*Disclaimer: I received this wine as a sample from Colangelo & Partners Public Relations
I received the 2007 Celebrate Life Merlot from the Fantinel Family Wine Company in Friuli, Italy and decided it would be a great addition to my series on wineries doing charitable works with profits from their wine. This particular bottle retails for $15, had a real cork closure, and clocked in at 13% alcohol by volume.
$1 from every bottle is donated to help fight world hunger. Specifically, the proceeds go to the Initiatives of the Intergovernmental Institution for the Use of Micro-Algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition. The bottle tells me that Spirulina is a sustainable protein rich food that is one of the most effective tools in fighting world hunger. I had to look this one up, as I can’t say I’ve ever heard of it. Wikipedia lets me know that it’s an algae that is comprised of up to 77% protein and has been used as a food source since the time of the Aztecs. Apparently, the organization this wine supports formed after the UN endorsed Spirulina as a food source in 1974. Who knew?
On the nose I found a little funk, berries, plums, eucalyptus, mint, cedar, smoke, definitely a little barnyard, and some cocoa powder. The fruit blew off quickly and showed the nose as all smoke and eucalyptus. In the mouth I got some plums, spice, mint, oddly enough I taste popcorn, raspberry, and red fruit.
Overall, the mouth showed as a bit fruitier than the nose, but this is totally a different style of Merlot than what I am used to. I believe this may be my first Merlot from Italy! The has nice acidity, tart fruit, and was quite restrained compared to other Merlots I’ve had. Smooth, and drinking fine now, this would be great to tote along to all those holiday parties, especially since some of the profits go to charity!
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