Uncorked: Francesco Marchio

Francesco Marchio is the business development manager of specialist Italian wine company, VinoVeritas in Hong Kong. With over 10 years of experience in the wine trade, he started out as a sommelier in Italy before moving to the UK to work at Le Manoir. In 2012 he accepted the challenge to relocate to Hong Kong where he has worked at VinoVeritas ever since. Marchio is currently studying for WSET Diploma and talks to dbHK about his first bottle of Italian Chardonnay and his weakness for good pasta.

What vintage are you?

I was born in 1978. An excellent vintage for Barolo and apparently not a bad one for the other wine regions too. A good sign!

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

It was at the beginning of my career many years ago: a bottle of Vie di Romans Chardonnay. It was my first blind tasting and would be an easy guess now but was very rewarding to get it right back in the day!

What would you be as a wine?

Definitely a Barolo. It needs time and passion to be discovered but, just like a real friendship, it can last decades.

Where are you happiest?

Having a fresh cold beer after spending my day tasting wine on a wine trip – it doesn’t matter where because all wine regions have their charms.

What’s your greatest vice?

As an Italian, my greatest vice is pasta! Unfortunately I do not love exercise as much as I love pasta.

Best advice you ever got?

To pay attention to the details in everything you do. It makes a big difference.

Your cellar’s underwater, which bottle would you dive in and save?

A bottle of Giuseppe Mascarello’s Barolo Ca’ D’ Morissio Monprivato Riserva 1996. I have been keeping that bottle for so many years that I definitely need to save it, and that would be for sure the right moment to open it.

What’s the best and worst thing about the wine business?

The best part of the wine business is being able to work with wine which I love. It’s a bit like being a musician: you get to make a living with your passion. The worst is when everything comes down to price.

What’s on your wine bucket list?

1994 Vintage Port Quinta do Noval, I drunk the one I had too early

An old vintage of Pol Roger Rosè

Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate – Le Coste 2001.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

My closest friends.There’s only one rule: that everyone should bring two bottles each.

Which wine would you like served at your funeral?

All the bottles left in my cellar. It’s the best way to leave a good memory to my loved ones.