FRIULANO
Conte Brandolini
APPELLATION
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
GRAPE VARIETIES
100% Friulano grape
WINEMAKERS
Brandino Brandolini
TECHNICAL DATA
Alcohol
12%
Destiny, or ventura, is a word that appears over and over in the history of the Brandolini family. This is the history of a man and his burning love for the place that witnessed his birth and growth. And it was precisely destiny that brought the young Brandino from Paris, where he studied, without any great enthusiasm, to his experience in the kibbutz life, located west of Haifa, Israel. His immersion there, in a life in contact with the earth, excited him to such a degree that he took up studies in Agronomy at Texas A&M University. After concluding his studies, Brandino’s return to Venice and to his beloved Vistorta once again. He felt strong emotions, as a place that had provided play space during a happy childhood, now became his home as an adult. Then destiny intervened once again: following a stay at Château Greysac’s estate in Bordeaux, he made the decision, along with winemaker George Pauli, to focus totally on the merlot grape. In the mid–1980’s, Count Brandino continued to pursue his ambitious goal of producing world class Merlot at his familys 500 acre estate with state of the art cellars providing the opportunity to produce these exceptional wines.
WINEMAKING & VINTAGE NOTESThe vineyards are comprised of sandy-gravelly soils. Maceration lasts for 48 hours. The grapes are lightly pressed, alcoholic fermentation in reduction at 61° for seven days. Then, permanence in cement tanks on the lees for five months with a weekly batonage.
TASTING NOTESThe wine is a bright straw-yellow in color with green hues. The bouquet features pear and apple notes and a pronounced hint of almond. The taste is dry, fresh and velvety, with a nice bitter finish. Enjoy as an aperitif; also ideal with cured ham, appetizers and first courses or fish-based dishes.
