Although I love to share the lesser known grapes and wine regions throughout Italy, I also can’t pass up sharing wines I come across in tastings with a fantastic QPR, the quality relative to the wine bottle’s price. This week that wine is the 2019 Falesco Tenuta Vitiano Rosso under Famiglia Cotarella.
The winery – Falesco
Falesco began 3 generations ago in the 60’s with Antonio and Domenico Cotarella whom wanted to start a winery and make their own wine. In 1979 the Falesco brand was born under brothers Renzo and Riccardo Cotarella. You may have heard me speak about Riccardo multiple times here at Vino Travels as he is a well-respected winemaker and consultant for over 80 wineries all throughout Italy. The initial beginnings under Renzo and Riccardo Cotarella were to recover ancient vineyards and varieties through a multitude of experiments and research over the years.
In 2016 the Famiglia Cotarella umbrella was established over the family’s 4 brands as Renzo and Riccardo’s daughters, Dominica, Marta and Enrica took over the leadership of the business. The daughters continue to remember the origins of the winery while also allowing the wines produced today to show “elegance and modernity”.
The vineyards within the Cotarella family span between both the Umbria and Lazio regions from Lake Bolsena in Lazio up to the hills of Orvieto in Umbria occupying over 740 acres.
The Wine
The 2019 Falesco Tenuta Vitiano Rosso Umbria IGP is one of the traditional wines under the Falesco line of wines. The vineyards are located in the comune of Montecchio in Umbria.
This wine is made up of equal parts Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and is aged 3 months in neutral oak barrels. This wine was medium-bodied with firm tannin on the palate, but balanced with fresh acidity. Ripe cherries with a hint of tobacco. At only $10 a bottle this wine is a no brainer. It also seemed to be the hit with the surrounding tasters.
