Paolo Canclini featured at Telluride Wine Festival

25 Jun Paolo Canclini featured at Telluride Wine Festival

[click “Play” to hear Paolo Canclini]

(Editors note: We have corrected an error later in the story. The Italian Reserve event at the View is Friday, 2:30-4:00)

This weekend, June 25 – June 28, Telluride celebrates great wines and great food, and, for the 28th annual Telluride Wine Festival, local and restauranteur Paolo Canclini (Rustico, La Piazza, The View)  has invited two distinguished guests to town.

There is little doubt where Franco Cavalero of St. Agata or Emiliano Alessi would come down in the ongoing debate among oenophiles between terroirists and wine-making scientists/technophiles: location, location, location.

Terroirists for the uninitiated are those who believe climate, soil, exposure, indigenous plants, trees and insects, everything associated with a site, influence the flavor. They believe wines come from somewhere, not someone.

Franco Cavalero is the owner of St. Agata, the new DOCG Barbara d’Asti and the famous Rughe grapes, an ancient varietal rediscovered and replanted by his father in 1960s.

Emiliano Alessi is the owner of the Cennatoio winery in Panzano, the heart of Chianti territory.

Paolo joins Franco and Emiliano at two different but equally robust Telluride Wine Festival events.

On Friday, June 26, Paolo’s La Piazza is hosting a winemakers dinner, “Under the Tuscan Sun,” featuring wines from Cennatoio paired with food prepared by La Piazza’s new chef, Bob Scherner, formally of 221 South Oak and Allred’s.

On Friday, June 26, Paolo joins master sommeliers Bob Bath and Steven Geddes for an Italian Reserve Seminar at The View at Mountain Lodge. At “Italy’s Greatest Wines You Haven’t Heard Of (Yet)!” Emiliano will be on hand to explain the difference between Chianti Classico and Super Tuscan at the event

While it is true Italians were not the first to invent wine, more than any other people through history, they have demonstrated a serious passion for the grape, up there with food, soccer, fine art, and family.
Paolo is no exception. In fact, he was hardwired for his chosen profession: restauranteur and wine scholar.

Paolo’s family owned a restaurant on Lake Como, near Bormio, Valtellina, where he was born. After serving a series of apprenticeships at prestigious restaurants throughout Europe, he earned a diploma in Culinary Hotel Restaurant Management. As a young man, he explored local wineries, integrating his passion for viniculture into his chosen career.