Welcome to the 2017 Italian Collection
Having recently completed our third regional campaign in Bordeaux, we vowed to broaden our horizons by focussing on new markets - of the old world and the new. This campaign represents the first step on that journey.
Italy is the world’s largest producer of wine; as well as one of the oldest, with a history dating back more than 4,000 years. With this in mind, we embarked upon our Italian campaign with a singular aim; to introduce this wonderfully rich and diverse, yet surprisingly under-appreciated wine culture to our customers.
Over three days at the magnificent Bulgari Hotel in Milano, our team of Michelin-starred Sommeliers; Jean Marie Pratt from Sarment Hong Kong, Li Ze, from Sarment China and Jonathan Tingaud, from Sarment Singapore were joined by Sebastian Betolian, Head Sommelier from the Bulgari Hotel Milano, to blind taste 140 wines from 15 different Italian regions.
Venue: Bulgari Hotel Milano
First opened in May 2004, the Bulgari Hotel Milano marked the arrival of the Bulgari Group—one of the major players in luxury goods—into the world of hospitality. Ever since, the hotel has become a Milanese landmark, beguiling the most discerning patrons as a totem of the affluent Brera neighbourhood. The building embodies a uniquely classic, yet contemporary aesthetic. Accommodating just 58 rooms, and furnished to an impeccably luxurious standard, the hotel and its meticulously manicured grounds represented the perfect location for this campaign.
Five Star Regions
Piedmont
Piemonte, or Piedmont, is situated in the north-western corner of Italy, bordering Switzerland to the north and France to the west and almost stretching to the Mediterranean coast. It is widely considered to be Italy’s most terroiriste region with strong similarities to Burgundy in France, with whom it shares a near identical latitude and a reputation for producing excellent red wines. Despite this, Piemonte does not attract significant international tourism like other Italian regions; but it is globally renowned for its bucolic scenery especially during Autumn. In the wine world, the region is best known for the twin titans of Barolo and Barbaresco, as well as other popular red wines made from Barbera and Dolcetto, the white Gavi, and sparkling Asti.Emilia-Romagna
As its name suggests, Emilia-Romagna situated on the northern peninsula of Italy, was once considered two distinct, historical regions. Comprised of Emilia to the West, and Romagna to the East; Emilia-Romagna is a region with vinicultural traditions dating back to the 7th Century BC. Characterised by the gentle rolling hills between the River Po and the Apennine Mountains, which slope down toward the Adriatic Sea; the region is one of Europe’s wealthiest, with the third highest GDP per capita in Italy. Historically, it was also an important trade hub, and was serviced by Via Emilia, a road built during the Roman era and still one of the major transport routes between Milano and the Adriatic coast.Toscana
Toscana, anglicised as Tuscany, is arguably the most famous of all Italian wine regions. Situated in Central Italy, the region is bordered by Liguria and Emilia-Romagna to the north, Umbria and Marche to the east and Lazio to the south, and the Tyrrhenian Sea to the west. Tuscany is a popular destination for international visitors during European summer. However, beneath its effortlessly romantic landscape of picturesque hills, bijou villages and stunning tree-lined roads lies one of the most prolific and productive wine regions in the world. Moreover, the region has a reputation for producing such iconic wines as Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. In addition to its world-renowned reds, Tuscany is home to excellent dry white wines including Vernaccia di San Gimignano and sweet wines such as Vin Santo.
Italy 2017
Five Star Wineries
Azienda Vitivinic Ola La S Toppa
La Stoppa is an historic winery in the province of Piacenza in the Emilia region of Italy. Encompassing 58 hectares of vines and the ruins of a prominent medieval tower, the property was first founded and planted in the late 19th century by Giancarlo Ageno, who incorporated a number of French grape varieties into the vineyards. In 1991, Elena Pantaleoni joined her father; who had purchased the winery with no formal viticulture experience 18 years earlier, making La Stoppa a truly familial enterprise. By 1996, La Stoppa decided to cease cultivating non-native varietals; such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Pinot Noir. These were replaced with local grapes including Barbera, Bonarda and Malvasia.Fontanafredda
Founded in 1878 by Count Emanuele, the son of the first King of Italy – Victor Emmanuel II, Fontanafredda is a winery steeped in the history. Set amongst the idyllic beauty of Langhe’s ancient castles and Barolo vines, the estate spans more than 100 hectares, touching the villages Serralunga d’Alba, Barolo and Diano d’Alba. In 1858, Fontanafredda was purchased by Vittorio Emanuele II, the future King of Italy, as a gift for his favourite mistress, Rosa Vercellana, more commonly known as “La Bela Rosina”.Tenuta di San Fabiano
Situated on the hillsides of Chianti overlooking the town of Arezzo, Tenuta di San Fabiano exemplifies what the French refer to as terroir. This stunning, yet imposing property extends over 850 hectares, across mainly hilly terrain, at an altitude ranging from 250 to 450 metres above sea level. It has a total of 150 hectares of vineyards and three estates; Tenure of San Fabiano, Tenuta di Campriano, and Tenuta di Poggio Uliveto. All three estates cultivate Sangiovese grapes, alongside a varied assortment of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and Viognier. Historically known as the estate of Count Borghini Baldovinetti de’Bacci, San Fabiano is renowned for producing great wines, particularly its cru wine ‘L’Armaiolo’, which is typically regarded as its finest.Podere Brizio Robertoo Bellini
Podere Brizio Roberto Bellini is a well-known vineyard situated within the Montalcino commune of the Tuscan wine region. As recently as the 1970s, the estate was known as Azienda Agricola Chiesa di Santa Restituta until renowned viticulturist Roberto Bellini, born into a family of northern Italian agricultural entrepreneurs, purchased the winery. In 1996, Bellini sold 50% of the winery to Angelo Gaja (of Gaja Wines), though he retained the very best hectares of land, and established a partnership with the Cannoni-Mazzi family. In 2001, he used his recently acquired investment capital to renovate and modernise the old cellars.
Italy 2017
Most Memorable
Jean-Marie Pratt (Head of Wine & Sommeliers)
“The Montesecondo has lovely balance of fruit and texture. It is rare to have a Chianti that is so fruit-driven and smoothly textured. I remember drinking this wine with friends in London about six years ago, so I was very happy to see it again.” “The Serafini was a great discovery for me. It is made from 100% Recantina fruit, and I had never tasted that grape variety before. Of course, it was a very good wine too; warm, fruity and unexpectedly elegant.”Li Ze (Head of Wine, China)
“There are many Chianti varietals available in China, but it is rare to find one of such great quality and value. The Tenuta di San Fabiano is humbly produced, with all the power you expect from a Sangiovese, yet it retains the elegance of traditional Tuscan reds. An excellent everyday wine for all types of consumers.” “La Stoppa is one of the wineries I was familiar with, and the campaign featured three of its wines. I really love the natural style of their wines, but the Emilia Barbera Della Stoppa is definitely my favourite, super juicy with great depth when properly aged.” “Ruche was one of the grape varieties that was somewhat new to me, so the Montalbera was purely a discovery from this campaign. It is a fabulous, super elegant wine with an enormous bouquet reminiscent of the Syrah varietals from Northern Rhone.”Jonathan Tingaud (Sommelier, Singapore)
“I was immediately impressed by the Emilia Barbera Della Stoppa. It is produced from vines that are more than 80 years old, the oldest on the vineyard; which lends a depth of flavour that is quite wonderful. It was a good surprise, and very reasonably priced.” “The Nebbiolo Filari Corti was my favourite wine over the three days. It’s a great, organic Piedmont wine. It has a beautiful floral scent, with light acidity and excellent body… I also love how the Brandini wines are all organic and ecologically oriented.” “Ampeleia was an amazing discovery. It’s a synergistic blend of different grape varieties sourced from vineyards on the hillsides around the town of Roccatederighi, including Cabernet Franc and Sangiovese. It really embodies the land and represents the Mediterranean tradition of cultivating diversity.”