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A.V. Imports, Inc.
Since
its incorporation in 1986, A.V. Imports, Inc., led by founding partners Ron
Wollman, CEO, and Albert Pecora, President, has grown into a nationally
recognized and respected importer of fine wines and premium spirits from around
the world. In the beginning, A.V. Imports, Inc. (the 'A' and the n'V' standing
for 'acqua' and 'vino', respectively) called a small office in Washington, D.C.
home. A.V. Imports, Inc. today counts 30 office staff and 60 field sales representatives
amongst its staff. In addition, the corporation now imports wines and spirits
from 10 countries around the world, including Australia, Chile, France,
Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, and Spain. A.V. Imports,
Inc. products can be found throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico,
Aruba, and the Bahamas.
Located in S. Stefan Belbo, in the heart of Piemonte, the Abbazia estate covers 20 hectares and produces between 2,400 and 2,500 quintals a year. The name Abbazia comes from the fact that the winery was originally a Benedictine monk monastery built in the 12th century. Today, Abbazia is run by Walter Santero who owns and operates three large agricultural operations, which tie in to their winemaking business. Abbazia's line of Santini products is outstanding. Their claim to fame is their Asti, but their Marsalas have been proven to be an unparalleled asset to their array of products.Santini Asti
Region: Piedmont, Italy. Grapes: 100% Moscato Bianco D.O.C.G. Soil: Limestone, clay, and chalk Vinification: Cold and Control System - Fermentation with thermostatic control in stainless steel tanks Average age of vines: 12 - 18 months Aging process: One month, aged in stainless steel tanks Alcohol content: 7.5% Oneologist: Santero Pierlugi, 25 years Lightly sweet with a refreshing sparkle. Very Fruity.
Trentino is the southern part of the central alpine region. The wine-producing area is centered in the Adige valley. The terrain is mountainous, especially in the north, where the Alps are crossed by the Brenner Pass, and in the east, where the lower ranges of the Dolomite Alps add to the scenic beauty of the region. Only 15% of this region is cultivable and almost all of it is used to produce wine grapes. The Alpine climate favors grapes for wonderful white wines although the emphasis has been on reds, which account for nearly two-thirds of the region's production. This region can boastfully claim the wine Marzemino, which has been praised by the likes of Mozart. Trentino, which also boasts Italy's largest production of Chardonnay, are gradually enhancing the status of a region whose record with D.O.C. doesn't fully express its quality potential. Established in the early 1700's in the heart of the Valpolicella area, this estate produces only the finest premium wines, keeping traditional skills in harmony with modern vinification techniques. For more information visit: http://www.gruppopizzolo.it
Ca Montini Sauvignon, 2003 Ca' Montini L'Aristocratico Sauvignon Blanc. The Sauvignon grapes are selected from four different vineyards in Trentino. Each vineyard is considered of the highest quality thanks in large part to the cool climate, long hours of sunshine, and great soil composition. Low yields result in a wine of great richness and intensity, which simply explodes with flavors in the mouth. The wine is yellow in color with greenish highlights. It is typical of this vine that is characterized with a delicate bouquet with fruity notes that remind one of apples. On the palate, it has great structure bringing out the typical acidic and lively notes of the Sauvignon.
Region: Southern Trentino, Italy Grapes: 100% Hand-Selected Sauvignon Soil: Limestone, sand, and clay Vine Training: Pergola Trentina with 3,900 vines per hectare Vinification: Controlled temperature fermentation at 18 degrees Average age of vines: 10 - 15 years Manager: Giorgio Pizzolo Oneologist: Danilo Chini The wine opens with hints of white flower and apricots, leading into highly complex, silky tropical fruit.
Ca Montini Pinot Grigio, 2003Ca' Montini L'Aristocratico Pinot Grigio. Only the top Pinot Grigio grapes are selected from vineyards situated in the foothills of the Alps for L'Aristocratico Pinot Grigio. This clash of winds in the south of Trentino eliminates humidity and protects the grapes, which allows them to mature in a dry climate. At harvest, the finest Pinot Grigio grapes are hand-selected and carried in crates for crushing. The wine is fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks to retain its fresh fruit flavor.
Region: Trentino, Italy 100% Pinot Grigio Soil: Limestone and Clay Vinification: 12 Days in stainless steel tanks Average age of vines: 10 - 15 years Aging process: None Manager: Giorgio Pizzolo Oneologist: Giovanni Menini The wine unfolds into a seductive, fruit driven wine, with aromas of golden delicious apple, pineapple, and mountain honey. The great structure, opulent texture and crisp acids leave you with a flavorful finish blessed with extraordinary length.
Corvo. Created by the founder of the Duca di Salaparuta winery - Villafranca prince and the Duke of Salaparuta, Giuseppe Alliata - in 1824, Corvo has long been considered the standard bearer of Sicilian wine. Rising to prominence in restaurants the world over, no name has been more familiar to lovers of Italian tradition than Corvo. Now under the ownership of Illva Saronno, Corvo continues to maintain its vaunted history and long-standing tradition as a high-quality producer of wines from Sicily, with Corvo Bianco and Corvo Rosso, wines made from indigenous Sicilian grapes.
Corvo Bianco Temperatures in the Mediterranean island of Sicily tend to run towards hot and arid, which has consistently resulted in ideal conditions for grape cultivation... a process Corvo has refined in the production of Corvo Rosso and Bianco. Corvo Bianco is made from Inzolia, Cataratto and Grecanico grapes harvested from Sicily's finest vineyards is a clear, straw yellow wine with brilliant greenish effects throughout. Behind a subtle and delicately fruity bouquet is a fresh and lively taste. Corvo Bianco is known for its harmonic, fruit taste, and for being consistent, silky, and possessing a wealth of character.
Region: Sicily, Italy. Inzolia, Cataratto, and Grecanico Soil: Mixed type Vine Training: Contreespalier style Vinification: Gentle pressing, with fermentation occurring at 18ř-22ř C Alcohol content: 12% Recommended with soups, vegetables, and fish dishes in general. Corvo Bianco is also excellent with starters.
Piccini. The family-owned Piccini winery was established in 1882 by Angiolo Piccini. In 1920, his son Mario continued its development by extending the company's business across the domestic market in Italy. Piccini entered a second phase of rapid growth in the early 1960s, under the leadership of third-generation Pierangiolo Piccini. In 1983, Mario Piccini joined his father and helped make the U.S. market a priority, in a successful effort to strengthen the Piccini name. Through the use of personal visits to American markets, on top of the production of high-quality wines, the Piccini winery has solidified the family stronghold on the Tuscan wine segment in the United States. The Piccini winery is located in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone and possesses strong Tuscan traditions. To this day, Piccini remains the largest producer of D.O.C.G. Chianti in Italy. Included in the Chianti line from Piccini is a regular Chianti D.O.C.G., as well as a tremendous Chianti D.O.C.G. Riserva. Piccini Chianti DOCG, 2003Over the last few years, Piccini has made production choices leading to a clear increase in quality in its Chianti. The fruit of this decision is the lively ruby red color of the wine, tending to turn garnet with ageing, its intensely vinous aroma and its dry, tasty and harmonious flavor. Piccini's Chianti is a perfect accompaniment for soups and meat dishes of all kinds, while the Reserve is more suited to roasted and braised meats, game and mature cheeses. One of the particular characteristics of Chianti Piccini is the fact that it is a suitable accompaniment for a wide range of foods.
Region: Tuscany, Italy. Grapes: 100% Sangiovese Soil: Calcareous clay Fermentation Temperature: 25 - 28ř C Average age of vines: 20 - 25 years Aging process: 6 months Total acidity: 5.6 Residual sugar content: 1.8 Alcohol content: 12.5% PH: 3.3 Manager: Mario Piccini, Martina Piccini Wine Maker: Angelo Alescio Chianti D.OC.G. is a bright cherry red wine with fresh fruit aromas, and tastes of cherries and raspberries.
CaputoWines of the Campania region have experienced a rebirth in modern winemaking techniques. New attention to the archeological grape varieties, Aglianico, Greco, Falanghina, Fiano and many others, brought to the region millennia ago by the Romans and Greeks has spurred a revived interest in high-quality DOC and DOCG wines. The Caputo family has been at the forefront of this revolution by investing in new vineyards, and producing first class wines from every major winemaking zone in Campania. The Caputo estate, situated in Teverola and regarded as an important agricultural center between Naples and Caserta, is a land better known as Terra di Lavoro, or "land of work." A family-owned tradition since 1890, Cantine Caputo is currently managed by fourth generation Mario and Nicola Caputo, along with their father Corrado. The family continues to produce the highest quality wines with a remarkable synthesis between tradition and technology. With newly acquired expert advising from winemaker Lorenzo Landi, new talent on the wine scene, the Caputo family constantly seeks to improve the quality and notoriety of the Caputo brand while passionately interpreting the historical and geological resources of Campania winemaking.
Caputo Lacryma Christi Del Vesuvio Bianco, 2002 DOC. Lacryma Christi is one of the oldest wines hailing from Campania. According to legend, when Lucifer was cast from Paradise, he managed to take a strip of Paradise with him. As he fell, he dropped the strip of Paradise, and it landed in the Gulf of Naples. The Lord wept and his tears fell upon the land between Vesuvius and Sorrento, and thus life was given to the vines. Lacryma Christi is translated as "Christ's tears."
Region: Campania, Italy. Grapes: Falanghina and Caprettone Total acidity: 5.4 Alcohol content: 12.5% Yield: 100 q./li. per hectare Perfect for matching with seafoods, fish, and poultry. Chill before serving.
Caputo Greco di Tufo DOC, 2002. Cultivated in deep sandstone soil of volcanic origin, this straw-colored wine marries a fruit-filled melon, honey, and pear bouquet with a unique minerality typical of wines from Campania. The taste is ample and elegant.
Region: Campania, Italy. Grapes: 100% Greco di Tufo Soil: Loose, Volcanic with a high calcareous content Vinification: After a light crushing fermentation is conducted in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Aging process: 2 - 3 Months in Bottle Total acidity: 6.5 Alcohol content: 13.0% Yield: 100 q./li. per hectare The Greco vine, first planted in Italy by the Greeks over two millennia ago, produces this balanced white with aromas of melon, pear and honey.
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