Fontella Sangiovese di Puglia

With the formidable 1997 vintage, Casa Girelli and F.W.I., Girelli’s sole U.S. agents, will be introducing Fontella Sangiovese di Puglia IGT to replace the former Fontella Sangiovese delle Marche. The wine will be released in the late spring alongside Casa Girelli’s Fontella Chianti DOCG 1997, also included in the range.

"Puglia has recently become one of the most exciting wine regions in Italy, due to the ‘explosion’ of high quality wines following the modernization and upgrading of the local wineries and improved winemaking techniques," remarked Stefano Girelli, managing director of the Trento-based winery. "Although better known as a Tuscan grape variety, Sangiovese has been thriving in Puglia for centuries. Nevertheless, it was not until a few years ago that its richness and complexity when grown on Puglian soil won my attention. Since then I have been carefully researching the vineyards and winemakers, and have now found the right place and the right producer to make a wine in our Casa Girelli style," concluded Mr. Girelli.

Due to the superb quality of the new Fontella Sangiovese di Puglia, Casa Girelli has prepared a special packaging to properly convey the excellence of its contents. While the label remains the same (a reprint of Leonardo da Vinci’s "La Signora con l’Ermelino") the bottle will be considerably taller and heavier, classic and classy.

The Sangiovese grapes for this wine are grown north of Bari in central Puglia near the Castel del Monte area, one of those most suited for red grape production. The wine is made at one of the region’s best equipped wineries; fermentation is in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature not exceeding 83°F with no wood aging. The resulting wine is rich, lush and delicious, packed with fruit and with a particularly big structure. Imported into the U.S. and available nationwide., the suggested retail price is $8.99.

"We are confident that the bold, ripe fruit flavours and aromas of our Sangiovese di Puglia will satisfy the most discerning Chianti consumer," remarked Mr. Girelli. "We expect our customers will be pleasantly surprised!" he added.

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