Boutinot Disturbs The Passito With Rebellious Look For Fazzoletto

Boutinot has unveiled a statuesque look for its new Fazzoletto Barbera Rosso – a partial passito style from northern Italy created to meet growing Consumer demand for sweeter style red wines.

Fazoletto Rosso translates as ‘red neckerchief’ – originally a local term for members of the partisans of the Garibaldi Brigade formed during WWII to fight for the liberation of Italy, and today known throughout the country as a symbol of freedom and rebellion.

Produced by Piemonte co-operative and Barbera specialist Araldica, grapes for the Fazzoletto Rosso were grown in the Monferrato hills where the south-west facing vineyards have clay and limestone soils, and the vines are planted at altitudes between 250 and 400 metres.

“Our winemaker Carlo Manero certainly wasn’t afraid to upset the ‘old order’ when he insisted on leaving a portion of the beautifully ripe Barbera grapes on the vine for nearly a month after the main harvest to perfectly sun dry, and then add this juice to the final blend,” explains Araldica’s Commercial Director John Leech.  “The result is a sweeter, richer and softer style of wine than many on the shops’ shelves, but one that Consumers are often looking for.  We’ve made this Barbera Passito in a spirit of rebellion against old-fashioned wine conventions – it’s a wine that’s designed to disrupt.”

Araldica worked with drinks design agency Denomination for the wine’s labels, which feature black and white images of famous Italian sculptures – Michelangelo’s David, Augustus Caesar from the Prima Porte and the Statue of Abundance at Trevi Fountain – each modelling a red neckerchief.  A mini ‘fazzoletto’ will also be tied around the neck of each bottle on shelf.

Anna Brolin, Managing Director at Denomination comments, “We were tasked with designing a label that completely captures the contemporary and rebellious feel of a new brand that flies in the face of the traditional wine category, and yet is an authentic nod to Italian heritage.”

Araldica’s Fazzoletto Rosso 2015 is available to the UK Off-Trade via Boutinot, with an expected retail of £12.

Established in 1980, Boutinot is today one of the UK’s leading, and longest standing, independent importers and producers of wines for the full spectrum of the Off and On-Trade.  Its comprehensive ‘Made by Boutinot’ portfolio sits alongside and complements the 100-plus agencies that the company is proud to represent.

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Date of issue: 20 April 2017

Further information:                              Ali Mann                                                 emma wellings pr

020 8996 5168                                        email     alison@ew-pr.co.uk               www.ew-pr.co.uk