Fantini Calalenta Pecorino

Fantini Calalenta Pecorino has crisp, mineral aromas of white pulp fruit, especially pears, supported and enhanced by balsamic, woody undertones.

• Brand: Fantini
• Description: Dry White
• Vintages Available: 2021
• Country, Region: Italy, Abruzzo
• Appellation: DOC

About the Producer

The Fantini Group has its head office in Castello Caldora, near Ortona, a coastal town in the Province of Chieti, Abruzzo.

Established in 1994, it soon became the leading wine producer in Abruzzo and Southern Italy, both in terms of volumes (24 million bottles) and quality. From the start the company attracted the attention of the industry’s main experts due to its modern entrepreneurial approach, strict quality standards and quick commercial penetration. 18 talented winemakers, all with international experience, produce high quality wines from six different regions in Central and Southern Italy: Abruzzo, Tuscany, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia and Sicily. The company has achieved worldwide recognition, as testified by the many acknowledgements received from wine critics, wine guides and in major international wine contests.

Farnese was named “Best Italian Producer” in 2016, 2017 and 2019 by a prominent Italian wine guide, Luca Maroni’s “Annuario dei Migliori Vini Italiani”. It was also declared “2017 Producer of the Year” by the important German wine competition “Mundus Vini” and by Belgian journalist Alain Bloeykens. Furthermore, its red wine “Edizione Cinque Autoctoni” – the company’s flagship – has been “Wine of the Year” for 9 years running. In recent years, over 70 gold medals and international trophies have enriched the company awards list, including its inclusion in the “Wine Spectator Top100”. Recently the company – thanks also to the participation of a large international equity fund – has completed the acquisition of a new cellar in Sardinia (“Atzei”) and in Spain (“Finca Fella”).

Grapes

100% Pecorino

Vineyard

The vineyards are situated around the town of Ortona, on the Adriatic coast of the Abruzzo region. Facing west and south west, vines are planted on calcareous clay soils of a medium texture and trained on a pergola system.

Vinification

The grapes are hand-picked at night time (“calalenta”) in order to preserve their full aromas. After picking, the grapes are rapidly pressed and cooled down to -1°C using inert atmosphere generation. The must is settled statically and then 80% of the free-run juice is fermented in stainless steel tanks at 12°C in order to extract as many aromatic components as possible. The reminder of the juice is fermented in 40 Hl oak barrels.

Ageing

After the final blend, Fantini Calalenta Pecorino is kept in stainless steel tanks where it receives a light and short aging on the lees for 30 days. Then, it is gently fined, filtered and subsequently bottled.

Tasting Notes

Fantini Calalenta Pecorino has a straw yellow colour with greenish highlights. Aromas of white pulp fruit, especially pears, and balsamic notes reflecting the good quality of the wood.

Analysis

13% alcohol vol.

Food Suggestions

Fantini Calalenta Pecorino is outstanding as an aperitif, it pairs perfectly with ham and melon, cream of vegetables soup, smoked fish, aubergines parmigiana, crayfish, linguine with seafood and roast chicken. Also excellent with soft cheeses.

Serving temperature: 10-12°C.

Cellar

Ready to drink now, Fantini Calalenta Pecorino will keep well for another 2 years if suitably cellared.