table of contents region overview-italy 1

Transcription

1 Italy

2 table of contents region overview-italy 1 ITALY-REGIONAL MAP 2 region overview-lazio 4 Brand summary 5 key players 6 images 7 Additional resources 8 ultra premium tier overview 9 ultra premium tier ratings 10 ultra premium tier Description/vintage cards Luna Mater Description Sheet 11 Luna Mater Vintage Card 12 premium tier overview 13 premium tier ratings 14 premium tier Description/vintage cards Terre dei Grifi Description Sheet 15 Terre dei Grifi Vintage Card 16 Frascati Superiore Description Sheet 17 Frascati Superiore Vintage Card 18 Pinot Grigio Description Sheet 19 Pinot Grigio Vintage Card 20 miscellaneous information 21

3 REGION OVERVIEW-ITALY ITALIAN WINE FACTS Wine has been produced in Italy for over 4,000 years. Ancient Greeks dubbed it Enotria - land of wine. Romans propagated the cult of Bacchus - establishing a flourishing wine trade thousands of years ago. Leading producer of wine in the world, alternating with France. Thousands of different wines are produced in Italy s 20 regions. Hundreds of different grape varieties. ITALIAN WINE LAWS Vini Varietali & Vino (formerly Vino da Tavola) Simplest wines Few government controls New EU rules allow for use of following grapes with Country of Origin with/without vintage date: Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah Cabernet Franc Chardonnay Sauvignon Wine - Red, White, Rose IGT/IGP (Indication of Typical Geographic Origin) Less restrictive than DOC Some examples - Toscana (not every region has a general IGT), Maremma Toscana, Delle Venezie (inter-region Veneto /Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige) DOC/DOP (Denomination of Controlled Origin) wines from all 20 regions EEC = PDO/DOP Protected Denomination of Origin/ Denominazione di Origine Protetta Regulates geography, grapes, yields and in some cases ageing DOCG/DOP (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin) 74 Wines - only 15 regions EEC =PDO/DOP Protected Denomination of Origin/Denominazione di Origine Protetta Most Restrictive Category. Further guarantee of authenticity. No wine law can guarantee quality, only producer can do that. HOW ITALIAN WINES ARE NAMED Grape Variety - Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Trebbiano, etc. Usually in conjunction with an IGT or DOC Area/Zone of Production - Barolo, Chianti, Gavi, Valpolicella, etc. Grape Variety and Area/Zone - Brunello di Montalcino, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, Brachetto d Acqui, etc. Fantasy /Proprietary Names - Excelsus, Sassicaia, Summus, Tignanello, etc. Usually designated as part of an IGT or DOC 1

4 REGION OVERVIEW-ITALY BANFI WINE REGIONS Italy produces wine in all 20 regions. Banfi Vintners currently does business with wineries in 8 of these regions. Veneto Piedmont Emilia Romagna Tuscany Lazio Abruzzo Sicily Umbria 2

5 MAPS Italy Wine Regions Wine Region Map 3

6 Fontana Candida

7 REGION OVERVIEW-LAZIO LAZIO Among Italy s 20 wine-producing regions, Lazio ranks 8th for output. 45% of wines from Lazio have DOC recognition, and 80% of total wine production is white. Rome is considered the world s leading wine city; that is, the most wine production of any metropolitan area. Noted DOCGs from the region immediately surrounding Rome include Frascati Superiore, and Cannellino di Frascati. Frascati, so named for the town just outside of Rome, is a dry white wine that is considered one of the oldest in Italy. Important Grape Varieties: Important wine types: White Malvasia di Candia Malvasia di Lazio Trebbiano Moscato di Terracina Bombino Pinot Bianco Verdicchio Tocai Red Cesanese Sangiovese Syrah Pinot Nero Merlot Montepulciano Cabernet Barbera Aleatico Alicante White Frascati Marino Colli Albani Colli Lanuvini Red Cesanese di Affile Aleatico di Gradoli 4

8 BRAND SUMMARY Summary Founded in 1958, Fontana Candida, meaning Pure Fountain or Pure Source, is the Frascati DOC s foremost producer, accounting for almost 40% of the area s 6,600 acre production in this historic appellation. Throughout the world, Fontana Candida is synonymous with Frascati. This ancient wine, born in the Roman hills, has deservedly been called the wine of popes and of the people. Legend has it that during the elections of Popes Innocent X and of Clement X, Frascati spouted from the fountains of Rome to the delight and amusement of the people. Citizens rushed out with bottles and cups to capture and savor the wine. In addition to the popular Frascati Superiore including Luna Mater, an aged Frascati Superiore, our U.S. portfolio consists of Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region. Fontana Candida was founded in 1958 and is headquartered in Monteporzio Catone, Rome. Three key selling points: 1. #1 Frascati: Fontana Candida produces the Best-Selling Frascati worldwide. 2. A Fashionable White Wine Alternative: Terre dei Grifi is a stylish, refreshing alternative to Pinot Grigio. A dry wine from Lazio, it has unique attributes and superior quality compared with other dry whites. 3. Land, Tradition, Reliability: Fontana Candida consistently delivers highquality contemporary Italian wines, grown in ancient soils, vinified using traditional techniques. Luna Mater Frascati Superiore DOC Ultra premium tier On Premise Priorities: BTG: Terre dei Grifi, Pinot Grigio BTB: Luna Mater, Terre dei Grifi Terre dei Grifi Frascati Secco DOC Frascati Secco DOC premium tier Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT: 5

9 KEY PLAYERS Mauro Merz- Winemaker Prior to joining Fontana Candida in 2001, Mauro Merz studied oenology at the Istituto San Michele in Alto Adige, after which he spent some time producing sparkling wines at a firm in Trentino. When he came to Fontana Candida, he brought with him a new outlook on Frascati a wine that had developed a reputation as having little complexity or subtlety and sought to realize its true potential as something much more than just a commercial product. Merz, who says he takes a purist approach to winemaking, has implemented some truly unique methods at Fontana Candida: from planting alternative lower-yield varietals, to using late-harvest grapes, to employing partial drying techniques prior to fermentation. The result: a complex, beautifully made white wine that can withstand several years worth of aging Luna Mater Frascati Superiore DOC. As head winemaker for Fontana Candida, Mauro Merz is the driving force behind a movement dedicated to ushering in a return to the highquality, small-production wines of the past, albeit on a larger scale. Merz sees his mission as twofold: revive the wines of Frascati and update the image of the Frascati region. Since joining Fontana Candida in 2001, Merz has steadily implemented his vision to restore the typicity of Frascati wines and to combat standardization. To be successful, you can t be anything other than passionate about wine. My role is simply to create something from the collective labor of many hard-working and dedicated men and women. That modesty, and respect for the land and its workers, has won Merz many accolades, including Frascati Winemaker of the Year (Espresso Guide to Italian Wines 2011). And in 2012, Merz was awarded the prestigious Cinque Grappoli for Luna Mater Frascati Superiore 2011 by the Duemilavini 2013 guide published by the Italian Sommeliers Association. Cantina 6

10 Images Vineyards Vineyards Fontana Candida Fountain at the vineyard at night Tufaceous caves at Fontana Candida-Luna Mater aging Vineyards 7

11 additional resources Websites social media BanfiVintners.com: Resources for the Trade 8

12 U l t r a P r e m i u m T I E R luna mater Ultra-Premium Tier Overview The namesake of Luna Mater Mother Moon reflects the wine s close ties to nature and to its vineyards which have an average age of 50 years. Luna Mater has set a new standard for Rome s most renowned white wine, highlighting the indigenous grapes of Italy s Lazio region. In 2013, Luna Mater receives DOCG status. FEATURES A blend of Malvasia di Lazio and Malvasia di Candia, Greco and Bombino, the grapes for Luna Mater are grown in select hillside vineyards of the DOC zone in Frascati and Monteporzio Catone outside of Rome. Vineyards have an average age of 50 years. Careful grape selection, dual harvests, some whole-berry fermentation, and optimal bottle aging in tufaceous rock cellars yield a wine of superior quality. Benefits Luna Mater is a complex, structured white wine that ages well and can stand up to a greater variety of dishes than many other dry white wines, including traditional Roman pasta dishes such as Cacio e Pepe, Pasta all Amatriciana, and Carbonara. Unique style of vinification produces a white wine that has redefined the Frascati category. Tasting Notes luna Mater Frascati Superiore DOC: An intense, full bouquet evokes the grapes of origin, with a fragrance of exotic fruits. It has a dry, full flavor and is soft, savory, and enveloping, with a pleasantly lingering, elegant fruity aftertaste of ripe pears and green almonds. 9

13 U l t r a P r e m i u m T I E R Luna Mater 2009 ultra premium tier RATINGS 88 Points Wine Enthusiast Monica Larner, March 2012 Celebrate the best of Lazio cuisine with Frascati Superiore Luna Mater. The wine s soft aromas include subtle pulses of vanilla, banana, and stone fruit. 87 Points Wine Spectator Nathan Wesley 2011 This creamy white features layered flavors of ripe casaba melon and Jonagold apple, joined by light pineapple notes, all supported by a firm, minerally spine. 10

14 U l t r a P r e m i u m T I E R luna mater Description sheet Luna Mater Frascati Superiore DOC Production Area: Grape Varieties: Description: Select hillside vineyards in the DOC zone in Frascati and Monteporzio Catone (Lazio, Italy). 50% Malvasia di Candia; 30% Malvasia del Lazio; 10% Greco; 10% Bombino. Bright yellow in color, with an intense and full bouquet, Luna Mater is dry and generous in flavor, soft and enveloping on the palate, with a lingering pear and bitter-almond finish. Luna Mater Frascati sets a new standard for Rome s most renowned white wine. As mystifying and enigmatic as its namesake, Mother Moon, it reflects the wine s close ties to nature and its vineyards with an average age of 50 years. A blend of indigenous white varietals, it is a tribute to the tradition of the region yet crafted with contemporary winemaking technique. The label, designed by Roman artist Domenico Bianchi graphically conveys the unique beauty and mystery of this wine. Careful grape selection, dual harvests, some whole-berry fermentation, and optimal bottle aging in a tufaceous rock cellar yield a wine of superior quality. Perfect with white meats and fish, Luna Mater is the ideal companion to the famous pastas of Rome: Cacio e Pepe, all Amatriciana, Carbonara, and, of course, Fettucine Alfredo. UPC Fontana Candida Luna Mater 750ml fontanacandida.com Information may change vintage to vintage. 11

15 U l t r a P rp re emm i i u m T I E R luna mater vintage card LUNA MATER 2009 Frascati Superiore DOC Area of Production: Select hillside vineyards in the DOC zone in Frascati and Monteporzio Catone (Lazio, Italy) Soil: Loose, porous, volcanic soils, rich in minerals. Grape Varieties: 50% Malvasia di Candia; 30% Malvasia del Lazio; 10% Greco; 10% Bombino. Production Technique: Handpicked grapes are divided into two lots. One is cooled before pressing to maintain aroma. The other is fermented on the skins in small oak barrels to preserve varietal character. A subsequent harvest, a few days later, adds hand destemmed whole grapes to the must to enhance aromas and flavors. The wine is aged in bottle in a naturally cool and humid tufaceous rock cellar. Characteristics: Color: Bright yellow. Bouquet: Intense with exotic-fruit aromas. Taste: Dry; full flavored, soft and savory, with a lingering ripe-pear and bitter-almond finish. Alcohol Content: 14.5%. Total Acidity: 5 g/l. Ideal with seafood, white meats and pasta dishes. Information may change vintage to vintage. 12

16 P r e m i u m T I E R Premium Tier OVERVIEW Terre dei Grifi Frascati Superiore DOC FEATURES The unique Frascatana bottle has been the universal symbol for Frascati since Fontana Candida developed the design over fifty years ago. Benefits Frascati is the perfect alternative to Pinot Grigio. With its unique packaging, Terre dei Grifi is a style icon with an elegant appearance that offers superior quality for the value. Frascati Superiore DOC FEATURES The principle wine of Fontana Candida; called The Wine of popes and of the people. From the famed Tuscolano agricultural area outside of Rome, a region famed for its wines. Benefits Delicate fragrance and fresh taste make it ideal for pairing with a variety of foods, or to have as an aperitif. Bottling under nitrogen ensures the lushness and fruit flavors of the wine remain unaffected. Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT FEATURES Made of 100% Pinot Grigio sourced from select vineyards in Trentino Alto Adige and the Veneto, this wine benefits from the distinctive qualities of both terroirs. Benefits A combination of value and quality has made Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio a wine recognized by critics and consumers alike. Tasting Notes terre dei Grifi Frascati Secco DOC: Dry and soft, yet fresh and lively, with exotic fruit and a touch of ripe pear and almonds on the finish. Frascati Secco DOC: Delicate fragrance of wild flowers and golden delicious apples. It is dry, soft and fruit-forward, with a lively taste that offers notes of peach and almonds. Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT: Pronounced bouquet of exotic fruit, wildflowers and a hint of honey. This Pinot Grigio is dry and balanced with hints of apples and bananas on the finish. 13

17 P r e m i u m T I E R Frascati Superiore 2010 premium tier ratings Best Buy Wine Enthusiast Monica Larner, March 2012 A Roman classic that often appears on trattoria tables besides grilled vegetables of insalata di mare, this classic Frascati Superiore offers subtle aromas of dried hay, citrus and pear. 14

18 P r e m i u m T I E R Terre dei Grifi description sheet Terre dei Grifi Frascati Secco DOC Production Area: Grape Varieties: Description: Vineyards situated on the hills of the DOC zone in the communes of Frascati, Monteporzio Catone, Grottaferrata, Montecompatri and Rome (Lazio, Italy). 50% Malvasia di Candia, 30% Trebbiano Toscano, 10% Malvasia del Lazio, 10% Greco. Clear and brilliant yellow in color with soft shades of green, Terre dei Grifi is dry and soft, yet fresh and lively, with exotic fruit and a touch of ripe pear and almonds on the finish. Frascati, at the center of the Roman agricultural area of Tuscolano, has always been renowned for its wine, which is often cited in Italian literature. Fifty years ago, Fontana Candida created the Frascatana bottle, which became the universal symbol for Frascati wine. Today, it has been interpreted in a fresh design inspired by and named after the famous Italian Baroque sculptor Bernini, who created some of Rome s most famous fountains. The new design is quickly becoming a style icon once again, both modern and elegant. The grapes for Terre dei Grifi, harvested between September and October, are immediately taken to the cellars, gently pressed and vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel. After fermentation, the wine rests on its lees for 4 months to impart greater complexity, structure and bouquet. Further aging in stainless follows. Terre dei Grifi is ideal as an aperitif or with Caesar salads, avocado based starters, fish, veal and chicken, as well as, Thai and Indian food. fontanacandida.com Information may change vintage to vintage. 15

19 P r e m i u m T I E R Terre dei Grifi vintage card Fontana Candida Terre dei Grifi Frascati Secco DOC Lazio, Italy Area of Production: Hillside vineyards in the DOC zone located in the province of Lazio, Rome. Soil: Volcanic, potassium rich soil. Grape Varieties: 50% Malvasia di Candia, 30% Trebbiano Toscano, 10% Malvasia del Lazio, 10% Greco. Production Technique: The grapes are gently pressed and vinified in temperaturecontrolled stainless steel. After fermentation, the wine rests on its lees for 4 months to impart greater complexity, structure and bouquet. Further aging in stainless follows. Characteristics: Color: Clear and brilliant yellow with soft green shades. Bouquet: Delicate fragrance of exotic fruits and citrus. Taste: Dry and soft, with exotic fruit and a touch of ripe pear and almonds on the finish. Alcohol Content: 13%. Total Acidity: 5g/l. Ideal as an aperitif or with Caesar salads, avocado based starters, fish, veal and chicken, as well as Thai and Indian food. Information may change vintage to vintage. 16

20 P r e m i u m T I E R Frascati Superiore description sheet Frascati Secco DOC Production Area: Grape Varieties: Description: Lazio, Italy. 60% Malvasia, 40% Trebbiano. Pale straw in color, the wine offers a delicate fragrance of wild flowers and golden delicious apples. It is dry, soft and fruit forward, with a lively taste that offers notes of peach and almonds. Frascati, at the center of the Roman agricultural area of Tuscolano, has always been renowned for its wine, which is often cited in Italian literature. Frascati DOC is the principal wine of Fontana Candida. This ancient wine, born in the Roman hills, has deservedly been called the wine of popes and of the people. It is said that during a couple of papal elections, Frascati spouted from some Roman fountains to the delight and amusement of the people. Citizens rushed out with bottles and cups to capture the wine and enjoy it fully. The grapes, harvested between September and October, are immediately taken to the cellars, vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel and gently pressed. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel and then bottled under nitrogen to protect its freshness and lush fruit flavors. Fontana Candida Frascati is ideal as an aperitif or with salads, pasta, veal, chicken and seafood. UPC Fontana Candida Frascati Secco 750ml UPC Fontana Candida Frascati Secco 1.5L Information may change vintage to vintage. 17

21 P r e m i u m T I E R Frascati Superiore vintage card fontana candida Frascati Secco DOC Lazio, Italy Area of Production: Hillside vineyards in the DOC zone located in the province of Lazio, in the communes of Frascati, Monteporzio Catone, Grottaferrata, Montecompatri and Rome. Soil: Volcanic, potassium rich soil. Grape Varieties: 60% Malvasia Bianca di Candia, 30% Trebbiano Toscano, 10% Malvasia del Lazio. Production Technique: The grapes, harvested between September and October, are immediately taken to the cellars, vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel and gently pressed. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel and then bottled under nitrogen to protect its freshness and lush fruit flavors. Characteristics: Color: Pale straw. Bouquet: Delicate fragrance of wild flowers and golden delicious apples. Taste: Dry, soft and fruit forward, with a lively taste that offers notes of peach and almonds. Alcohol Content: 12.5%. Total Acidity: 5.5 g/l. Ideal as an aperitif or with salads, pasta, veal, chicken and seafood. Information may change vintage to vintage. 18

22 P r e m i u m T I E R Pinot Grigio description sheet Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie IGT Production Area: Grape Variety: Description: Trentino Alto Adige and the Veneto regions of Italy. 100% Pinot Grigio. Pale straw in color, the wine offers a pronounced bouquet of exotic fruit, wildflowers and a hint of honey. This Pinot Grigio is dry and balanced with hints of apples and bananas on the finish. A combination of quality and value has made Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio a wine recognized by critics and consumers alike. The wine is sourced from select sites in the regions of Trentino Alto Adige and in the Veneto. This unique Pinot Grigio benefits from and reflects the distinctive terroirs of both these areas, with its crisp acidity and lush fruit. The grapes are picked at the peak of ripeness in September and then gently pressed. The wine is fermented and aged in temperaturecontrolled stainless steel. Fontana Pinot Grigio is perfect with seafood, white meats, appetizers and light entrees. UPC Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio 750ml UPC Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio 1.5L Information may change vintage to vintage. 19

23 P r e m i u m T I E R Pinot Grigio vintage card FontanA CANDIDA Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie, IGT Area of Production: Delle Venezie, Northeast Italy. Soil: Well positioned and well drained, firm alluvial soil. 100% Pinot Grigio. Grape Variety: Production Technique: The wine is sourced from select sites in the province of Trentino and in the Veneto hills along the Adige Valley. This unique Pinot Grigio benefits from and reflects the distinctive terroirs of both these areas, with its crisp acidity and lush fruit. The grapes are picked at the peak of ripeness in September and then gently pressed. The wine is fermented and aged in temperature-controlled stainless steel. Characteristics: Color: Pale straw. Bouquet: Exotic fruit, wildflowers and a hint of honey. Taste: Dry and balanced with hints of apples and bananas on the finish. Alcohol Content: 12%. Total Acidity: 5.3 g/l. Fontana Pinot Grigio is perfect with seafood, white meats, appetizers and light entrees. Information may change vintage to vintage. 20

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