Country: Italy Region: Puglia
Varietal: Fiano Colour: White Style: Dry
Producer: Mandrarossa
Description:
First produced in 1999, the Mandrarossa wines come from a selection of the best sites from Cantine Settesoli’s 6,000 hectares of vineyard, situated in southwestern Sicily and planted with 32 different grape varieties. This range was conceived after the diverse soils of the vineyards were mapped, enabling the winemakers to focus on what were then ranked their best sites. Under the leadership of co-operative president Giuseppe Bursi, consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini has sought to improve viticulture, which in turn has resulted in better wines. Working with soil specialist Pedro Parra and head winemaker Mimmo De Gregorio, Alberto has selected 500 hectares of vineyard for the production of the Mandrarossa wines. These vineyards are situated close to the sea, where intense sunlight, moderating sea breezes, mild temperatures, multiple elevations and a myriad of different soil types combine to give the sort of grapes that Mimmo and Alberto are looking for
TASTING NOTES
The wine is yellow with golden reflections. On the nose it has notes of ripe fruits as loquat, yellow peach and apricot. On the palate it is full and opulent, with fruity aromas, a delicate minerality and notes of bitter almond as the finish.
Food Matches: Mussels / Shellfish / Smoked Fish / Veal
Country: Italy Region: Piemonte
Varietal: Barbera
Vintage: 2018 Colour: Red Style: Dry
Producer: Fontanafredda
Vinification: The fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks for around 6-7 days at a temperature of 23-25 °C. During this time, the must is pumped over the cap in order to optimize the extraction of the tannins and colour. As soon as the alcoholic fermentation has ended, the wine is racket into concrete tanks for the malolactic fermentation, which is completed by December.
Ageing: the wine is aged partly in new barrels made of oak from Allier, and partly in large Slavonian oak casks. It stays in wood for some months, and is bottled in late spring following light clearing.
TASTING NOTES: This is a ruby-red wine with purple highlights. The nose is packed with black fruit, especially blackberries and plums, with slight spicy overtones hinting at black pepper and cinnamon. Sweet, soft tannins come together in a closely-woven texture that merges with the fruit, while a crisp freshness provides a long, tasty finish. This wine is at its best for 3-4 years following the harvest. PAIRINGS A perfect match for starters, cured meats and fresh and medium mature cheeses.