AGRIVERDE “70” MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC 2013

FOUNDERS’ CHOICE

 AGRIVERDE “70” MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO DOC 2013

The history of Agriverde overlaps with the history of one of the oldest families of winemakers in Abruzzo: the Di Carlo Family. Proud winegrowers and tenaciously tied to the spirit of their land, Di Carlo’s were wine-producers since the early XIX century: in a letter preserved in the company, we can read Camillo Di Carlo announcing their first exportation. Since then, the Di Carlo family is always passing down its passion for wine from father to son, a human and professional legacy that still represents a precious witness to bequeath to future generations. In the second half of the 80s Giannicola Di Carlo, bio-agronomist, took the reigns of the wineries. He converted all production to organic method and Agriverde became one of the first organic certified wineries in Italy: I.C.E.A. (Institute for Environmental Ethics Certification), at the same time of promulgation of the first EU organic farming regulation (Reg. 2092/91), certified Agriverde in 1991.

Agriverde is today one of the leading wineries of Abruzzo, with a wide range of wines for all price categories and market segments (Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Rosé, Chardonnay, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Passerina and Pecorino, traditional wines and organic wines certified by I.C.E.A.).

Famous for its PLATEO, considered one of the top 50 wines in the world, the company is equipped with a state of the art facility and it is the first winery in Europe entirely built according to the principles of bio-architecture.  Agriverde was chosen by team Ferrari as the perfect partner in excellence to toast to their success during the Formula 1 Grand Prix and to take part of the presentation for the new Green Ferrari, the 599 Hybrid KERS.

The production is about 900,000 bottles a year, which is why Agriverde is neither "a wine industry" or a small producer without the guarantees of a reliable and professional company. The wines are in fact exported all over the world and have received prestigious international prizes for the high quality of the products.  Alongside the winery is a splendid Relais which is certainly a unique setting where you can enjoy the finest Abruzzo cuisine giving life to a perfect union between food and wine.

WHY WE PROPOSED “70” AS FOUNDERS’ CHOICE SELECTION

“The miracle of wine is to make men 

what they should never stop to be: friends of men”

Ernst Engel

Our Founders’ Choice selection, “70” Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC, comes from specially selected vineyards of our estates in order to produce one of the best Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Ortona: in December 1943 our city was the scene of one of the bloodiest and destructive battles of world War II, so much as to earn the title of “Stalingrad of Italy”. But Canadian troops fought for days and with a high sacrifice of men in order to liberate the city from Nazi occupation.

Since then our city is strictly twinned with Canada and we wanted to dedicate this wine to this old and strong friendship. The label of “70” has been designed by Mario Scarano, an Italian painter, and is titled “A toast to Peace”, so that it is a unique, limited label. For all the reasons above, we are really delighted that “70” has been selected for this program by the Opimian Society.

“70” is made by Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 100%, manually picked, and makes a long soaking on the skins in stainless steel tanks; then matures 3 months in steel, 12 months in French oaks barrels and refines 4 months in bottle. Its colour is ruby red; its aroma is intense of wild berries in harmony with slightly spicy notes of cocoa. The taste is full, round and persistent. It is the excellent companion for “selvaggina” and grilled meats, roast and game. But also with cured meats and matured cheese.