January, 2022
Volio, an importer of fine wine from Italy, Spain, and France, has an exciting opportunity for an entry level Sales Analytics and Marketing Intern to join our team.
Responsibilities:
- “Demand side” focused role – sales and marketing
- CRM & Marketing/Sales Automation
- Working on sales cycle automation in CRM (identifying different sales cycle opportunities that can be automated, creating systems)
- Integrating marketing content with the sales automation
- Data & Sales Analysis
- Brand profitability
- Incentive programs – tracking ROI of programs and executing on accuracy of the programs
- Gathering best practices and working to distribute best practices to the sales team
- Operational efficiency analysis – warehouse and storage, pricing
- Managing national and regional chain account activation
Skills and abilities:
- 1-4 years of marketing, data analytics, sales automation, sales analysis (can be a combination of education and/or experience).
- Microsoft Office experience required, high proficiency in Excel.
- Beneficial but not required: Google Drive, Asana, wine experience
- Team-oriented individual who is comfortable working on a small team and wearing multiple hats.
Benefits & Details:
- The role is in Denver, Colorado. We are not currently going into the office on a full-time basis (currently partially remote), but the role will be out of our office majority of the time.
- 6 month internship, 40 hours per week
- 7 days PTO over 6 months
- Hourly Wage range: $16-21 per hour. Compensation based on experience.
- Healthcare, Dental, Vision offered*
- *Benefits only if working 35+hrs per week
- Small team and great opportunity for growth.
About Volio:
Volio imports wines that we love. Because we love them, we want to bring them to the US and share the journey behind each bottle of wine. In the office, we are a fun (at least we think so!) small entrepreneurial team, and we believe in providing outstanding customer service to our suppliers and customers. The best candidate for this role will be hands-on and excited to wear the many hats that come with working for a small company.
January, 2022
Volio, an importer of fine wine from Italy, Spain, and France, has an exciting opportunity for a Marketing Intern to join our team.
Responsibilities:
- Provide support to the marketing & sales teams by updating/creating marketing materials, presentations, booklets, sales documents, and website content
- Organizing, purchasing, and tracking branded merchandise
- Developing and proposing creative solutions for our marketing materials
- Creative development and quality control for our print materials that go into retail stores
- Creating proposals for Volio branded materials that will be produced and used as sales support
- Coordinating the shipping of Volio materials, care packages, and gifts to our customers
- Event planning – coordinating wine samples, merchandise shipments, & forms/documents for events
- Sales support – assisting sales team with marketing materials, including but not limited to print production management, catalogue of available merchandise, and retail point of sale materials
Skills and abilities:
- 1-4 years of marketing, event planning, or merchandising experience (can be a combination of education and/or experience).
- Microsoft Office experience required.
- Beneficial but not required: Google Drive, FedEx shipping portal, Asana, Adobe Creative Cloud, wine experience.
- Team-oriented individual who is comfortable working on a small team and wearing multiple hats.
Benefits & Details:
- The role is in Denver, Colorado. We are not currently going into the office on a full-time basis (currently partially remote), but the role will be out of our office majority of the time.
- 6 month internship, 40 hours per week
- 7 days PTO over 6 months
- Hourly Wage range: $16-21 per hour. Compensation based on experience.
- Healthcare, Dental, Vision offered*
- *Benefits only if working 35+hrs per week
- Small team and great opportunity for growth.
About Volio:
Volio imports wines that we love. Because we love them, we want to bring them to the US and share the journey behind each bottle of wine. In the office, we are a fun (at least we think so!) small entrepreneurial team, and we believe in providing outstanding customer service to our suppliers and customers. The best candidate for this role will be hands-on and excited to wear the many hats that come with working for a small company.
Confused on the major differences between all of those sparkling wines out there? From Prosecco to Champagne, things can get a little convoluted for the average drinker. From production methods, sparkling wine types and sweetness levels, we’re here to help you get all that tricky terminology down and help you become a sparkling wine expert just in time for the holidays, and give you some great alternatives to that pricey bottle of champagne.
Production Methods:
There are two main ways to produce sparkling wine: The Traditional Method or the Tank Method. The main difference between these two methods is that the Traditional Method has second fermentation in the bottle, whereas the Tank Method has second fermentation in the tank, which allows a more affordable way of producing sparkling wine.
#1: Traditional Method
A.k.a. Classic Method, methode classique, Champagne Method, metodo tradizionale
Image courtesy of Wine Folly
This method is, without a doubt, the most well regarded method for producing sparkling wine in terms of quality, but it is also the most expensive in terms of production. The classic method’s most crucial feature is that the change from still to sparkling wine takes place entirely inside the bottle, due to a second fermentation.
The process unfolds like this:
First Fermentation: This takes place in large temperature controlled steel vats, but some producers still use oak barrels for some or all of their wine.
Malolactic fermentation: Process where tart malic acid converts into softer lactic acid to soften the acidity and create notes of butter and brioche. This is either triggered or blocked by the producer, depending on the house style and flavor profile they want to achieve. To trigger this, they can either inoculate the bacteria or raise the temperature of the tank. To block it, they can filter, add S02(Sulfur Dioxide) or introduce malolactic-inhibiting enzymes.
Blending: Wine from different vintages, grapes, and vineyard sites is blended to achieve house style despite vintage variations, improve balance, and enhance complexity.
Second Fermentation: The wine is bottled and second alcoholic fermentation is triggered by addition of liqueur de tirage to the base wine. This is a mixture of wine, sugar, yeast, yeast nutrients and a clarifying agent. The bottle is closed with a crown cap that includes a plastic insert, like a small cup. The newly introduced yeast feeds on the sugar and nutrients until it consumes them. The bi-product is CO2 (BUBBLES!), and alcohol. Once the yeast runs out of nutrients it dies and deposits at the bottom of the bottle. Here it starts to self decompose in a process called autolysis. Dead yeast cells are called lees, autolysis gives wine very specific flavors called autolytic characters that producers intentionally seek: biscuit, bread dough, brioche, toast, honey, yogurt.
Aging: Bottles are stored horizontally, and left to age for a set amount of time depending on the type of sparkling wine, Champagne requiring 15 months minimum and Cava requires 6 months minimum.
Riddling: Setting the bottle upside down and the dead yeast cells collect in the neck of the bottle.
Disgorgement: Once riddling is complete, the neck of the bottle is submerged in a very cold solution so that the lees collected in the cap freeze. The bottles are then inverted into a normal upright position while the frozen sediment stays in place, keeping the wine clear. The crown cap is removed and the pressure created in the bottle by the CO2 ejects the lees sediment and part of the wine. Because some wine is lost during this process, the producer adds liqueur d’expedition: a mixture of wine and sugar. The amount of sugar used is called dosage and will determine the final style and sweetness level of the wine. Want to see it in action? Check out this fun video of manual disgorgement here!
#2: Tank Method
A.k.a. Charmat Method, Martinotti Method, Metodo Italiano
The tank method was developed during the early twentieth century’s industrial revolutions and is the primary method for producing Prosecco and Lambrusco wines. The elimination of the individual bottle as the vessel used to transform a still wine into a sparkling wine is the main difference between the tank method and the traditional method. Instead, base wines and the sugar and yeast combination (Tirage) are combined in a huge tank. The CO2 generated after the second fermentation enables the tank to pressurize, allowing the wines to be filtered, dosed (with Expedition liqueur), and bottled without aging.
Image courtesy of Wine Folly
Sweetness Level:
Producers can control the sweetness level of a wine by how sweet the Expedition Liquor is that they add to the fermented sparkling wine. Nature Brut represents the bone dry sparkling wine, all the way to Demi Sec, which begins to approach dessert wine territory.
Common Types of Sparkling Wines:
Prosecco
Created using the tank method, Prosecco is an Italian sparkling wine that is produced in the Veneto region. Prosecco is created using the Glera grape varietal and produces wine that varies from Extra Dry to Brut, but many attribute a higher level of sweetness to this type of wine due to its inherent flavors of green apple, honeydew melon, pear, and honeysuckle.
This sparkling wine can be a great bang for your buck, and the price range for Prosecco can offer great flexibility! $12-$20 is the average range you’ll see for Prosecco.
Col Solivo Prosecco Extra Dry
Franciacorta
The lesser known Italian sparkling wine, Franciacorta, is produced in the small wine producing region of Lombardy in the traditional method (Or in Italian, “metodo classico”). While not as popular as Prosecco, Franciacorta is widely regarded as Italy’s finest sparkling wine.
Created in the same fashion as France’s Champagne, Franciacorta differs from Champagne in two major ways: history and scale. Franciacorta’s history dates back only around 50 years, while Champagne has been around closer to 350 years. Franciacorta’s annual production is around 27,000 hectoliters; Champagne’s is closer to 2,700,00 hectoliter (100 times as much). Small production volumes coupled with the rigorous standards of a DOCG classification justify the relatively high price tag for this sparkling wine.
In 1961, the Berlucchi winery made the first sparkling wine to bear the name Franciacorta. Other producers swiftly followed suit, and the style quickly evolved. The Franciacorta DOC was established in 1967 to encompass both sparkling and non-sparkling wines produced in the region, with the sparkling wines earning DOCG status in 1995.
Created from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this fruity sparkling wine pairs well with soft ripened cheeses (like brie), dried fruits (like apricot and cherry), and roasted salted nuts.
Ranging around $35-$65, Franciacorta is a great option to get premium bubbles for a more approachable price than Champagne (and you can scale up to around $100 if you’re looking for a vintaged Franciacorta). Options all around!
Berlucchi ’61 Extra Brut
Cava
Cava is the most famous sparkling wine originating from Spain. To be classified as a Cava, the wine needs to be produced in one of six specific appellations, and follow the fermentation process of the traditional method, with the secondary fermentation occurs within the bottle. These wines are typically made with the Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Parellada grapes, and are usually on the lower end of the spectrum in regards to sweetness.
If you’re looking for sparkling wine that doesn’t break the bank, Cava is an excellent choice, typically ranging from $10 to $20 per bottle.
Finca Torremilanos Cava Brut Nature
Champagne
The most famous sparkling wine, Champagne’s history dates back 100’s of years. Originally, bubbles in wine were seen as a defect, when wine was bottled prior to the fermentation process being completed. Legend has it that French monk Dom Perignon accidentally discovered this process after opening a bottle of wine that wasn’t fully fermented before bottling. He proclaimed to his fellow monks that he was “Drinking the stars!” and sought to make every glass of wine sparkling. While this has been historically disputed, it made for a great story to help spread this new type of wine across Europe.
It wasn’t until the process was standardized and mass marketed that this wine became a luxury produced from the region. A decent-quality bottle of it can cost you anywhere from $50 to $300, and vintage bottles often sell for thousands, making other sparkling wines a much cheaper alternative.
Dom Perignon Vintage Champagne
Lambrusco
Lambrusco is an Italian red wine that is slightly sparkling (frizzante) and has Etruscan and Roman origins. Lambrusco is also the name of the grape that is used to make the wine, and there are over 60 varieties of the grape known. However, it is usually made from just six: Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Marani, Lambrusco Montericco, Lambrusco Salamino, and Lambrusco Sorbara. Lambrusco is made in northern Italy, mostly in the Emilia-Romagna region. The grapes are farmed in four separate zones: Modena, Parma, Reggio-Emilia, and Mantua, the latter of which is in Lombardy.
The Tank Method (Charmat or Martinotti) technique, which is also used to make Prosecco, is most usually employed to make Lambrusco wines in a somewhat sparkling (frizzante) style. Lambrusco is another great alternative for those wishing to save money, with many options under $10!
Fratelli Ottoni Lambrusco Secco Allegro
Conclusion:
Champagne is not your only option when it comes to sparkling wine, now you can impress your friends by busting out one of these fine alternatives (without letting them know what a bargain you got for them) and woo them with your production knowledge and terminology.
It’s that time of year again! For our countdown to celebrations, we have crafted a very special Volio Wine Guide, gifting you the perfect pairings to help you survive the holidays. No matter what your celebrations look like, we’ve got your back!
ON THE 12TH DAY OF VINO…
When Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” plays on repeat.
Cantine Povero Belvive
WHY?
This wine is less about thinking and more about drinking. These bubbles combined with the Mariah Carey holiday classic are sure to put you on a dance train straight to tinsel town.
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ON THE 11TH DAY OF VINO…
When you’re ready to get your hot tub on.
Berlucchi ’61 Brut Rose
WHY?
Sit in bubbles and sip on bubbles. There is nothing more relaxing than a glass of Franciacorta in an outdoor jacuzzi! PRESS:
92 (WE), 90 (WA), 91 (WS), 92 (AG)
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ON THE 10TH DAY OF VINO…
When you’re navigating cringy political discussions with your uncle.
Stella di Campalto Brunello di Montalcino
WHY?
Rich and complex but absolutely true to old school Sangiovese in color and class, this woman-made wine will help you shine through those less-than-comfortable family debates.
PRESS:
2013: 95 (AG)
2012: 93 (AG)
2011: 94 (RP), 93 (AG)
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ON THE 9TH DAY OF VINO…
Getting in over your skis with your sporty cousin.
Tenuta Argentiera Villa Donoratico
WHY?
Punches above its weight for body, structure, and density. A full-bodied, powerful red from Bolgheri that many Super Tuscans aspire to be, this wine will well make up for what you lack in ski sports.
PRESS:
2019: 93 (JS), 90 (WS)
2018: 94 (JS)
2017: 92+ (RP), 92 (WS), 92 (JS)
2016: 95 (JS), 92 (RP)
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ON THE 8TH DAY OF VINO…
When you “lose” the card game with Grandma.
Arrogant Frog Pinot Noir
WHY?
This is what Pinot Noir tastes like without costing what Pinot Noir costs. With the light color typical of France, you can see through the glass as you drink the bottle, just like you see through your scheming Grandma.
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ON THE 7TH DAY OF VINO…
When you’ve eaten one too many holiday sweets.
Poggerino Chianti Classico
WHY?
Gone overboard at the sweets table and need to get back to your roots? Go organic with a beautiful benchmark Sangiovese that is sure to level your head with its sweet and persistent tannins.
PRESS:
2019: 92 (AG), 90 (WS)
2018: 90 (WS)
2017: 93 (AG), 90 (DE)
2016: 92 (AG), 90 (WS)
2015: 92 (WS), 90 (RP)
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ON THE 6TH DAY OF VINO…
When everyone asks if you’re single.
Sun Goddess Pinot Grigio Ramato
WHY?
Pale pink, elegant, and complex, this Mary J. Blige queen is proof that you don’t need a side boo to be successful and happy; and yes, they CAN ask you about your career!
PRESS:
2020: 90 (JS)
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ON THE 5TH DAY OF VINO…
When they put you at the kids table.
Val delle Rose Morellino di Scansano
WHY?
Drinking from the rolling hills around the medieval village of Scansano in southern Tuscany will prove that yes, you actually are above drinking age…did you get that Mom?
PRESS:
2019: 91 (JS)
2018: 90 (JS)
2017: 90 (JS)
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ON THE 4TH DAY OF VINO…
When you want to distract from your ugly sweater.
Cantine Povero Priore Barolo
WHY?
With lots of structure, this “bottled experience” is the perfect distraction for when it turns out it actually wasn’t that type of party.
PRESS:
2016: 92 (DE), 90 (RP)
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ON THE 3RD DAY OF VINO…
When you want to get your hygge on.
Paul Mas Reserve Languedoc Rouge
WHY?
Smooth and well-balanced from the nose through to the finish, this wine is perfect for that fireside-fuzzy sock-candlelight-good book-cozy vibe.
PRESS:
2019: 90 (DE)
2018: 91 (JS)
2017: 90 (JS)
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ON THE 2ND DAY OF VINO…
When you spent too much money on gifts.
Tavernello Sangiovese Romagna
WHY:
Not only is this wine well-balanced with good body, but it won’t break the bank! The #1 wine brand in Italy, it is absolutely the best quality for price you can find.
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ON THE 1ST DAY OF VINO…
When everybody leaves and you finally have the house back to yourself.
Fantinel Prosecco Extra Dry
WHY?
That’s a wrap! This consistently popular, classic sparkling wine is perfect for celebrating an end to the holiday madness.
Tech Sheet Download
There you have it, a surefire path to wine and holiday bliss.
Happy Holidays!
With Love,
Volio Imports
November, 2021
Volio, an importer of fine wine from Italy, Spain, and France, has an exciting opportunity to join our team.
This individual will primarily be responsible for receiving and accurately processing orders from external customers, and managing appropriate pick up or delivery with Customers and Distributor partners. You will be the main point of contact with distributor’s day-to-day orders, support sales representative and liaison with our warehouses. This role requires maintaining and building great relationships.
Responsibilities:
- Act as the customer co-ordinator for all orders, provide professional customer service and identify order improvement opportunities
- Operate within NAV and other proprietary systems to fulfill and analyze orders
- Run regular reports to identify trends or issues with orders and resolve within a timely manner
- Develop a great understanding of our customer needs to improve minimum orders
- Liaison with transport, warehouse, sales and distributors to resolve any disputes in a timely manner and diplomatic manner
- Advise freight forwarder and warehouse of any special shipping requirements
- Make sure to stay up to date with all relevant promotional activity and work with customers to ensure new launches and promotions are managed
- Work closely with sales and operations colleagues to ensure order volumes are in line with forecasts
- Communicate daily with distributors regarding pick up, issues and re-book backfill orders immediately upon arrival
- Deliver outstanding customer service to all internal and external parties
- Prompt communication included but not limited to Google Workspace (Gmail, Google Hangouts, Meet)
Skills and abilities:
- 2-5 years of business, logistics/transportation supply chain (can be a combination of education and/or experience), experience wine imports/distribution a plus
- Excellent attention to detail with data entry and order processing experience
- Good knowledge of order-take systems NAV or have the ability to learn and adapt to systems and processes
- Excellent communication skills
- Systematic, disciplined and analytical approach to problem solving
- Demonstrated analytical and organizational skills
- Proficient in IT technology and Microsoft Office experience required, primarily in excel
- Beneficial but not required: Google Drive, Asana
- Team-oriented individual who is comfortable working on a small team and wearing multiple hats.
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain or related field
Benefits & Details:
- The role is in Denver, Colorado. We are not currently going into the office on a full-time basis (currently partially remote), but the role will be out of our office once we return.
- Full time role
- Healthcare, Dental, Vision offered
- 3% 401k match from Volio
- Small team and great opportunity for growth.
About Volio:
Volio imports wines that we love. Because we love them, we want to bring them to the US and share the journey behind each bottle of wine. In the office, we are a fun (at least we think so!) small entrepreneurial team, and we believe in providing outstanding customer service to our suppliers and customers. The best candidate for this role will be hands-on and excited to wear the many hats that come with working for a small company.
Reading an Italian Wine label can be confusing to the untrained eye. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you go from novice to wine nomenclature wiz so you can find the perfect wine! While there isn’t an exact science to this, there are a few basic things you can look for:
Rivetto Barolo Serralunga d’Alba
1. Find the Wine Name
The wine name will tell you the type of wine inside the bottle. This sounds simple enough, but there are three primary ways that producers can choose to name their wine.
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- Grape Varietal. Many producers will choose to label their wine by the grape varietal, or the type of grape used to create the wine. Popular examples of this include Pinot Grigio, Barbera, or Sangiovese. Currently, Italy’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MiPAAF) has documented over 350 grapes and granted them “authorized” status. There are more than 500 other documented varieties in circulation as well.
- Region. The most popular way of labeling a wine in Italy is by region or subregion. Examples of this include Chianti or Tuscana. The region a wine grape is grown in provides particular attributes to the flavor and terroir.
- Brand Name. Some producers will create their own brand name for their wine. This mainly applies to those in the IGT classification, or the one with the most leeway on the production standards for that type of wine. Others may just use the name of their winery as a basis for their wine name.
2. Find the Producer Name
Cantine Povero Contrada Maestra Barbera d’Asti
The producer name is the key component to recognizing the overall brand and image on any given bottle of wine. Some producers are famous for certain elements in their wines, so as your taste evolves this can become more important. Many producers will include words such as Tenuta, Azienda, Castello, or Cascina in their name. As one begins to learn more about the different varietals and regions of wine, differentiating the producer name from other components of wine becomes easier. Here you can read through our list of common Italian Wine Label Terms and definitions:
In 1963 the Italian Government initiated a classification system that breaks the land into various appellations. With a number of modifications and additions over the years, today Italian wine classification can be divided into four main categories. Each Italian appellation depends on a Consorzio — an association of producers and growers who established the laws that determine production regulations for the wine if the producer wants to label under a protected denomination.
Image courtesy of Wine Folly
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- DOCG – Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. DOCG denotes the highest quality recognition for Italian wines and is comprised of a relatively limited number of first-class wines. DOCG wines must meet a number of additional requirements, including stringent vineyard yield, grape types grown within precise boundaries, specific alcohol levels, and minimum aging. Tuscany and Piedmont carry the most DOCG wines in Italy.
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- DOC – Denominazione di Origine Controllata. DOC wines must be made in specified, government-defined zones and in accordance with particular regulations derived from Italy’s individual regions. There are over 300 DOC wines in Italy, all adhering to specific vineyard trellising, irrigation and vinification requirements, aging requirements, and alcohol limits.
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- IGT – Indicazione di Geografica Tipica. IGT wines are often ubiquitous wines grown in specific geographical growing regions; however, there are exceptions with some of Italy’s best wines falling under this category to avoid more stringent regulations associated with DOC or DOCG. IGT also allows for more vineyard experimentation, which can result in diverse and unique wines.
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- VdT – Vino Da Tavola. VdT wines have the least criteria involved in their classification system, comprised of Italian table wines with the only criteria being that they must be produced in Italy.
4. Find the Vintage
Vintage refers to the year the grape was harvested. Because harvests can vary from year-to-year, the same wine with a different vintage may be slightly different. If you don’t see a year on the bottle, this usually means the wine is N.V. (non-vintage), which means the wine was made by blending multiple years together.
So, there you have it. In order to read an Italian wine label you need to look for: Wine Name (Varietal, Region, Brand), Producer Name, Appellation, Vintage.
Now you can navigate your way around the wine shop like a pro!
Grammy award-winning and Oscar nominated artist Mary J. Blige and the Fantinel family have partnered with Volio Imports to grow Sun Goddess in the U.S. market
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DENVER, COLORADO: Sun Goddess wines — created by Mary J. Blige and Fantinel Winery — have partnered with Volio Imports as their new, exclusive U.S. importer. The Sun Goddess wine collection, a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio Ramato, encapsulates both love and passion from the sun-kissed vineyards owned by the Fantinel family, along with Mary J. Blige’s own childhood memories trying to capture the sun’s warmth and energy.
With their new representation by fine wine importer Volio Imports, the brand not only intends to reach more consumers, but also grow their impact throughout the wine industry.
“Sun Goddess hopes to shine a light on our industry and create more opportunities for women and BIPOC representation in the wine business,” commented Charles Lazzara, Volio’s founder & CEO. “Mary has been a force for innovation, and a voice for women and her community for over 25 years. The message behind Sun Goddess is something Mary has been speaking about her entire career. It is our privilege to bring that passion to the U.S. market in collaboration with the winemaking talent of Marco Fantinel and the Fantinel vineyards.”
“Creating Sun Goddess with the Fantinel family was one of my biggest passions coming to life and watching it continue to grow is indescribable.” said Mary J. Blige. “I’m so excited to partner with Volio Imports to expand our reach within the U.S. and continue to grow and break barriers within the wine industry at large, working to blaze a trail for women and BIPOC representation along the way.”
With mutual objectives to bring high quality Italian wines to American glasses, Volio Imports found a powerful relationship with Mary J. Blige and Fantinel, bringing the prestige of Friuli and the empowerment of diversity to consumers across the U.S. Volio Imports is dedicated to connecting the consumer to the vineyard experience and is thrilled to work with such a strong, influential voice and public figure who has partnered with a family-owned, high-quality vineyard.
Sun Goddess exemplifies the appreciation of Italian wine while empowering growing diversity in fine wine, backed by Mary J. Blige’s powerful story of passion, expression, and identity.
“Wine tasting is one of my passions,” Mary J. Blige said. “Wine is culture. Wine is community. Wine is lifestyle. Wine is emotion.”
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About Volio Imports:
Volio is a fine wine importer headquartered in Denver, CO. Volio has been building relationships with multi-generational wineries since 2007 and is honored to bring their wines to markets across the US. Representing 45+ Producers from Italy, France, and Spain, it is Volio’s mission to connect the customer experience to the vineyard experience.
About Fantinel:
Fantinel was founded in 1969 by restaurateur and hotelier Paron Mario Fantinel. Love for wine was soon inherited by his sons who expanded the family property, acquiring vineyards in the best areas of Friuli Venezia Giulia. The third generation is now represented by Marco and Stefano, and what started as a small agricultural company has become an internationally prestigious winery and ambassador of Friulian wine-making throughout the world. Gaining success in over 90 countries at top-level, prestigious restaurants and specialized shops, Fantinel’s rapidly growing success is confirmed by remarkable reviews received by international press.
About Mary J. Blige:
Iconic Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, Oscar-nominated actress, producer and philanthropist, Mary J. Blige is a figure of inspiration, transformation and empowerment making her one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 32 nominations), two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, a SAG nomination, and a BET Lifetime Achievement award, among many other accolades, Blige has cemented herself as a global superstar. The singer/songwriter has attracted an intensely loyal fan base—responsible for propelling worldwide sales of more than 50 million albums.
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Contact:
Blake Eve
Director of Marketing
blake@volioimports.com
720-536-5714
www.volioimports.com
Fattoria Poggerino is a small, organic, family-run winery located in the heart of Tuscany’s beautiful Chianti Classico production zone. It consists of 106 acres (43 hectares) of vineyards, olive groves, and woods, with a few old traditional stone houses and a 12th century church. Known for their attention to detail, sustainable farming practices, and strong family values, Poggerino consistently produces outstanding Chianti vintages, earning ratings over 90 points each year.
Poggerino winery stands out in their commitment to organic farming and the way they treat their grapevine canopies. A grapevine canopy refers to the collective parts of the grapevine’s fruit, trunk, shoots, cordons, and leaves. It is considered one of the most important aspects of vineyard management because the canopy directly influences the quantity and quality of the vine’s yields.
Most producers practice canopy topping, where they cut off the top of the vines. Instead, Poggerino employs a technique called Accapannamento, which is a unique process that requires the canopy to be rolled by hand.
Poggerino captured a day-by-day progression of their canopies to show their Accapannare treatment in action. Below you can see how the top of the canopies appear before and after treatment.
Rolling the canopy has an impact on the vine’s vigor, or the relative growth rate of a particular vine.
Vigorously growing shoots are characterized by having long internodes (the smooth portion of a shoot between nodes), large leaves, and oftentimes actively growing lateral shoots. If the vine produces too much greenery such as leaves or shoots, then it will re-distribute and redirect more resources to its many leaves and branches, leaving less for the grapes. The accapannamento allows the farmer to better control the canopy’s growth in a strategic way. A fair number of leaves is still paramount for photosynthesis and grapes’ growth, so balancing the size of the canopy is crucial. In areas where there is little vigor, rolling the vines creates less stress for the vines as they do not need to create more vegetation. This leads to better balance in the vineyards which means better ripening grapes in terms of sugar and phenols. Rolling instead of cutting the canopy also conveniently helps reduce the chance of disease in the grapevines. All of this translates into better and more balanced wines. Poggerino’s accapannare method highlights the extreme attention to detail they put into their vineyards and the hand-crafted work they do to create beautiful, balanced wines.
Poggerino has a rich history with Volio imports, to learn more about how this amazing winery became Volio Imports’ very first producer, check out our producer page here! Check out Poggerino’s website to see more of their beautiful winery!
If you’re looking to get your hands on the #1 wine brand in Italy you’re in the right place.
Volio Imports launched as the national importer of Tavernello, the #1 Italian Wine Brand, starting May 2021 through a strategic partnership with Caviro. The excellent value of Tavernello comes from combining generations of Italian tradition with modern winemaking techniques. Enjoyed by Italian families for over 30 years, the wines are approachable varietals and blends that celebrate and represent the Italian lifestyle.
Contact us and we’ll get you in touch with your local Tavernello distributor.
As a cooperative, Caviro is dedicated to sustainability with the vision of managing the land so it can be passed on to future generations. They have received leading sustainability awards for their holistic and dedicated approach to economic, social, and environmental sustainability, adding even more value to every glass of Tavernello.
The wines of Tavernello present perfect opportunities for learning about and appreciating Italian wine and sustainable winemaking as a whole, especially for those who are new to imported wine. Volio is thrilled to introduce these approachable wines to eager and curious drinkers in the US.
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N°1 wine in Italy, according to sales, source Iri, year ending December 2020, based on packaged goods, total wine by volume sold at grocery self service store > 100 SqM
The #1 Italian Wine Brand, Tavernello, is now represented in the US market by Volio Imports through a new strategic partnership with Caviro.
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DENVER, COLORADO – The Caviro Group, the leading cooperative in the Italian wine sector, and Volio, a well-known fine-wine importer and marketer, have entered into a partnership for the brand Tavernello in the US market.
The brand Tavernello is Caviro’s flagship brand and is the number-one wine brand in Italy and the number-ten wine brand worldwide. The excellent value of Tavernello comes from combining generations of Italian tradition with modern winemaking techniques. Enjoyed by Italian families for over 30 years, the wines are approachable varietals and blends that celebrate and represent the Italian lifestyle.
Volio has found a symbiotic partner in Caviro, Italy’s leading wine group. Their mutual objectives of innovation, quality, sustainability, and representation of Italian wines are the foundation for the partnership between Caviro and Volio.
Caviro was founded as a farming cooperative in 1966 in the heart of Emiglia-Romagna. Caviro’s mission is to enhance winegrowers’ grapes in a territory with a rich wine identity. As a cooperative, Caviro is dedicated to sustainability with the vision of managing the land so it can be passed onto future generations. They have received leading sustainability awards, including Equalitas Certification as a sustainable wine producer (Italy’s leading certification for wine) and Premio Impresa Ambiente for best management for sustainable development, which takes into account their environmental, economic, and social impacts. The second edition of their Sustainability Report outlines everything from their energy self-sufficiency, to their best employers in Italy awards, to their work with the UN for sustainable development.
Volio Imports is dedicated to the future generations of both wine growers and wine drinkers. They have been certified Carbon Neutral through CarbonFund.org since 2019 and prioritize education on sustainable winemaking so that US wine-drinkers can feel empowered in their purchasing decisions. The wines of Tavernello present perfect opportunities for learning about and appreciating Italian wine and sustainable winemaking as a whole, especially for those who are new to imported wine. Volio is thrilled to introduce these approachable wines to eager and curious drinkers in the US.
Charles Lazzara, Volio’s founder & CEO, commented on the new partnership, “Bringing Tavernello to the US market allows us to continue our mission and connect more consumers to the quality wines of Italy. Italians enjoy an everyday, relaxed wine drinking culture, and Tavernello allows Americans to enjoy quality wine at an everyday price. We’re excited to announce our partnership with Caviro and bring the number-one Italian wine brand to tables across the country.”
Volio launched as national importer of Tavernello starting May 2021.
About Volio Imports:
Volio is a fine wine importer headquartered in Denver, CO. Volio has been building relationships with small, multi-generational wineries since 2007 and is honored to bring their wines to markets across the US. Representing 40+ Producers from Italy, France, and Spain, it is Volio’s mission to connect the customer experience to the vineyard experience.
N°1 wine in Italy, according to sales, source Iri, year ending December 2020, based on packaged goods, total wine by volume sold at grocery self service store > 100 SqM
Source: IMPACT DATABANK – World’s top wine brand 2019