MEET BERNARDINO TORRONE - ITALY

What’s your background ? How did you get in the wine industry ?

I have lived in the world of wine since 1997, before working in the commercial sector I worked in the cellar as an operations manager, now I am the Italian Sales Director of an important Tuscan winery that has the honor of distributing Gremillet Champagne throughout the country

What has been the most memorable wine you tasted ?

  A few years ago I was lucky enough to drink Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand cru Monopole 1973, it was an experience that I would define as heavenly but the bottle that I remember with greatest pleasure was the first wine drunk with the woman who would later be become my wife, a Chianti Classico in 375 ml bottles ... the charm of simple things ...

What is your favourite Champagne Gremillet cuvée?

I love Champagne Blanc de Noirs therefore, without a doubt, Gremillet Millesimè 2011

Which [national dish] would you pair it with ?

I would say that an optimal combination could be with the classic Florentine steak ... the acidity of the Champagne that cleans the mouth from the fat of the meat ... invites to drink and eat again

In 3 words, how would you describe your countrymen/women ?

passionate, noisy, generous

In 3 words how would you describe the French ?

relaxed, sophisticated, friendly

A typical  word you can teach us in [national language or local slang if English]

“Sbocciare” comes from “boccia” bottle in slang, basically means opening a few bottles of wine in the company of friends in an atmosphere of joy and conviviality.