May 2003
Best values wines - Spectator
The Wine Spectator named 100 best Italian wine values and Bedford International had seven of these wines. From FALCHINI the Spectator cited the red single vineyard "Colombaia" Chianti Colli Senesi and the white single vineyard "Vigna Solatio" Vernaccia di San Gimignano. From UMANI RONCHI the Spectator cited the single vineyard white "Casal di Serra" Verdicchio Classico Superiore and the single vineyard white "Villa Bianchi" Verdicchio Classico Superiore and among the reds the "Medoro" Sangiovese, the "Serrano" Rosso Conero, and the Montepulciano D'Abruzzo.
Mario Belardino, President of Bedford International, the exclusive importer of Falchini and Umani Ronchi said "these ratings are consistent with many other international ratings that have praised these two top level estates about their ability to produce terrific wines at reasonable prices. We are proud and excited to represent these great values in our fine wine portfolio from Italy."
Falchini, one of the pioneers of the Vernaccia DOCG appellation has produced other world class wines such as "Campora" Cabernet, "Paretaio" Sangiovese, "Ab Vinea Doni" Vernaccia (barriques aged), the Vin Santo "Caratello," and his gold medal Brut Spumante.
Umani Ronchi, the inspiration for the creation of the Superiore category of Verdicchio, has been producing not only great value wines but wines of world class character such as "Pelago", "Cumaro" Rosso Conero, "San Lorenzo" Rosso Conero, "Jorio" Montepulciano D'Abruzzo, and "Plenio" Verdicchio Classico Riserva.
Riccardo Falchini
Chianti Colli Sensei Titolato
Colombaia
2000 - 85 / $10
This fruity, single-vineyard Chianti is a blend of 85 percent Sangiovese and 15 percent Colorino. It comes from the estate of Riccardo Falchini, which is located in the San Gimignano area, southwest of Florence. After fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine is aged in oak for three to four months. 4,000 cases made; 3,000 cases imported.
Riccardo Falchini
Vernaccia di San Gimignano
Vigna a Solatio
2001 - 84 / $9
The town of San Gimignano in Tuscany is the historical home of the white grape Vernaccia. In fact, Vernaccia di San Gimignano was one of the first Tuscan wines to be granted the DOCG appellation. This medium-bodied bottling, from a single vineyard on the Falchini estate, is made in stainless steel. 7,000 cases made; 4,500 cases imported.
Umani Ronchi
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo
2001 - 81 / $7
Umani Ronchi is based in the Marche region, but bought into Abruzzi in 1998 with the purchase of a 75-acre estate called Roseto degli Abruzzi. The new estate provides 30 percent of the montepulciano grapes for this light, fruity red; the remainder is bought from growers in the area. It's made in stainless steel tanks, in rented winery facilities near Pescara. 500,000 cases made; 6,000 cases imported.
Umani Ronchi
Umani Ronchi
Rosso Conero Serrano
2001 - 83 / $9
This soft, fruity red is a blend of 95 percent Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and 5 percent Sangiovese. It comes from Umani Ronchi's 70 acres of vineyards in the areas around Ancona, on the Marche coastline, and is made without the use of oak. 18,000 cases made; 2,500 cases imported.
Umani Ronchi
Sangiovese Marche Medoro
2001 - 84 / $10
Producers in Marche generally blend Sangiovese with Montepulciano, the local variety, but Umani Ronchi believes Sangiovese deserves a solo spot as well. Seventy percent of the grapes are estate-grown, the rest bought from local growers. Aged for 11 months in French and Slovenian casks, the wine is light and fresh, with a good core of fruit. 19,000 cases made; 2,000 cases imported.
Umani Ronchi
Verdicchio dei Castelli di
Jesi Classico Superiore
Casal di Serra
2001 - 85 / $11
This attractive Verdicchio, with its almond, mineral and lemon zest character, comes from the 37-acre Casal di Serra vineyard on the Umani Ronchi estate. Umani Ronchi harvests the grapes slightly late, fermenting 4 percent in oak barrels for about five months, and then blending that with the rest in stainless tanks. 10,000 cases made; 2,500 cases imported.
Umani Ronchi
Verdicchio dei Castelli di
Jesi Classico Superiore
Villa Bianchi
2001 - 85 / $10
Umani Ronchi, managed by Massimo Bernetti, owns or rents a total of 470 acres of vineyards in the regions of Marche and Abruzzo and produces a large range of mainly traditional, local wines. This 100 percent Verdicchio, named after the central villa of the original property, offers lovely aromas and flavors of apple tart and honey. 15,000 cases made; 2,000 cases imported.
