m68 – New wines from Etna are available for distribution in the UK (Etna Bianco, Etna Rosso, and Etna Rosato). For more info about this astonishing wine area check this post: https://www.favs.wine/post/sicily-etna

m67 – New regulation after Brexit demands the importer's address to be on bottle labels, so Favourite Wines will comply to this additional requirement in due course.

m66 – Prowein (15–17 May). This year ProWein came in May rather than in winter. Weather has been amazing in this marvellous German city that yearly hosts the most international wine fair. Among other meetings, I've appreciated to exchange some words with the lovely people of Bourgogne whom patiently tried to reply my questions about their important appellation.

m65 – Vinitaly (10–13 Apr). It has been nice to meet Cascina del Colle from Abruzzo at Vinitaly '22. Abruzzo Trebbiano Duca Minimo is available for distribution in the UK.

m64 – New Franciacorta wines available for distribution in the UK. Check for more info on this post: https://www.favs.wine/post/sparkling-franciacorta

Origin and culture CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO can be available in four types: still, frizzante, spumante SUPERIORE, and spumante SUPERIORE DI CARTIZZE. Area for viticulture is limited to 15 municipalities, between Conegliano and Valdobbiadene; Superiore di Cartizze grapes can be cultivated only in one sub-municipality of Valdobbiadene called S. Pietro di Barbozza. On labelling, when it is written “Conegliano Valdobbiadene” it is not necessary to add “Prosecco” or “Superiore” terms. It is possible to mention the specific municipality of production of the grapes by adding the term “Rive” and by including the vintage of production. Geographic territory is characterized by hills adjacent to Dolomitic Alps with soils made of sandstone and marl, alternated with layers of morainic and alluvial origin. Climate is temperate with relevant day to night temperature range. History of viticulture in the area dates to tablets of roman colonies. References then come from the VI century writings of the bishop of Poitiers who was born in Valdobbiadene and recalls the wine production of his birthplace; then many documents from the XIII century called “Statutes of Conegliano” during the rule of Venetian Republic, mention the wine as being appreciated by the foreigners royal courts of England, Augsburg, and Poland. The first reference of term Prosecco in Conegliano is of 1772. Various vinicultural studies were then brought forward around Prosecco grape varieties and their identification and selection. Winemaking tradition of the territory and scientific culture led then to the establishment of the first school of viticulture and enology of Italy (and of the world), in Conegliano in 1876, which is still today the main centre of research on viticulture for the Italian ministry of agriculture. In 1962 winemakers of the area went together to create a consortium for protecting the name PROSECCO DEI COLLI DI CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE. 1966 has seen the birth in the area of the first Strada del Vino (wine trail) of Italy, which confirms the winemaking tradition alongside with the pleasantness of the environment. Since 2020 the area is UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wine characteristics CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE PROSECCO SPUMANTE SUPERIORE colour is straw-yellow with persistent foam; smell is pleasant, characteristic; taste is fresh, harmonious.

Wine origin and culture AMARONE DELLA VALPOLICELLA can be produced in vineyards located in 19 municipalities in province of Verona, with grape varieties authorized for the cultivation in the area, after minimum four years from the vineyard planting, from vines trained exclusively at “Spalliera” or “Pergola Veronese”. Grapes must be withered and following dehydration they must be enough sweet to give a wine with natural alcohol content of at least 14%. Withering (“appassimento”) must respect traditional parameters, and wine cannot be vinified before the 1st of December. Selling cannot start before minimum fining of two years, starting from the 1st January of the year after the harvest. Label must record the vintage. Geographically, the area of production covers the foothills of Verona province from Garda Lake almost until bordering with the province of Vicenza. Climate is mild, due to southern exposition of the vineyards, influence of Garda Lake and windscreen protection of Lessini mountains range. Heigh of vineyards can reach 500 meters asl. Amarone della Valpolicella history begins four centuries after Christ when Theodoric, king of Visigoths, required for his table wine obtained with the withered grapes. After 1000 CE, Amarone della Valpolicella wine value was used as a form of payment for feudal right. References to this wine continue with a specific mention discovered in a land registry evaluation document dated 1503. The earliest tasting notes on this wine appears by the end of the 19th century and the first selling of a bottle named “Amarone della Valpolicella” dates 1953. In 1968 we have the first attestation of the name as protected identification of origin. The success of this wine continued with positive, enthusiastic reviews from wine critics and was secured by the continual improvement of winemaking techniques implemented by the winemakers for several years, in viticulture, withering, winemaking, fining and ageing stages. Amarone has probably the greatest longevity among the greatest Italian wines. Wine characteristics AMARONE colour is charged red, sometimes tending to garnet with ageing; perfume is characteristic, bold; taste is full, velvety, warm; the minimum alcohol content is 14%.

m63 – New Spanish wines available for distribution in the UK. They come from Catalunya wine regions of Priorat, Montsant, and Terra Alta. To find out more info about Montsant wines check this post: https://www.favs.wine/post/spain-montsant

m62 – Interesting visit to Terre di San Venanzio Fortunato winery (available for delivery) which is one of the very few wineries bottling Cartizze Prosecco. Cartizze has always been an extremely exclusive area of production for Prosecco Superiore, located in one of the denomination most historical and traditional part. Only 106 hectares are intended for vineyards in the San Pietro di Barbozza municipality, for real a very limited production. The value of the area, as seen in the picture taken last January, comes from its unique position. It is on top of the (sole) hill located on the foothill of the Dolomitic pre-Alps AND in the middle of the Valley between the mountains and Valdobbiadene hills. Because of this it enjoys both the wind coming from the mountain in the evening AND the wind coming from the valley during the day. Therefore, limited intervention is needed to protect the plants from general diseases (which most often occur in absence of wind). Forewords on Prosecco Superiore origin, culture and characteristics have been collected in one blog post available at https://www.favs.wine/post/veneto-prosecco-superiore

m61 – Briefing time: November 30th Favourite Wines ended its fifth year of activity; 2021 vs 2020 laid in figures: turnover +12%, loan inflow +83%; current assets +41%.

m60 – Three more wines coming from Valpolicella are available for delivery in Favourite Wines selection: Valpolicella Classico 2020, Valpolicella Ripasso 2018 and Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2018. Forewords on Amarone origin, culture and characteristics have been collected in one blog post available at https://www.favs.wine/post/veneto-amarone-della-valpolicella

m59 – Favourite Wines to implement collaboration with Cambridge distributor 3Venice Wine Merchants aimed to import a selection of wines from the north eastern Italian regions.