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Winery
Aziende Agricole Joaquin
Vintage: 2011
The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines.
In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
Varietal: Fiano
The Fiano grapes which are native to Campania have been grown and cultivated for white wine production for a remarkable length of time. Indeed, Fiano grapes are one of the true classical grapes of Italy, being a favorite of both the Romans and the ancient Greeks, who both prized the varietal for its strong and spicy flavors, resplendent with notes of dark honey and nuts. Fiano grapes also have a beautiful and delicate floral aroma, making them a particularly complex and fascinating grape varietal, favored by those looking for a white wine with real character and unique features. For the past couple of decades, wineries in the New World have begun experimenting with Fiano grapes, with considerable success. As such, more and more people are beginning to rediscover this ancient varietal, and the stunning flavors it carries.
Region: Campania
Campania in Italy is one of the world's most fascinating and beautiful wine regions, located in the west of Italy, in the 'shin' of Italy's boot shaped peninsula. What makes Campania so special is the fact that wines of quality and distinction have been produced in this region for an astonishing length of time, indeed, archaeologists believe that Campania is a truly ancient wine region, with evidence of vineyard cultivation dating back to over three thousand years ago. Today, there are wineries located all over the varied region, making the most of the different soil types and climatic conditions Campania enjoys. The region is also blessed with an astonishing amount of different native grape varietals, and scientists have identified as many as a hundred different species, many of which are used to produce the region's characterful and unique wines.
Country: Italy
Italy is recognised as being one of the finest wine producing countries in the world, and it isn't difficult to see why. With a vast amount of land across the country used primarily for vineyard cultivation and wine production, each region of Italy manages to produce a wide range of excellent quality wines, each representative of the region it is produced in. Any lover of Italian wines will be able to tell you of the variety the country produces, from the deliciously astringent and alpine-fresh wines of the northern borders, to the deliciously jammy and fruit-forward wines of the south and the Italian islands. Regions such as Barolo are frequently compared with Bordeaux and Burgundy in France, as their oak aged red wines have all the complexity and earthy, spicy excellence of some of the finest wines in the world, and the sparkling wines of Asti and elsewhere in Italy can easily challenge and often exceed the high standards put forward by Champagne. Thanks to excellent terrain and climatic conditions, Italy has long since proven itself a major player in the world of wines, and long may this dedication to quality and excellence continue.