Franco Bengazi from The Wine Emporium, wine importers and distributors, introduced me to Tiziano Vistalli when I was in Florence for an event called “Buy Tuscany.” We had dinner together at Restaurant Cibreo and drank a white wine that I enjoyed made by Tiziano. As we talked I learned that Tiziano is an enologist and makes and consults on wine for a number of different producers.
Tiziano Vistalli
when I was in Verona in May, I met Tiziano for lunch and tasted the wines that he makes for Fattoria le Corgne near Valfabbrica in the province of Perugia in Umbria. The owner of the winery is Andrea Formilli Fendi.
SVGB 2012 100% Sauvignon Blanc – the vineyards are at 650/700 meters, exposure is North-South. There are 4,500 vines/ha and the training system is spurred cordon. Harvest is manual and takes place in the beginning of September. Fermentation is at a controlled temperature and lasts for about 20 days. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks and remains on the lees until April, and then it is racked. The wine is bottled in September and rests in bottle for six months before release. This is a wine with hints of citrus and grapefruit, a touch of herbs and grass, nice minerailty and good acidity.
PNTN 2011 100% Pinot Noir – Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature for about 15 days and maceration continues for another 10 days. The wine is aged in French oak barrels for 18 months and during this time the wine is racked twice. In April the final assembly was made and the best barrels selected. The wine was bottled in September and released six months later. This is a wine with hints of wild strawberries and a touch of spice.
MRLT 2011 100% Merlot-– Harvest takes place in the middle of October. Fermentation is at a controlled temperature and maceration continues for another 10 days. The wine is aged in French oak for barrels for 18 months and is racked twice. The wine was bottled in September and released six months later. It was once said be a famous Italian wine consultant that Umbria might be the best place in Italy to grow Merlot grapes and in this case he might be right.
Fralù IGT Umbria 2010 made from 70 Merlot, 20 Sangiovese and 10% Pinot Noir. The soil is clay and calcareous. The wine is unfiltered.