Marchesi Fumanelli Terso Bianco 2014
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2011-
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Fumanelli is one of the region’s largest and most historic family owned wineries, having 78 acres of exclusively estate grown fruit, within the walls of their ancient property, eight miles from Verona. As Amarone specialists, they deftly combine traditional and modern techniques to produce authentic expressions of their distinctive terroir. The Marchesi Fumanelli family have been cultivating grapes and producing prestigious wines in Valpolicella since 1470. The Squarano estate is located in the heart of Valpolicella, on a gentle hilltop surrounded by vineyards, cherry and cypress trees. Built in the seventeenth century by the noble Fumanelli family, one can still admire the inscriptions and archaeological remains to be seen on the grounds of the villa, including the vestiges of a temple dedicated to the Goddess Flora, built by the Romans who planted the first vines over a thousand years ago. Since 1998 the ancient cellars, after careful restoration, host once again the oak barrels for the aging of the classical Valpolicella wines. The barrel fragrances evoke the scents of the local hills of cypresses and cherries, having the colors, traditions and culture of the territory.
Marchesi Fumanelli is a family owned and managed winery currently managed by Armando Fumanelli. In his role as Proprietor and CEO of Marchesi Fumanelli, Armando leads his experienced team with the goal of deftly combining traditional and modern techniques to produce authentic expression of their distinctive terroir. Prior to joining Marchesi Fumanelli in 1998, Armando completed a Political Sceince degree in Switzerland and subsequently spent several years working for the Italian Embassy in several East African and Middle Eastern countries. Since joining his historic family winery, Armando has overseen the restructuring and replanting of the wine cellars and vineyards to bring the Squarano Estate back to its splendor and glamour of past centuries. Marchesi Fumanelli wines are the reference point for Pedigree and Provenance in the heart of Valpolicella.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
Producing every style of wine and with great success, the Veneto is one of the most multi-faceted wine regions of Italy.
Veneto's appellation called Valpolicella (meaning “valley of cellars” in Italian) is a series of north to south valleys and is the source of the region’s best red wine with the same name. Valpolicella—the wine—is juicy, spicy, tart and packed full of red cherry flavors. Corvina makes up the backbone of the blend with Rondinella, Molinara, Croatina and others playing supporting roles. Amarone, a dry red, and Recioto, a sweet wine, follow the same blending patterns but are made from grapes left to dry for a few months before pressing. The drying process results in intense, full-bodied, heady and often, quite cerebral wines.
Soave, based on the indigenous Garganega grape, is the famous white here—made ultra popular in the 1970s at a time when quantity was more important than quality. Today one can find great values on whites from Soave, making it a perfect choice as an everyday sipper! But the more recent local, increased focus on low yields and high quality winemaking in the original Soave zone, now called Soave Classico, gives the real gems of the area. A fine Soave Classico will exhibit a round palate full of flavors such as ripe pear, yellow peach, melon or orange zest and have smoky and floral aromas and a sapid, fresh, mineral-driven finish.
Much of Italy’s Pinot grigio hails from the Veneto, where the crisp and refreshing style is easy to maintain; the ultra-popular sparkling wine, Prosecco, comes from here as well.