Tre Bicchieri? Ventiquattro Bicchieri!!

When Tre Bicchieri awards come out each year, it almost seems easy to win. But with 40,000 wines submitted each year, the competition is fierce - fewer than 500 wineries receive a Tre Bicchieri. The panelists change every year and they taste the wines blind to assure objectivity.

So it’s quite an honor to win a Tre Bicchieri.

Imagine the odds of winning two years in a row. Three years? Four years.…. How about 8 of the past 9 years?

This incredible accolade goes to Leo Felici who just received his 8th Tre Bicchieri award — he’s now won 8 out of the past 9 years; in fact, he’s only been winemaker for 10 vintages—so he’s batting 80%. Only one other Verdicchio producer has won as many times.

Source: Wine Words Wisdom

Felici has been on a tear. In the past two years, he’s been named:

• #3 in Forbes Magazine’s list of Top 50 Italian White Wines

• One of 50 Best Wines of Italy by the international BWIA panel

• Winemaker of the Year by Gambero Rosso

Part of Felici’s magic lies in his unique estate. Situated at 500m+ near the base of the Apennine Mountains, Felici's vineyard is the highest in Jesi and higher than most in Matelica (where average elevation is ~450m).

And he brings a vision for world class Verdicchio, informed by his years as a sommelier at Gordon Ramsey's Savoy and at Enoteca Pinchiorri (which has one of the best cellars in the world). Organic and biodynamic farming, lees aging in stainless and cement, and vinifying with native yeasts are all choices he's made to deliver his winning style.

Compared to other top Verdicchios, Felici's style is both zesty and fresh like you find in Matelica, with salinity and richness more typical of Jesi. It's a great counterpoint to any Verdicchio in your selection - and an unassailable winner for your clientele.