Santa Margherita Launches Chianti Classico Riserva

LAKE BLUFF, Ill., July 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Santa Margherita, the Italian wine that revolutionized the American market with its Pinot Grigio, is releasing a Chianti Classico Riserva, beginning with the 2007 vintage reaching store shelves and fine restaurant wine lists this month.  

Imported by Terlato Wines, the Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva is a modern representation of a classic Italian varietal.  Its Riserva status makes this carefully crafted wine deserving company to its iconic Pinot Grigio partner.  By law, Italian Riservas receive at least two years of barrel aging and are subjected to additional quality controls. Santa Margherita is offering its Chianti Classico Riserva at a suggested retail price of $25 per bottle.

"This is a versatile and complex wine that is going to redefine Chianti Classico for consumers interested in superior quality," said Bill Terlato, chief executive officer of Terlato Wines.

Indeed, while Santa Margherita Chianti Classico Riserva remains an ideal match for traditional Sangiovese-based wine pairings such as pasta dishes, its extended oak aging and 10% Cabernet and 5% Merlot components result in a subtle-yet-powerful wine that's perfectly suited to pair with steaks and chops, too.

Produced from 20- to 30-year-old vines in high-elevation vineyards in the town of Greve in Chianti, in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti Classico region, the Riserva boasts a deep, dense ruby red color, with aromas and flavors of plums and black cherries accented by spice, floral and herbaceous notes.

The Chianti Classico Riserva features a cream label similar to the one adorning bottles of Santa Margherita's Pinot Grigio, which introduced American consumers to exceptional Pinot Grigio in 1979 and has been the leading brand ever since, ranking as the No. 1 imported wine in top restaurants for each of the last 16 years.

This remarkable success has made the Santa Margherita brand synonymous with Pinot Grigio; in addition the company has successfully branched into other indigenous varietals in recent years. Its Prosecco ranks as the top-selling luxury-priced wine in the category, and Terlato executives are confident their Chianti Classico Riserva will add another thriving success story to their portfolio.

"Santa Margherita has introduced generations of Americans to the finest Italian wines," said Mr. Terlato. "Chianti Classico Riserva helps to ensure that we continue that spirit of innovation."

Terlato Wines International (TWI) has a global portfolio of more than 50 brands from an array of world class wine producers and presently markets more than one out of ten bottles of wine over $14 sold in America. According to Nielsen AdViews, Terlato Wines accounts for 26 percent of all advertising dollars spent among Luxury Wine companies—the leader in the category. TWI garners more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world and is a division of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company comprising several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family for four generations, the Group also includes the family's winery investments and partnerships in some of the world's most esteemed wine regions, including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; the Rhône Valley in France; and Montalcino, Italy.

The Terlato Wines International portfolio of brands includes: Napa Valley: Brandlin, Chimney Rock, Cuvaison Estate Wines, EPISODE, Galaxy, Jack Nicklaus Wines, Luke Donald Collection, Markham Vineyards, Quickfire, Rutherford Hill, Tangley Oaks, Terlato Family Vineyards; Sonoma County: Alderbrook, Giarrusso, Hanna, Hideaway Creek, Rochioli, The Federalist and Terlato Family Vineyards; Santa Barbara County: Sanford and Tangley Oaks; California Appellation: Glass Mountain, Greystone Cellars and Seven Daughters; Oregon: Sokol Blosser; Italy: Ca' Marcanda (Gaja Toscana), Florio Martinez Marsala, Gaja, Il Poggione, Kettmeir, MAZZONI (Toscana), Santa Margherita, Tiramisu, Torresella and Distillatori Nonino (Grappa); France: Champagne Bollinger, M. Chapoutier, Domaine Chanson, Josmeyer, Langlois-Chateau and Mischief and Mayhem; Australia: Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, The Lucky Country and Two Hands; Argentina: Tamari; Canada: Peller Estates Icewine; Greece: Boutari; Mediterranean: Elios;  New Zealand: Wairau River; South Africa: Anthonij Rupert, Ernie Els Wines, Guardian Peak and Rust En Vrede; Spain: Olvena; Japan: Shimizu-no-mai Sake.

SOURCE Terlato Wines International