendee of the symposium, I was thrilled to be surrounded by so many dynamic and successful women with a shared passion and professional commitment to wine. When I first started blogging, women in the wine industry were the ones who opened doors for me. Overwhelmingly, women have been the ones to nurture my growth by inviting me to tastings, introducing me to winemakers, and offering much-needed words of encouragement when I was not sure of how to proceed. 


Devoting my time to wine writing has required me to make some drastic changes in my life. My heart soared and my choices felt affirmed when winemaker Nancy Irelan, of Red Tail Ridge Winery, told the rapt audience that "you're never too young or too old to change the way you live."


Female winemakers and/or winery owners from The Winebow Group portfolio were represented in grand style at the symposium during the walk-around tasting. It was an absolute pleasure to meet women like Meri Tessari of Suavia winery in Italy's Soave Classico region. Meri works closely with her three sisters to produce their family's exceptional wines. Suavia Monte Carbonare Soave Classico DOC 2014 ($30) is a gorgeous expression of the Garganega grape - crisp and creamy with vivacious citrus, herbal, and mineral flavors. 


Verónica Cousiño of Cousiño-Macul winery in Chile spoke beautifully of balancing her demanding career with her commitments as a mother of three and a wife. Verónica is the export and marketing director for her family's winery and represents the 7th generation to work in the business. Cousiño-Macul Lota 2010 ($80) is an elegant and bold blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with rich ripe fruit flavors and hints of spice and toasty oak. 

Like a great glass of wine, a wonderful event lingers with you long after the moment has passed. Weeks have passed and I still find myself thinking about the dynamic and inspiring women that I met at the Women in Wine Leadership Symposium. We're all in this together!