Victor Rallo Launches New Online Wine Community

RED BANK, N.J., June 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Victor Rallo, restaurateur, wine aficionado and entrepreneur, launches www.RalloWines.com to create a destination where passion for food, wine and travel is celebrated.  Consumers seeking an education on creating the perfect marriage of food and wine will find solace at RalloWines.com which features unique video presentations of wine reviews and complementary foods.

Breaking the mold of creating another online "wine store", Victor Rallo raises the bar by teaming up with wine expert Anthony Verdoni, aka "The Professor", to feature world class wines and meals that create a harmonious presentation that consumers can replicate at home.

Speaking about the new project, Victor Rallo commented, "Consumers are flooded with choices at their local bottle shop. Often the best buying advice that is provided is a score from a third party website that consumers have to trust.  Consumers are looking to raise their education on wine but not as a score.  Consumers want to learn how to match a good wine with meals that they can cook in their home."

RalloWines.com will provide the "know how" to prepare great dishes that complement a wine that is featured each week on the website.  Weekly videos will feature Rallo and Verdoni as they review the featured wine from different viewpoints; Rallo representing the consumer and likeminded  "foodies" and Verdoni representing the structure and flavor profile of the wine.  The balance of their perspectives is what makes visiting RalloWines.com a worthwhile investment of time.

Each week a wine will be featured on RalloWines.com and consumers can purchase the wine at significant savings.  The goal of the website is to build an educational foundation for consumers looking to increase their knowledge of wine and food pairing.  

To that end, the website will only sell wines that have been personally reviewed by Rallo and received his seal of approval.  According to Rallo "Consumers don't need another online wine store, they need an online wine experience that is practical, helpful and without pretense."

The first wines to be featured on RalloWines.com are the Tenuta San Guido Le Difese 2007, and the Agricola Punica Montessu 2007.

For additional information, visit www.RalloWines.com.

About Victor Rallo

Growing up in the restaurant business, Victor Rallo is a lifelong expert on food and wine. Both of his restaurants, Basil T's and Undici Taverna Rustica, have received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence multiple times and Undici boasts the largest all-Italian wine selection in the state of New Jersey.

Victor has mastered the art of pairing food and wine, having visited Italy's top vineyards and tasted the best in Italian cuisine. During his travels, Victor has befriended many of Italy's most prominent winemakers including Antonio Caggiano, brothers Andrea and Dario of Pieropan winery, and the maker of the world renowned Sassicaia wine, Sebastiano Rosa. Victor's travel videos, photos and articles highlight many personal tours, tastings, and even a special visit from Sebastiano Rosa at one of Victor's restaurants.

Victor also hosts the Accademia del Vino wine lecture series, giving attendees a taste of the wine, cuisine, and culture from a specific region of Italy in each session. Victor brings a unique and practical perspective to the table with his hands-on and forward thinking approach to food and wine.

About Tony Verdoni

Anthony Verdoni's career is a combination of academic pursuits and business interests.  He enrolled in a Doctorate program at Tulane University, having received an A.B. in Curso Classico from Saint Peter's College in 1964. He eventually returned to St. Peter's to teach Classical Languages and Literature for 20 years.  His knowledge of antiquity and Italian culture helped establish him as an expert in Italian wines. Members of the wine trade call him "The Wine Professor."

He started in the wine business in 1971 as a part-time sommelier in a restaurant. He has since held many positions within the wine industry including a wine buyer for two department store chains, VP and National Sales Director for American BD Company, VP of Marketing Italian Wines for Winebow, and has worked with many Italian wineries in developing their brands in America.

Mr. Verdoni feels his greatest challenge and satisfaction have come from launching new Italian wines in America. He has received awards and commendations from the American Wine Society, the Culinary Institute of America, and was recently awarded a lifetime achievement by The Italian Trade Commission recognizing his work in popularizing Italian wines in the United States.

Mr. Verdoni is currently consulting for restaurants and distributors throughout the United States, conducting wine dinners, seminars, restaurant training programs – and, as always, helping people discover the wines of Italy.

SOURCE RalloWines.com