C A N A L E T T O

Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Veduta Bombino di Puglia, Merlot del Veneto, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, Veduta Rosso del Salento

The Canaletto line comprises 6 varietal wines that offer exceptionally good value for the high quality of the wines. They are named after Antonio Canal, nicknamed Canaletto, a successful Venetian painter who lived in Venice from 1697 to 1768. Many of his masterpieces are commissioned by the English Ambassador to the Republic of Venice at that time, and, therefore, any of his paintings are found in England today.

Chardonnay delle Venezie IGT (current vintage)

As the world’s favorite varietal, Chardonnay was introduced to Venezie region in the 1970s and has thrived ever since. The vines are cultivated on the steep hillsides benefitting from maximum sun exposure and aeration. Casa Girelli selects the ripest, hand-picked Chardonnay grapes from the best located vineyards. The wine is crisp and dry, elegant and harmonious.

Pinot Grigio delle Venezie IGT (current vintage)

CASA GIRELLI selects the finest Pinot Grigio grapes from small growers in the Venezie region, north-east Italy. The wines are fermented in stainless steel and bottled early in order to capture the fragrant, fresh and fruity bouquet of the grape variety.

Merlot del Veneto IGT (current vintage)

Merlot has become the most popular varietal wine for everyday drinking in Veneto. CASA GIRELLI selects the finest grapes from the best located vineyards along the Friuli border of Veneto. This wine is noted for its smoothness and balance.

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC (current vintage)

Montepulciano is one of the world's oldest grape varieties and thrives in the Abruzzo region of Italy, mid-way along the eastern coast. A small amount of Sangiovese is vinified with the Montepulciano to soften its massive tannins, as required by the DOC regulations. Partly due to the remarkable value of this wine, it is the ideal "house pour" and can be found in some of America's leading restaurants.

Veduta, IGT wines from  Puglia

In 1996, CASA GIRELLI expanded its portfolio for the first time to southern taly. Puglia, formerly an area of mass production of mediocre quality that was old in bulk, is undoubtedly the most up-and-coming viticultural region in Italy oday, now producing wines of distinguised quality. The dry, hot temperatures, hnanced by the method of training vines (see diagram on next page), and omplemented only by the gentle breezes of the Adriatic (east) and Ionio Sea west), are perfect for grapegrowing. Stefano Girelli selected winemakers with well-located vineyards for his range of Veduta wines.

Veduta Bombino di Puglia IGT

The grapes, primarily Bombino Bianco, are trained the "Spalliera a Gabbia" method (whereby each vine grows vertically to a height of 160 cms, the grapes growing only at 80 cms off the ground and above), since tradition has proved that this style of growing lowers the yields and increases the quality. The grapes are picked early at the end of August and beginning of September, in order to retain their acidity and the freshness in the resulting wine.

Veduta Rosso del Salento IGT (current vintage)

CASA GIRELLI selected the winemakers for this wine in southern Puglia, near Sava, south of Taranto, where the vines benefit from the gentle breezes of the Ionio sea. The grapes, Primitivo and Negroamaro, are trained according to the "Albarello Pugliese" method (see diagram). Picking is early, during the first week of September, in order to retain the freshness in the wine and avoid too high alcohol and unattractive "cooked" flavors. It should be noted that Primitivo is believed to be the grape variety from which originated Zinfandel.

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