THE WINE
We usually consider shining a light on ecological practices as the main driver of our little shop’s selection of food and drink but there is a growing need to discuss how we talk about some of the omnipresent issues with the wine (and food) trade as a whole. So respect to Fra I Monti for this label - a bull in the china shop - that stampedes in and forces attention on the increasing level of slave labour within the Italian wine world.
Caporalato translates as “gangmaster” - illegal labour brokers that skim labourers’ wages, charge them for securing jobs and housing etc - and Sam is a migrant labourer - now adopted as part of the team at Fra I Monte - with this skin-contact Semillon named in his honour.
Vibrant and alive in the glass - and good for the conscience!
THE PEOPLE
Based in Terelle in Lazio, Fra I Monti is run by Rocco and Benedetto Leone. Formed in 2018 they have aquired a collection of parcels, surrounded by chestnut trees, containing old vines of the native grapes like Maturano and Fiano, and some Semillon and Merlot - nativised to the region since Napoleon's time, much like in Tuscany.
THE PLACE
Terelle is roughly halfway between Rome and Naples. The region is dominated by its rich red soils, and steep sloped valleys aiding airflow and keeping a freshness to the wines in the increasingly warm summers. Winemaking here has a long history, given its place at the centre of the Roman empire with vines initially planted by the Etruscans. In the Napoleonic occupation of Italy many French varietals were introduced to the region as was the case in Tuscany to the north. The post-phylloxera era (late 19th century to 20th) was dominated by a quantity not quality mentality with the reputation of the region hitting the bottom of the barrel on the coattails of mass-produced Frascati. Luckily locals such as Rocco and Benedetto, Marco Tomei and others are looking to regenerate the reputation of their home region and focus on their unique heritage and legacy.
Fra I Monti - Sam-illon 2023
6% Off 6 Bottles
Name Sam-illon Producer Fra I Monti Style White (Skin-contact) Country Italy Region Lazio Vintage 2023 Grape 100% Semillon ABV % 13.5 SO2 None added. Production Organic. Natural fermentation. Unifned. Unfiltered. Vegan Tasting notes Volcanic + Satsuma + Vibrant We consider your satisfaction with our products and service to be of utmost importance. With this in mind if you are dissatisfied with the purchase you have made or the service you have received, please contact us immediately on hello@pullo.shop
In the unlikely event that your product is damaged on arrival or if the wrong product has been delivered to you, please contact us and we will arrange for collection and exchange or reimbursement. We will reimburse you within 14 days from the date you notify us, once the items have been collected, returned to us and inspected.
Unfortunately from time to time wines or ciders may arrive out of condition, usually due to defective closures or any number of possible naturally occurring faults. If you find a bottle where you believe this is the case please contact us immediately.
You may wish to cancel your order for whatever reason after it arrives. In which case you may do so within 7 working days from receiving the order, provided the bottles are unopened, intact and in their original packaging (which must still be in its original condition). Once the goods are collected and inspected, we will reimburse you for the cost of the product minus a surcharge for collection. If you fail to make the goods available for collection within 14 days of cancellation, you will be deemed to have accepted the goods.