Latest news with #Fantini
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Italy's Fantini buys Venta la Vega to boost Spain wine output
Italy-based wine group Fantini has expanded further in Spain with the acquisition of the Venta la Vega winery and vineyards. The deal comprises 180 hectares of vineyards in Castilla-La Mancha and could increase Fantini's production in Spain by ten times. Fantini entered the country four years ago with the acquisition of the Finca Fella winery, also in Castilla-La Mancha. Finca Fella's output is around one million bottles a year, which could increase to ten million over time, the company said. 'We will be able to increase our Spanish production tenfold, which is set to become the most important of our entire group in a short time,' Fantini said in a statement. Fantini said its 2023 sales in Spain 'exceeded all expectations' and prompted fresh investment. "[Castilla La Mancha] is a less-known area right now, but it has huge potential and could soon be the next big thing for Spanish wines," the company said. CEO Valentino Sciotti added: 'Finca Fella is growing so rapidly that we felt the need to be able to increase production volumes and at the same time be able to continue to raise its already high quality levels." Fantini was founded in 1994 in Ortona in the Abruzzo region of Italy. The business is headquartered in Pella. The group's total wine production is approximately 22-23m bottles a year. "Italy's Fantini buys Venta la Vega to boost Spain wine output" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Irish Examiner
13-06-2025
- Irish Examiner
Wine with Leslie: Deep reds to savour from my Italian excursion
Last week, I extolled the joys of Abruzzo following a holiday there; and this week I'm talking about Puglia, where we took a short trip to explore the pretty city of Bari. Unlike Abruzzo, we did see other tourists in Bari's old town, and it seems it is one of Italy's new cool destinations. We ate well in Bari, with seafood to the fore of course, but also orecchiette pasta ragu; made with rich brascioli, thinly sliced beef rolled in a ball and held together with toothpicks, before being braised slowly in a rich tomato sauce. I've frequently praised the wines of Puglia on this page, so it was wonderful to drink them in situ. Naturally, we drank Primitivo di Manduria, the region's most famous DOC, with the brascioli mentioned above. I failed to find the sweet dolce naturale version, which was elevated to DOCG in 2010. Hopefully next time. Primitivo originates in Croatia (as Tribidrag) but is probably best known as Zinfandel from California. The Pugliese version tends to be darker and richer due to climate variation (and different clones), while the Californian version is usually higher in alcohol, and has more sweet dried raspberry fruits. Puglia has 28 DOC and 4 DOCG wines, but most of what you find on shelves in Ireland are IGT regional wines, often sold as varietals. Be a little wary of appassimento dried grape versions, as some can have 8 or 10g of sugar: they will be tasty, but you may find them a little sweet. Below I recommend a Nero di Troia from Northern Puglia, a Primitivo and Falanghina. I would have recommended susumaniello rosé if I could find one but none seem to be available. Also watch for Salice Salentino, made from Negroamaro and Malvasia nera; it has a dried-grape complexity that is also rather fascinating. Maree D'Ione Nero di Troia Organic, Puglia, Italy, €14.95-15.95 Maree D'Ione Nero di Troia Organic, Puglia, Italy, €14.95-15.95 1601; Matsons; Vintry; Worldwide Wines; independent off-licences Nero di Troia is only really found in northern Puglia, and this is one of the best I've tasted. The grape can sometimes be tannic and darkly fruity, but this version has a lovely floral lightness of touch. Ripe plum and cherry fruit flavours, with some spice and dark plums on the centre palate and rounded dark fruits. Vigneti del Salento Primitivo 'I Muri', Puglia, Italy, €14.95-15.95 Vigneti del Salento Primitivo 'I Muri', Puglia, Italy, €14.95-15.95 JJ O'Driscoll; World Wide Wines; Baggot St Wines; Vintry; Martins; Lilac; McHughs; Owned by the Fantini group, the grapes are from the communes of Sava and Manduria (the latter being the most famous region for Primitivo). Ripe blackberry and plum aromas, juicy darker fruits on the palate, including dark cherry and baked plums, savoury and ripe. Also watch for its sister wine, Luccarelli Primitivo. Feudi San Gregorio, 'Falanghina del Sannio', Campania, Italy, €20 Feudi San Gregorio, 'Falanghina del Sannio', Campania, Italy, €20 Matsons; Martins; Blackrock Cellar; independents Falanghina is found in Puglia, Molise (the small region between Abruzzo and Puglia) and most famously in Campania (sadly I couldn't find a Pugliese version to recommend). This is weighty and fragrant, with apricot-kernel and lemon and lime blossom aromas. On the palate there is pleasing texture and mouth-filling richness, cut by minerality, spice hints and a dried-lemon character. MEAD OF THE WEEK Kinsale Wildflower Irish Mead, 12% ABV, 70cl €45 Kinsale Wildflower Irish Mead, 12% ABV, 70cl €45 Celtic Whiskey Shop; This fascinating new mead is aged in Irish oak barrels from Midleton Distillery - it's a 'Miskey' if you will. There are two other versions, a 'black forest' and a 'wild forest'; all three are gorgeous. Made from West Cork honey, this has floral butterscotch and vanilla aromas, a layered palate with lychee and honey notes, a background of Midleton whiskey, and a sweet nutty complexity. Wonderful.
