The third edition of “Oltre Roma Wine, Beer & Spirits” confirms a clear leap in quality. Between increasing producers, openness to beer and spirits and a territory yet to be better communicated, a compact and evolving supply chain emerges. With an awareness: beyond Rome there is much more. Luciano Lombardi tells us about it.
An obvious leap in quality
At the end of March, at the Castello Boncompagni Viscogliosi in Isola del Liri, I attended the third edition of “Oltre Roma Wine, Beer & Spirits“, an event promoted by the Frosinone-Latina Chamber of Commerce and its Special Agency Informare, which brings together local wine producers, craft breweries and distillers with operators, international buyers and journalists.
Compared to the last edition, the organizational and qualitative leap is clear: extraordinary location, overlooking the famous waterfall, in a centuries-old castle; number of wine producers climbed well over forty. Also appreciated is the presence of three microbreweries and some quality distillers.
A community that responds
All in a cordial and mutually caring atmosphere. The wine sector is going through a complex phase, amid declining consumption and pressure from the no-alcohol front. Here, however, there was a different air: a tight-knit community, determined to react by focusing on the strong territorial identity and on limited production, followed with great care and manic attention.
Communication to be strengthened, exports to grow
Of course, on the level of territorial communication there still remains room for improvement. However, from the opening institutional speeches – coordinated by the good RAI journalist Rocco Tolfa – it emerged that much has already been done: regional exports are growing steadily, a signal that is anything but taken for granted at this time.
Quality on the rise, still lacks strong traction
Of course, it was not possible to taste everything, but enough to grasp one clear fact: the average quality level is rising. What is still missing is a broader presence of leading producers capable of driving the entire sector. An aspect to which we will return more systematically in the tastings for the next The Essential Guide to Italian Wine
Arpino, surprise of the territory
The press tour also reserved a pleasant discovery: Arpino, a small municipality in this portion of the region. First the visit to the Acropolis of Civitas Vetus (7th-6th centuries BC), picturesque and windswept, then the city center, home of Cicero and Caius Marius (remember him? Seven times consul, he was Sulla’s great rival). Here one of the most important international Latin language competitions, with participants from all over the world.
For visitors: Museum of Industrial Wool Archaeology, Temple of the Nine Muses and even masterclass on the mostacciolo, a typical local dessert. Point of reference is the Pro Loco, led with passion and efficiency by Luciano Rea.
The meaning of “Oltre Rome”
At this point the meaning of the name given to the event becomes clear: in Lazio, beyond Rome, there is a rich, varied and still partly undiscovered heritage. And it is by no means marginal.
