November 24, 2009 01:45 AM Eastern Time 

Fine Imported Italian Wine Captivates Ohio Governor Ted Strickland’s Vision of International Trade

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--At the state capitol Claudio Salvador, president of Sandusky’s Specialty Wine Company, (SWC), importers of fine wine, www.specialtywineco.com, captivates Ohio Governor Ted Strickland with his ambitious, week long, five-city trade tour with three of Italy’s leading wine producers.

“When visiting Italy’s vineyards, I search for grapes or a new release that feature quality, substance and excellence”

They include Perugia’s Sara Goretti of Goretti Agricola known for quality; Sardinia’s Antonella Mancini of Catina Pedres recognized for character; and Florence’s Massimo Piccin of Podere Sapaio noted for innovation. “When visiting Italy’s vineyards, I search for grapes or a new release that feature quality, substance and excellence,” he says. These producers cultivate prime terroir from which to produce the best possible Italian wines.

“We bring a Taste of Italy to Ohio and an authentic Italian wine experience to importers, distributors, sales reps, retailers, restaurateurs, press and the public. We invite them to personally meet these creative producers of Italian estate-bottled wines; to attend a SWC Trade Show and Tasting, and to pair Italian cuisine with our spectacular Italian wines at one of our favorite Italian restaurants,” says Salvador.

Four generations of Gorettis built the Goretti wine estate www.vinigoretti.com around a 14^th century watch tower in the hills of Umbria, outside of Perugia. Superior quality grape selection in the vineyard defines their wines and challenges their consumers, according to Goretti.

In the late 1880s the Mancini family established Catina Pedres www.specialtywineco.com/catina%20pedres.html in Gallura, Sardinia’s coveted winegrowing district. Its revival passed to younger generations. Meticulous management and soils, climate and varieties, all of supreme value, contribute to their distinguished wines, explains Mancini.

Founded in 1999, Podere Sapaio www.sapaio.it is the passion of five friends to create artisan wines. Vineyards in Castagneto, Carducci and Bibbona are the location of Bordelese grapes-Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The group experiments with new Bordelese wines in Bolgheri that are strong, elegant, and long lasting, states Piccin.

“Today in America, Italian wine and food shared with friends and family enhances the joy and celebration of life,” says Salvador whose SWC products are available in Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky and Minnesota.

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