Friarwood adds new Italian producers

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 19 July, 2017

 Fine wine merchant Friarwood is bolstering its portfolio of Italian wines with two new additions.

The family run estate, Fanti, which is situated in Montalcino lends three wines to the Friarwood portfolio: Vin Santo Sant’Antimo DOC, Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG ‘Vigna Macchiarelle’ and Brunello Di Montalcino DOCG ‘Vallocchio’.

Made solely with the Sangiovese grape, Fanti’s Brunellos are grown from a single vineyard, the Brunello ‘Vigna Macchiarelle’, and carry an RRP of £82.50.

The ‘Vallocchio’ is made from grapes grown in the plots located in the heart of the estate, and retail for £48, while the Trebbiano Toscano and Malvasia Toscana are blended to create the Vin Santo Sant’Antimo DOC (PPR £35.)

Capanna is the second new producer to join Friarwood.

The producer is based in the Montosoli area to the north of Montalcino and was founded by Giuseppe Cencioni in 1957 making it one of the first farms of the contemporary period of Brunello.

Six wines from Capanna have been added to the portfolio including the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Sant’Antimo Rosso DOC, SanGioBi and Moscadello di Montalcino DOC Late Harvest.

The range retails for between £15 and £43.

Of note is the SanGioBi which is produced using 100% Sangiovese - a grape typically used to produce red wine.

This is a notable year for the London-based merchant which is celebrating 50 years in the industry.

Following the acquisition almost three years ago by Ben Carfagnini, Friarwood has been expanding from its Bordeaux and Burgundy roots to showcase a range of New World wines including Canada, Bulgaria and South Africa.

At the Parsons Green store, its temperature and humidity-controlled cellars house up to 20,000 bottles (including 1947 Château Haut-Brion), from its support a wide range of high-end wholesale accounts.

Last year, Friarwood continued with efforts to modernised its offering with the introduction of its e-commerce platform as well as partnering with online delivery service Deliveroo.