Fantinel Wines and Spirit - Italian Wine Merchants (IWM)

January 20, 2010

Fantinel: Good Wine and Good Will
Nearly four decades ago, Fantinel purchased the first of several vineyards in Friuli and began making a wide range of wines. Today the winery, run by his three sons, now comprises some of the best vineyards in the region and produces some of its most sought-after, reasonably priced wines.

Fantinel Prosecco Brut Rose NV

Prosecco is the classic Italian aperitivo and this example offers ample evidence for its popularity; lots of lush, mouth-filling fruit and a clean, minerally finish.

Quantity	Price
1 – 11	$19.80
12 +	$18.22

Fantinel Brut Prosecco Extra Dry NV

The Fantinel Brut Extra Dry is a bright, lively wine that's a bit softer than the standard Proscecco; it's also quite elegant, with delightful floral aromas.

Quantity	Price
1 – 11	$16.00
12 +	$14.72

Fantinel Pinot Grigio Sant'Helena 2007

Lively and vibrant, this wine is all about mouthwatering acidity. Exhibiting far more than its light-hearted neighbors, Sant’Helena’s take displays roundness and weight, piquant spice, and herbal characteristics, making it quite a bit more than a match for fried seafood.

Quantity	Price
1 – 11	$21.45
12 +	$19.73

Fantinel Ribolla Gialla 2008

Perhaps most evocative of the family’s enological philosophy is Fantinel’s take on Ribolla, an indigenous Friulian grape rescued from the brink of extinction in the last fifty years. While we have talked about this grape’s ability to age for decades, this limited-production wine delivers a crowd-pleasing interpretation for today, marrying tropical and citrus notes in a silky, full-bodied style. Take note of the nutty finish: it is exceptionally long.

$26.00

Fantinel Merlot Celebrate Life 2007

Acidic and soft, mellow palate of raspberry, mushroom, and tar, underlain by notes of black pepper, earth, and oak.

Quantity	Price
1 – 11	$10.35
12 +	$9.52

Fantinel 5-Bottle Wine Sampler

Includes 1 of each wine below:
Fantinel Prosecco Brut Rose NV
Fantinel Prosecco Brut Extra Dry NV
Fantinel Pinot Grigio Sant'Helena 2007
Fantinel Ribolla Gialla 2008
Fantinel Merlot Celebrate Life 2007

$93.60

Fantinel Grappa Tocai

Traditionally enjoyed by Northern Italians, the origin of grappa is unknown. However, written word traces it to the mid-fifteenth century, where it was distilled in the Italian Alps. The first known use of grappa was to “rinse” the after dinner coffee cup with a shot of this delightful drink. Grappa is produced by extracting the alcohol from grape vinacce or pomice, the leftovers of wine grape pressings, and is then put through an intense distillation process.

Generally considered a digestivo among Italians, with its crystalline color, grappa is the Italian way to relax and enter a moderate euphoria after a meal. Enjoyed on its own, with a cocktail, or mixed with dessert this grape-flavored drink can be enjoyed dry or on the rocks.

After years of research, the Fantinel family launched the Suprema Grappa line to embody the pinnacle of Friulian grappa and Italian style. The Suprema Grappa has immediate nuances of the Tocai, a grape variety from which a wine of absolute excellence is made in Friuli. This grappa has an intense and unmistakable bouquet and dry and noble taste.

In its debut on the market, Suprema Grappa was highly praised by the panel judging the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. The Grappa Tocai took home a gold medal.

The exact origin of grappa is unknown although it can be traced all the way back to the mid-fifteenth century, where it was distilled in the Italian Alps. Grappa is produced by extracting the alcohol from grape vinacce or pomice, the leftovers of wine grape pressings which are then distilled. The Fantinel Suprema Grappa Tocai has the intense and unmistakable bouquet of the Tocai grape and a penetrating flavor. When this grappa debuted at the 2009 San Francisco World Spirits Competition it
took home a gold medal.

Note: Fantinel's Suprema Grappa Tocai will be available in approximately 6 weeks as the estate is in between bottlings.

$74.25

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