Really horrible wine news- Soldera hit by vandals

[Dale Williams]

http://www.drvino.com/2012/12/03/destro ... f-soldera/

[David M. Bueker]

Ugly.

Humans suck.

[Tim York]

Ugly.

Humans suck.

I agree. I've never had the privilege of tasting one of Soldera's wines but by all reliable accounts they are masterpieces of Brunello in a similar way that DRC's wines are masterpieces of Vosne-Romanée.

Therefore this is an act of vandalism of gigantic proportions similar in kind to the blowing up of ancient Buddhist statues by the Taliban.

Mafia action or jealous neighbours? Whichever it is, they don't even have the Taliban's excuse of blind religious fanaticism.

Soldera is not a young man and I hope that he can bounce back.

[Lars Carlberg]

Sadly, this happens in the Mosel region too. It's usually envy from fellow-growers, who vandalize or destroy property. Some douche bag broke into a cellar and tainted some of the best casks of 2011 Mosel Riesling.

[Sam Platt]

Very sad indeed. I have tasted a Soldera but it was before I had any real appreciation for Brunello.

What does surprise me a little bit is that wineries apparently do not make use of locking valves. They are common technology and widely available. I see no reason the concept could not be employed on wine barrels to protect something so valuable.

PS: It's no excuse for the act, but I read another article that said Soldera (the man) was widely reviled in the region.

[Bill Hooper]

That is horrible. Hopefully those that have has done this (and you never know) are swiftly caught and brought to justice.

To the point on valve locks: Sam, if you want to drain a wooden barrel or a Stainless steel tank, all you need is an axe or even a claw-hammer. I've seen valve-locks too -most SS tanks (and wooden barrels too) these days have at least three valves and a door. Dogs might be a better option.

-Bill

[Sam Platt]

Bill,

Yes. I am also surprised that there was not some sort of security on premises - dog, guard, alarm, etc.

I'm not familiar with wine barrel design but it does seem like a more error-proof valving system could be developed. Based on the photos that I found on the internet it looks like accidental drainage is a risk. I do agree that even the best wooden barrel valving system is powerless against a hammer.

[Ian Sutton]

It seems at times in the Italian countryside, that dogs are ubiquitous. More fool us for walking around wine regions as the dogs never bark at cars, but do see someone on foot at a threat to be 'barked away'.

[Fredrik L]

So obviously the butler did not do it, but di Grisi did.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2 ... esses.html

Greetings from Sweden / Fredrik L