Stop by this Saturday afternoon and check out some wines from local importer Gian Pietro Ottolini. From the far north of Lombardy to the Southern Island of Sicily, these wines show the diversity and excellence of Italian wines. Don’t miss it. Walt Sumner will be on hand to pour and tell you more.

2007 Nera, La Novella Sondrio, Lombardia, $15

100% Nebbiolo from Valtellina, one of the most northern Italian viticultural areas. The grapes for La Novella are immediately pressed after the crush, making a white instead of a red wine. The result is a very complex and aromatic wine that, while maybe not surpassing its red counterpart, stands up in it’s own right.

2007 Maurigi Bacca Rosso, Sicily, $14

A blend of 60% Nero d’Avola, 20% Syrah, and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Budonetto estate, located in the mountainous interior part of the island with elevations between 1,700 and 2,400 feet. The elevation of the vineyards provide a cooler climate, which gives to the wines a striking elegance and finesse. Fresh dark fruit flavors and aromas.

2003 Cave de Moleto, Barbera del Monforrato "Procchio", Piedmonte,$12

Moleto is a merely 12-dweller hamlet perched on top of the hill in the Monferrato district of Piemonte. This 100% Barbera from the “Procchio” vineyard. is fermented in stainless steel. Flavors of smoky ripe plum and sweet cherry.

2005 Madonia "Fermavento" Sangiovese di Romagna Supieriore, Emilia-Romagna, $20

100% Sangiovese from a 17 year old vineyard on the hill of Montemaggio – a celebrated source for robust and age-worthy wines. The vineyards are planted on terrain that goes from a gentle grade to a hair-rising pitch on soil that’s rich in limestone, clay and marl, with rocky and chalk pockets.. The vines are trained in an “en vaso” (bush) system, which allows an optimal sun exposure to the cluster, and a limited dispersion of nutrients through the vine, since the clusters remain very close to the rootstock. The vine has 3 main trunks, with 2 canes each and 1 cluster on each cane. However, rarely all 6 clusters are left to bear fruit.. Ripe black cheery flavor with hints of smoke and tobacco.

2001 Nera, Sassella Riserva, Lombardia, $32

The red counterpart to the La Novella, the Sassella Reserva is 100% estate Nebbiolo from the South-facing slopes of the Alps. It is, however, considered one of the most adverse districts to cultivate, because of the steep grade on which the vines are cultivated, and most of the work must be performed manually, or with the ingenious help of technology like monorails to carry the baskets of grapes down from the hills. The Sassella ages for 16 months in oak casks and an additional 2 years in the bottle before release. Brilliant ruby color; intense violets and rose bouquet; succulent and silky mouth-feel.