Uncorked: Miriam Lee Masciarelli

Miriam Lee Masciarelli, daughter of Abruzzo’s pioneer winemaker Gianni Masciarelli, is now taking over the family business and championing Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a local grape variety that the Masciarellis believe can produce world-class wines. The young heiress is actively engaged in family business and has been travelling around the world to promote her family’s wines. She chats to dbHK about tasting a vertical of Gaia, Mick Jagger and her late father’s gift to her, a Romanée-Conti 1967.

What vintage are you? 

1989. It might not be the best one in Italy but it’s definitely among the finest vintages for Bordeaux and Sauternes. 

What bottle sparked your love of wine?

From my early childhood, wine has always been a staple in my family so this helped me develop a deeply rooted love for it. In particular, I always remember drinking wine with my father, Gianni Masciarelli, and more specifically Villa Gemma Rosso together with an old vintage Barolo Bartolo Mascarello. I will never forget it.

What would you be as a wine?

I would go for something powerful but elegant at same time, a Bordeaux wine or a Montepulciano D’Abruzzo. I must also say that the most important characteristic I’d be looking for in a wine is its distinctiveness, a refined character that sets the wine apart so that you’ll never forget about it. 

Where are you happiest?

I’m a very curious person so I am happy whenever I discover something new to me, something that makes me feel like I am stepping out of my comfort zone and simultaneously having fun.

What’s your greatest vice?

I am extremely honest and straightforward; I never beat around the bush. This might be considered as a vice by some but, after all, happiness consists of being able to tell the truth without hurting anyone, as Mr. Federico Fellini would say [Italian film director]. 

Best advice you ever got?

Fear is the enemy of success.

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

My father left a Romanée-Conti 1967 for me. I think I would save that one.

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

Nothing in the world will ever give you as much freedom as the vineyard and the land on which it grows do. Also, this job always teaches you to be humble and patient.

I usually travel a lot for business, and I feel blessed every day to work in the wine business because it gives me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people all over the world and that’s another great thing about it.

Actually, there are so many good things about the wine business that the negative ones just don’t come to mind.

What’s on your wine bucket list?

My bucket list is so long, but nothing would beat a vertical of Gaja. On one condition though, Angelo Gaja should be there guiding me!

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Mick Jagger. I’m sure that dinner wouldn’t be boring.

Personal satisfaction (Parker points – out of 100)?
What I can tell you for sure is that I will reach Parker’s peak in my life only when I have achieved my main goal in life: to make my region, Abruzzo, well-known all over the world for its beauty and the generosity of its land. 

Which wine would you like served at your funeral? 

Champagne for everyone of course, to celebrate life!