All In the Family

Winebow, Inc.’s Giuseppe LoCascio Offers London Lennies Wait Staff a Taste of Southern Italian Wine and Family Philosophy

By Brad Haskel, Wine Director for London Lennies

Yesterday, the wait staff of London Lennie’s Seafood Restaurant was treated to a seminar by Giuseppe LoCascio of Winebow, Inc. Giuseppe, the nephew of Winebow founder Leonardo LoCascio, grew up in Sicily and led a terrific tasting of the wines of Central and Southern Italy. His seminar, which was one of a continuing series of educational seminars for the staff at London Lennies, helped to further our staff’s knowledge of wine, and ability to help customers with their choices from the wine list.

Giuseppe expertly explained the wine terrains south of Rome and the diverse landscapes of Apulia, Campania, Lazio, Umbria, Sardinia, Sicily, Molise, and Calabria.  The staff tasted grape varietals that were new discoveries, and learned of the territorial distinctions that make Italian wines a true challenge to master. One example Giuseppe pointed out was the Di Majo Norante “Ramitello” Terra Degli Osci IGT 2004, which consists of 80% Prugnolo grapes. Prugnolo, also known as Sangiovese in Tuscany and other parts of Italy; is a clonal variety that Giuseppe explained is probably closer to the flavor profile of the Montepulciano grape, than Sangiovese.

Past seminars have included Marc Perrin owner of Chateau de Beaucastel, David Stefan of Jean-Luc Colombo, Harriet Lembeck, a greatly respected wine & spirits educator, Danny D’Ancona, co-owner of the Little Wine Company, Theresa Ryder of Michael Skurnik wines and Peter Franus, a terrific California winemaker. The staff’s enthusiasm for wine knowledge has included a road trip to Wolffer Estate in the North Fork of Long Island that was led by Peggy Lauber and Marcelo DeMarcoand, and a tour of the winery by winemaker Roman Roth.

All of these seminars, and bi-weekly wine classes, are offered to London Lennies’ staff in an effort to raise the level of service, and build a culture of wine at our restaurant.  We know you have been coming to London Lennies for great seafood for 50 years. We hope the selection of wine, fair pricing, and the knowledge and enthusiasm of the wait staff helps to make your experience even better.