Don't Forget your Grillo this Summer!
As many of you will now be aware, ever since we first began importing them a few years ago the wines of proprietor Anna Muzzonlini, and her children Mattia and Julia, have completely captivated us and all those who have tasted them. From their charming 16th Century Manor House, nestled amongst the trees, in the picturesque rolling hills outside of the sleepy village of Albana di Prepotto in the very north-east corner of Italy, their family go about crafting some of the most gloriously refined, expressive and elegant Italian wines on the market today.
After taking over from her father in 1990 Anna immediately embarked on a quest for quality. She adopted a much more sustainable and organic approach to the viticulture, went about replanting many of the vineyards with native varietals to their region, and whilst in her fathers’ time the cellar has been run by employees, today Anna manages the entire 9 ha estate with the help of her son Mattia, overseeing every facet and minute detail.
We wanted todays mixed cases to reflect Anna proficiency in the production of both indigenous and international varieties! Anna manages to nurture the nuances and extract the best from whatever grape variety she is working with, whilst always seeking vibrance, elegance and refinement. These qualities also make her wines eminently drinkable over the summer months, accompanied by the warmth of the sun, a fresh English breeze and some fine-dining al fresco.
For Anna’s indigenous mixed case we have the aromatic and expressive Friulano, displaying zesty white peach and almonds; accompanied by their flagship red Schioppettino di Prepotto: deep, alluring, pure and mineral, singing with violets, ripe black and red berries and laced with subtle hints of pepper. Anna’s region Prepotto is highly regarded for producing the finest examples of Schioppettino.
For the international case we have an elegant and crowd-pleasing Merlot, really refined with complexity and finesse, whilst bursting at the seams with deliciously pure raspberries. Following this we have a classy and mineral Sauvignon Blanc, more akin in style to a great Pouilly Fumé, than Sancerre, and offering much more than the usual simple aromatic expressions, with a wonderful minerality, lovely ripe fruits and hints of white pepper and nettle leaf.
During our time in the wine trade there have been very few domaines that have captured our hearts quite so completely as Vini Grillo Iole. You are never too late to the party, but if you are yet to experience the pleasures of Vini Grillo Iole, you’d be doing yourself and your taste buds a disservice if you delay any longer. Enjoy!
Azienda Agricola Grillo Iole Indigenous Varietal Six-Bottle Mixed Case
This mixed case contains 3x each of the following wines:
2016 Friulano The Friulano are the oldest vines on the estate and the variety is the most widely planted in the region. This is another wonderfully aromatic and expressive varietal. A little more weight and depth, with ripe, white peach and hints of bitter almond, combined with subtle wet stone minerality and subtle peppery notes. Lovely harmony and lingering, clean finish.
2019 Schioppettino di Prepotto Anna’s flagship wine! The 2019 Schioppettino di Prepotto is a beautiful ruby red in the glass with a delightful purity on the nose. Wonderfully alluring, the bouquet is fragrant and fruity, with notes of violets, ripe black and red berries laced with subtle hints of pepper and gentle spicey aromas reminiscent of cloves. The palate is marked by a fabulous intensity and freshness, with delineation and focus. The berry fruit from the nose delivers in spades, with mouth-wateringly ripe, crunchy red cherries, bright raspberries and blackcurrant notes. This is all wonderfully balanced with gentle spice and a great mineral line that adds a welcome levity and elegance to proceedings. Incredible refined there is almost a Burgundian finesse here! Elegant enough to go with a range of aperitifs and starters, whilst having ample structure to support a wide variety of mains: from braised and roasted meat and game to smoked or spicy fish. The versatile 2019 Schioppettino will surprise you!
Azienda Agricola Grillo Iole International Varietal Six-Bottle Mixed Case
This mixed case contains 3x each of the following wines:
2022 Sauvignon Blanc Although not an indigenous variety, the Sauvignon Blanc is in fact a speciality of the domaine and takes on a personality of its own here! Coming from 30-year-old vines and having spent 7 months in contact with its lees in stainless steel, this Sauvignon has tantalizing aromas, reminiscent of a Pouilly Fume. Super intensity on the palate with hints of nettle and white pepper, fine minerality with a lovely balance of vibrant acidity. Real character and class, with a long, fine finish. Ideal for all occasions, but excellent with hot and cold fish dishes, salami and cold meat platters, white meats, creamy dishes, as well as sushi and sashimi.
2020 Merlot A deep ruby colour in the glass. This is an incredibly fragrant Merlot with lovely minerality and purity of fruit. The palate is intense and attractive, bursting with cherries sour cherries and red currants with delicate hints of sweet raspberries. Clean and mineral, with a wonderful elegance and overall balance, this is a really well-crafted, crowd-pleasing Merlot. Just like many of Annas wines, this will go perfectly with a wide variety of occasions and dishes, however it will certainly sing alongside red meats, aged cheeses, poultry and stewed rabbit.