Choice of transversal tastings from the yearly Cuzziol GrandiVini tasting which provides a few of the manufacturers in the brochure, consisting of some brand-new items for 2024.
Cuzziol GrandiVini archives a record-breaking 2023. In reality, in 2015 closed with a turnover of over 25 million euros, up 4.9% compared to the previous year. A remarkable outcome that validates the business as one of the most fascinating gamers in the quality white wine circulation market.
Thanks to a close-knit group and an extensive sales network: 30 individuals, 43 Italian and 90 foreign business dispersed; 160 sales representatives who look after nearly 7 thousand consumers spread out throughout the nationwide area; 2 million bottles provided in 2023. These are the numbers that inform the strength of Cuzziol GrandiVini.
” I am pleased with the outcomes gotten,” states Luca Cuzziol beaming. And it could not be otherwise, considered that 2023 was a year of fantastic obstacles, however likewise of fantastic complete satisfaction. “The 2nd half of the year remained in decrease, particularly in the ho.re.ca market to which we primarily attend to– continues Cuzziol– However our business group and the whole business structure had the ability to respond, supporting the sales network well and permitting it to accomplish outstanding outcomes.”
However Cuzziol GrandiVini is not pleased. The business seeks to the future with aspiration, continually looking for brand-new cellars and terroirs to check out. And 2024 guarantees to be filled with brand-new things. New entries in the portfolio, with denominations missing or improperly represented, to develop options to existing patterns. Amongst the brand-new entries, Fontefico (Abruzzo), Colpaola (Marche) and Giuseppe Vezzoli (Franciacorta), for a choice that accepts the entire of Italy. In addition to the addition in the brochure of some Austrian, German, French, Australian and even American business.
TRANSVERSAL TASTINGS THROUGH ITALY Here are a few of the most fascinating tastings beginning with the “Italian” novelties.
Fontefico– La foia Abruzzo Doc Pecorino Superiore 2021 2 siblings, Nicola and Emanuele Altieri, sustainable farming concentrated on native Abruzzo vines and vineyards neglecting the Gulf of Vasto. Here the pecorino, trebbiano and montepulciano vines are penetrated by the salted and consistent wind of the Adriatic, which defines Fontefico white wines with fantastic taste and minerality. Each white wine originates from a single, particular vineyard, so each has its own unique identity. Vineyard location of 15 hectares, for a yearly production of around 50 thousand bottles.
Pure Pecorino with sluggish fermentation (40 days), maturation for 4 months in steel and one year in concrete. Even more 150 days off in the bottle. Golden gown, chamomile flowers, spices and candied fruit in the intricacy of its odor. Rich, lively sip, creaminess that contrasts well with a tasty minerality that extends a remarkably relentless surface.
Colpaola– Verdicchio di Matelica Doc 2022 Mountain vineyards grown at approximately 650 meters above water level, in the Monte San Vicino nature reserve, the heart of the denomination near Matelica, in a position that enables Colpaola to produce among the most specific typologies of verdicchio, carefully bottled with a screw cap which enhances its freshness, drinkability, durability and character.
Manual harvest that ends in late October. Fermentation and improvement on honorable lees. In the glass it provides a brilliant straw yellow, opens on a flower hawthorn, tips of flint, fruity notes with white pulp, and subtleties of fragrant herbs that revitalize the surface. Agile on the sip, lively and decorated with a fresh and enjoyable citrus vein. The taste of salt reaches an almondy surface with a long perseverance.
Weingut Rohregger– Alte Reben Kalterersee Classico Alto Adige Doc 2021 In 2019 Stephan Rohregger not just took over from his dad Roland in the management of the household Prälatenhof vineyards however satisfied his imagine ending up being, together with his other half, a little vigneron. There is definitely no absence of experience, for more than 15 years wine maker of Tiefenbrunner, Rohregger just deals with exclusive grapes that originate from 2 vineyards, one in Pianizza di Sotto, near Caldaro, primarily trained in schiava, pinot grigio and sauvignon, the other in Graun, above Cortaccia, with pinot blanc, pinot noir and sauvignon here too. 3 and a half hectares of vineyards for a production that does not reach 10 thousand bottles annually.
Stephan is among those, particularly in Caldaro, who has actually constantly thought that the schiava – still today the most cultivated range in Südtirol – might be valorised in a various method. A brand-new method made from beauty, a great structure and perseverance however constantly keeping that particular pleasantness of fruit and beverage, that juiciness that is neither tannic nor astringent. Fermentation in concrete tanks, malolactic and maturation in 3 tonneaus for 9 months (just 1,970 bottles). 6 months rest in the bottle before marketing. The nearly centenary vines (Alte Reben, exactly “old vine”) have actually significantly assisted Stephan to produce a declination of traditional kalterersee that might remember a really enjoyable, refined Pinot Noir with great durability.
Weingut Tiefenbrunner– Vigna AU Chardonnay Riserva Alto Adige Doc 2020 From Oltradige to Bassa Atesina it is a brief action, here we discover Christof Tiefenbrunner, together with his other half Sabine and their kids Anna and Johannes, 5th and 6th generation, at the helm of a business winery that boasts centuries of history, Tiefenbrunner– Schlosskellerei Turmhof. 25 hectares of owned vineyards in Niclara, Cortaccia and Magrè, in between 210 and 1,000 meters above water level, while another 55 hectares are cultivated by around fifty wine makers who have actually been providing the grapes for several years. Practically 700 thousand bottles are produced each year, of which 80% are gewurztraminers.
A production viewpoint summed up in the Choice VIGNA line to which its top-of-the-range white wines belong. A task, a crucial obstacle, looking for brand-new methods to set no limitations to quality however appreciating a century-old custom. As specified by Christof himself a couple of years ago “It is a total idea that consists of the whole production cycle from the vine to the glass of white wine. In a well-selected cru, the particular ranges can best reveal themselves in a natural method. The restricted yields, the cautious care of the soil, the environment and the vine itself add to the originality of the vineyard. In the cellar it suffices to improve these initial attributes of the location, to provide the white wine time and area to establish and obtain a distinct character”.
The grapes of the Vigna AU Chardonnay Riserva are grown at 300 meters in a vineyard of around one hectare in Niclara, a hamlet of Cortaccia on the White Wine Path, with vines that are over 70 years of ages. Gathered at maturity, they are entire lot pushed, spontaneous fermentation with a pied de cuve, in oak barriques with relative maturation on their great lees for about a year. 6 months in steel for natural decanting and information, in addition to one year in the bottle. A specific range from the traditional South Tyrolean oaked Chardonnays, a really expert usage of wood and well incorporated with the fragrant intricacy of its arrangement of mineral notes of flint, tips of unique fruit and flower essences. Extreme, covering, unified sip. Significant taste perseverance.
Suavia– Choice of Places: Fittà , Castellaro and Tremenalto Soave Classico Doc 2020 Not all volcanic soils are the very same, there can be numerous distinctions even within the very same location. And the 3 Tessari siblings– Alessandra, Meri and Valentina– born and raised in the Fittà district, in the heart of the Soave Classico, co-owners of Suavia, understand this effectively.
Thanks to an enthusiastic job – I Luoghi – of research study in the vineyard on 3 lands currently acknowledged as extra geographical systems and in the cellar, after 5 years of work 3 crus of Soave Classico were born, each with its special attributes: Castellaro, Fittà and Tremendous. 2,000 recommendations each, from choices of pure Garganega, the symbolic range of the location, vinified independently however in the very same method. Harvest in mid-October, fermentation and maturation for 12 months in contact with the great lees in steel tanks, and improvement for 2 years in the bottle. The outcome is 3 white wines completely appreciable from each other.
In the Fittà vineyard, where the old Garganega vines were planted in the early 1940s, 2 various kinds of soil were determined, the initially more clayey, the 2nd with the existence of a complex range of basaltic rocks. Sharp like a blade, it is defined by sulphurous and smoky notes that integrate with citrus aromas. Long and meaningful on the taste buds and crossed by a tasty path that mixes well with fruity feelings and an almond surface.
In Castellaro the soil is incredibly stony and abundant in skeleton. The Garganega vines – trained on the Veronese pergola – have approximately 50 years of age. It opens with mineral feelings accompanied by an unique note of white pepper and jasmine scent. Tense and energetic sip, the surface is long and saline.
The soils of Tremenalto are the most different, 3 various types with noticeably various attributes, a basaltic rock incredibly reddened by the oxidative procedures of modification of the minerals, a part considerably protected by the erosive procedures, while another incredibly deteriorated on the surface area. In this vineyard the Garganega plants are on typical 60 years of ages. Warm and milky nose, quince jam integrates with orange bloom and candied fruit. On the taste buds it is broad, round, driven by a background of taste and freshness
TASTINGS THROUGHOUT THE BORDER Bruno Paillard’s Extra-Brut NPU 2008 from Champagne. Pinot noir and chardonnay in equivalent parts, develops 140 months on the lees, in addition to 2 years post disgorgement before marketing. Little red fruit, orange enthusiasm and ginger which develops towards a somewhat smoky character. Lively, deep and covering sip, supported by a long perseverance.
Additional Brut La Grande Ruelle Ambonnay Grand Cru 2008 from Gonet– Médeville. Pure Pinot noir disgorged in July 2023, over 14 years on the yeasts, 2 g/litre sugar dose. Significant minerality well incorporated with notes of lime, star anise and toasted tips. With great body and taste, noteworthy freshness and long fragrant perseverance.
The democratic option to Burgundy is the gamay of Beaujolais and Jean-François Coquard is an excellent interpreter of it. After 15 years invested in Oltrepò Pavese at Tenuta Mazzolino, working carefully with Kyriakos Kynigopoulos, among the best professionals and lovers of Burgundy, he has actually discovered its tricks and made his own that efficient level of sensitivity that brought him back home to the south of Beaujolais, to enliven his cellar. Morgon Les Charmes 2020 is a red wine that sticks out for its skill and beauty. Significant aromaticity of the fruit, a subtle touch of pepper and spice notes, the pleasantness of the sip accompanied by a dynamic taste and the special of the tannin. The last stretch was great.
If you desire a “taste” of what the renowned white wines of the Napa Valley can be like, such as the Bordeaux mix of Harlan Estate or the cabernet sauvignon gran crus of Bond and Promontory, you can attempt The Mascot Napa Valley 2019 by The Mascot, the current brand-new entry of the Harlan household. Born as a household white wine, without a name and without a label, it is a hill cabernet sauvignon that originates from the youngest vineyards of the 3 symbolic domaines of Californian wine making established by H. William Harlan.
The short article Cuzziol GrandiVini, a record-breaking 2023 and brand-new tastings for 2024 originates from VinoNews24.