You Won't Find This at Your Local Wine shop
Many of you know that I attended college at The University of Dallas, a small Catholic, liberal arts school in Irving, TX. Many of you likely know that while at UD I studied a semester in Rome at the University’s Rome campus. Some of you probably know that in 1995 I went back to the Rome campus and bummed around helping the current students with travel plans.
What most of you likely do not know is that the University of Dallas campus at Due Santi near the town of Marino in the Castelli Romani (hills just outside of Rome) is home to 5 lovely acres of vineyards. This little nook in the region of Lazio has been planted to Bordeaux (red) varieties since the 1970s and wonderful wineries like Colle Pichioni have led the way with their delicious Il Vassallo, which has long been one of my favorite Italian reds.
The University of Dallas produces this Rosso da Tavola from 85% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. Unlike Il Vassallo there is no Cabernet Franc in the blend.
I remember the UD vineyards being sparse, overgrown with brush, and quite poorly maintained in 1995. When I interviewed for a position with the Rome program in 1999 my interest and experience with wine was likely my biggest selling point to the University as they really wanted to get their wine program off the ground and I wanted very much to be a part of it. As it was, I did not get the job back then and I went on to more wine enterprises.
In those 10+ years since I last had knowledge of the UD wine program, the University has made huge strides in their vineyards and now, not surprisingly the quality of wine produced is excellent.
My dear friend Peter Blute who is a current Resident Assistant in Rome delivered a bottle of Due Santi Rosso da Tavola to my front door in Ennis, TX as a holiday gift. My mom made some very simple pork cutlets one evening and I decided to open the Due Santi Wine and see what was happening with it.
I was shocked! While I had high hopes for the wine program at UD I always remained a bit skeptical that they could pull something off that truly spoke of the region and the local style. I was amazed when I discovered this wine was both.
Like Il Vassallo there is an immediate dose of pencil lead and ripe cherries on the nose when I first opened the Due Santi wine. Immediately I think of right bank Bordeaux with a bit more warmth and something saddle-like. With a first sip the texture of the wine is weightier than I expect from the nose and it gives way to a rocky component and another dose of pencil which I find greatly appealing. The fruit remains on the palate throughout the drink and over the course of a meal the wine continues to shine. I have no idea what UD charges for this wine and I would gladly pay $25 for it any day of the week.
A huge thank you to Peter Blute for turning me on to this wine and I am very hopeful my alma-mater will allow me the honor of photographing the vineyards and tasting the wine at the source sometime this year. I am very excited to know that not only did I get a great education at UD I can now also get a great bottle of vino and that is the biggest surprise of the year.
I love how the back label describes the wine in classic UD understated prose.
I wish more wine descriptions read like this
About Michael Housewright
Oh, how I wish I could try it.
I wish I had a personal connection and a story for all of the wines I drink!
Jen, you need to reach out to the Rome campus and ask someone to bring you a bottle!
Natasha,
I think it does make the wines more interesting. Kind of like a personal relationship with Jesus
More like a personal relationship with Bacchus!
Now, I am certain you are on to something
You think that would work even if I don’t know anyone at the current campus?
BTW, do you know where we can find the Il Vassalo here in Dallas? I know Jason would love it. Thanks!
Jennifer,
Go to their website and see if you can locate a US importer. It used to be Winebow and now I see they let you order directly from them online (likely not just a bottle). You could also try wine-searcher.com and see if there are any retailers in the US.
A quote that will be burned into my mind forever: “it does make the wines more interesting. Kind of like a personal relationship with Jesus”
You are the man. Seriously thank you. You just made my day a little brighter.
Joanie,
Anything I can do to keep you in good spirits is indeed my pleasure.
Oh , how I miss pencil lead. I might just have to go Euro wine shopping after this fertilization seminar I am trapped in is over. I am continually amazed and disappointed in the amount of copper dumped into our west coast wines to eliminate such character. Thanks for the reminder.
Steve,
What is so great about your comment to this post as it was you in 1997 whom I showed photos of the dilapidated vineyards in Italy. You told me that they indeed needed some work and you were not convinced they could produce anything. I took this to heart and I am glad that while I was not involved that the quality has turned around for sure.
Why in the world would anyone want to remove pencil lead components from wine? It is one of my very favorite aromatic parts of a wine.
We need to get up to see you in Oregon man
How exciting! I really hope to score a bottle one day. I’ve only seen pictures of the “new” campus, and it looks so beautiful.
Summer,
You would love it(the wine and
The campus )
Summer,
You must come join us at Due Santi!
Definitely a touch of Lyle Novinski in that label design, and it makes me miss him. I wish I could tell current Rome students to be patient and listen to that old boy. You can drink later.
Ed,
Thanks so much for your comment. I hope Professor Novinski is getting to enjoy some of this fine vino. I miss my days in his lectures
Ooooohhhh. I have a bottle, courtesy of fellow alumna Sophia. I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. Now that occasion will be very soon indeed–thanks.
I have had high hopes for UD’s vint since I tried it on a trip w/ the Collegium. Glad they’ve been realized.
Cherie,
Thanks a million for your comment. I am excited you were able to try the wines when you were in Rome on the Collegium trip. You should indeed enjoy your wine soon.
Ciao,
Michael
This is terrific! I am also a UD grad (class of ’01) and did a semester in Rome. At that time, however we didn’t help with the vineyard and I don’t believe they were making wine. My family now has a winery in Iowa (with a Tuscan theme) and also a vineyard. We would love it if any UD grads were interested in working for us, even if just for a summer. Im currently the Vineyard Manager – the liberal arts degree wasn’t putting money in the bank. Haha. It was a joy to read that UD is making wine!
Michelle,
What grapes do you grow and vinify in Iowa? Please feel free to contact me directly and I would be glad to post your interest in having some help with harvest. Thanks so much for this great post.
Thank you so much for your comment! I have actually been in the wine, food, and travel biz for almost 16 years and I am thrilled that another UD grad is a wine pro
Cheers,
Michael
Hi Michelle,
If you are interested in taking in interns or summer workers I’m certain the University’s Career Services Office would be happy to hear from you.
I love the way yo describe it…god I lov wine tasting, wine drinking…wine everything! I have never been to Rome but it’s deffo on the list! Im doing a study abroad at the moment in Holland so I’m trying out all their beers!
I love the way you describe it…god I love wine tasting, wine drinking…wine everything! I have never been to Rome but it’s definitely on the list! Im doing a study abroad at the moment in Holland so I’m trying out all their beers!
It sounds like we will be very fast friends Janet.
I love Holland!
Oh, I’d love to get my hands on a bottle of this! How interesting and original! Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure! I need to get several more bottles myself
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