Third-generation Italian-Australian wine business Calabria Family Wine Group is bringing a touch of Italian flair to Australia’s wine scene with a collection of new release wines from international producers Canti and Librandi.

Longtime champions of emerging, Mediterranean-inspired wine varieties grown right in our own backyard, the Calabria family is going straight to the source with its new distribution arm Vintners & Co Merchants.

This new entity was formed as part of the Calabria Family Wine Group to showcase the family’s unique international distribution partnerships and their collection of world class international wines.

Andrew Calabria, Sales & Marketing Director for Calabria Family Wines, notes the steady and gradual surge in ‘alternative varieties’ produced locally has contributed to a strong interest from both retail customers and consumers for international wines that quench Australian drinkers’ vinous curiosity.

“From Nero d’Avola, Nebbiolo, to Fiano and Arneis, Australians are becoming accustomed to the Mediterranean-style and particularly, Italian-made wines. These changing tastes are also reflected in the mammoth growth of the Prosecco category over recent years as consumers look beyond just French champagne for their sparkling-based celebrations,” Calabria said.

While in the shadow of French and New Zealand imports, Italy is the third largest country of origin importer into Australia, with over $104 million worth of Italian made wines making their way to Australian shores in 2020.

Calabria Family Wines hopes the Canti brand will become a key player in the Australian prosecco category based on its international success. Canti was founded in 2001 by Gianni Martini, the renowned second-generation wine entrepreneur of the Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi spa. The inspiration behind Canti is to bring the Italian style and spirit to every important moment in life through his company’s wines.

In 2016, Canti was the best-selling prosecco brand in the world, selling around 12 million bottles. In 2017 it increased its sales to 20 million bottles and remains one of the world's best selling proseccos.

In a nod to their Southern Italian heritage, the Calabria family are also bringing Calabrian family winery Librandi to Australian drinkers. Librandi is a winery based in Cirò, in the eastern corner of the Calabria region of Southern Italy.

Although founded in the 1950’s, the family has been working with wines for centuries and four generations of winemakers lie behind brothers and founders Antonio and Nicodemo Librandi. The Librandi winemaking philosophy is to “meld tradition with innovation, without the one overcoming the other.”

These wines will be available from select wine retailers nationally and Canti Prosecco’s are available online at www.calabriawines.com.au

A taste of Italy from Calabria Family Wine Group

  • Canti Prosecco Millesimato ‘Bio’ Organic D.O.C NV Available from: Calabria Family Cellar Doors (Riverina & Barossa), Australian Selected Independent Liquor Stores & www.calabriawines.com.au RRP: $22.95

  • Canti Prosecco Millesimato D.O.C. NV Available from: Calabria Family Cellar Doors (Riverina & Barossa), Australian Selected Independent Liquor Stores & www.calabriawines.com.au RRP: $18.95

  • Segno Librandi Cirò Rosso Classico DOC 2019 The red was made from single-varietal Gaglioppo grapes that were grown in the clay loam and limestone soils of Cirò Marina, in Calalbria, Italy . To make the wine, the grapes were harvested from late September to early October, and macerated in steel vats for 3-5 days. The wine was then aged in the steel vats before aging in the bottle for a few months. Available from select wine retailers. RRP: $26.99

  • Segno Librandi Cirò Bianco DOC 2020 The wine was made from single-variety Greco Bianco grapes grown in the clay loam and limestone soils of Cirò Marina, in Calabria, Italy. To make the wine, the grapes were harvested in late September before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel vats, with soft pressing of the grapes. The wine was aged in stainless steel vats, which was followed by a brief stay in the bottle. Available from select wine retailers. RRP: $26.99

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