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Frescobaldi launches CastelGiocondo 2006

Exports of Italian wine are growing globally and to the UK in particular where imports of Italian still wines have doubled to 250 million litres in the last eight years.

At the top end, Brunello di Montalcino is perhaps one of the best-known and most popular appellations, hence the release this month of Frescobaldi’s CastelGiocondo 2006, an exceptional vintage, has sparked interest from the trade. James Suckling, for example, has awarded it 95 points, commenting: “Frescobaldi’s Brunello always delivers great quality in just about any vintage. Gorgeous nose of ripe berries and sliced plums with an almost peach undertone. Full bodied, with a solid core of gorgeously clean and clear dark fruits. Dense and integrated tannins on the finish. So long and fascinating.”

In addition, the annual list of 100 Best Wines compiled by the Wine Spectator, crowned Brunello di Montalcino the world’s finest wine. In light of this, the historic Tuscan winery Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi presented the first tasting of its CastelGiocondo Brunello di Montalcino 2006 at the “dei Frescobaldi” restaurant in the new wine and spirits department in Harrods of London.

Jasper Corbett, UK wine expert and television presenter, recited the complex and “painstaking procedure” of the 2006 vintage: four years from the first-harvested berries in September to its two-year repose in oak and then to its final destination in the bottle.

Marquise Leonardo Frescobaldi, president Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi said: “It is with great pleasure to present the vintage 2006 of CastelGiocondo Brunello, a vintage that perfectly represents the character of the land of CastelGiocondo. An harmonious and elegant wine that will also be awarded to be kept for many years by wine collectors."

“This is a wine that truly fills us with pride. Everyone’s expectations for it are high, and we will certainly not disappoint them. The 2006 growing year was an emotional roller-coaster right from the beginning, and we held our breath throughout its course; but then arrived the warm, sunny days of mid-September, and we were finally able to bring in perfect-quality fruit, giving us a great vintage. CastelGiocondo 2006 is a wine of superb structure and aromatic complexity, and above all of remarkable elegance.” Adds Lamberto Frescobaldi, vice president Marchesi de' Frescobaldi.

About the wines
CastelGiocondo 2006 – bright, rich, garnet-edged ruby. On the nose is wild red and dark berry fruits combined with floral notes of violets and hawthorn, plus spice and vanilla. Its true complexity emerges on an aromatic finish laced with toasty impressions of roast espresso bean, cocoa powder, tobacco leaf, and vanilla. The mouth is smooth and impressively balanced, with fine-grained, supple tannins. A long finish is edged with fruit.

The Marchesi de’ Frescobaldi winery has producing wine for 700 years. Its wines, in the ultra-premium product niche, combine tradition and innovation, crafted in full respect for their local terroirs and reflecting the development of the estate-grown grapes in their vineyards to their fullest potential.

The Tuscan group comprises nine properties, which include the historic estates of Castello di Nipozzano, Castello di Pomino, Castel Giocondo, and Tenuta di Castiglioni. Over the last ten years, the revenues of the Gruppo Frescobaldi have more than tripled. In spite of the challenging economic juncture in the world of wine in the early years of the millennium, Group revenues rose in 2009 to 71.2 million Euros. Italian Wines Worldwide brought in revenues worth an estimated 3.7 billion Euros (+9%) in 2010. More than one fifth coming from the US, which edged out Germany (whose demand grew by only 1%), making the US Italy’s number one wine distribution market. In addition, emerging markets brought surprises as well. China saw its imports of Made in Italy products double in 2010, shooting up 102%, while Russia emerged as one of Italy’s most important business partners, with its share of 2010 exports estimated at 100 million Euros, up 51%.