NEW WINES FOR THE NEW YEAR
The Wines of Collefrisio
Ed, Perry and a wonderful group of customers recently toured Italy on a wine journey, and we were fortunate to tour Collefrisio in Abruzzo. We were also fortunate enough to bring back some of their hand-crafted wines just in time to celebrate the New Year.
Third generation winemakers Amedeo De Luca and Antonio Patricelli joined forces in 2004 to fulfill a passion for the land and the vines of their forefathers. They acquired an existing hilltop estate once owned by the Frisio family. They set out to create a winery that embraces modernity while honoring the long tradition of winemaking in the extraordinary terroir that is Abruzzo. The area is known for the Montepulciano variety, where three of their estates share an 86-acre vineyard site. The grapes are organically grown, not to make organic wine, but to provide gentle and noninvasive care to the integrity of the grapes.
Abruzzo is the “middle of the boot” on the east side of the Italian peninsula. A rugged, mountainous region with a lengthy coastline, abundant sunshine, generous rainfall, and cool, mountain air currents. Situated between the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Apennines and Majella Mountain ranges to the west. Chieti is a hilly province in Southern Abruzzi where 75% of the regions wine is produced. The Collefrisio vineyards thrive between the sea breezes and the mountain peaks, a territory that preserves evidence of pre-Roman civilization, dedicated to the cultivation of vine and wine. These wines are a modern interpretation of complex terrain, soils rich in clay and limestone, hot summers and cold winters. The wines are deep in flavor and unlike the earthy, traditional old Italian style.
Collefrisio Terre Di Chieti Bianco IGT The Terre Di Chieti region uses grapes like Pecorino, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Moscato. This white blend shows aromas of white flowers, white peppercorn, peach and lemon.
Cerasuolo D’ Abruzzo Rose’ DOCG Made from 100% Montepulciano this wine shows ripe cherry fruit with hints of plum. The Cerasuolo is a recent DOC approved in the Abruzzo region. The grapes spend a short time fermenting on the skins, so tannins are light but the bright fruit shines through.
Salento Primativo IGT Primativo, the wine varietal, known as Italian “Zinfandel” is rich with flavors of dark, ripe, red cherry. The famous area of Salento is where these grapes are sourced, dominated by limestone clay, gravel and sand.
Limited Edition “Ten Vintages” Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo DOCG
Production was limited to 6,000 bottles. Seductive and silky with flavors of black plum, smoke and leather. Rich tannins and subtle acidity with a creamy finish of dark fruit.
These wines are limited and only available through our store, because we visited the winery and were able to secure a great buy! Stop in and get yours, or order on line before they are gone!
By CRBrown