An Italian Star is Born Diageo Chateau & Estate Wines Introduces Stellina Di Notte Pinot Grigio

02/10/07 The new Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio, from romantic northeast Italy, was released in late September and can now be found in stores nationally. Stellina di Notte, meaning "little night star," is a classic example of Pinot Grigio from the Delle Venezie Indicazione Geographica Tipica or IGT, also known as the Tre Venezie or Three Venices region. The area, which includes Trentino-Alto Adige, Veneto (home to the city of Venice) and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, is renowned for its Pinot Grigio grapes and beautiful night skies. The 2006 Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio features alluring aromas of melon, kiwi, and golden apple. Smooth and silky on the palate, it offers lush tropical fruit and citrus flavors, balanced by a pleasant minerality. The wine will sell for a suggested retail price of $10.

The three areas of the Venezie, where grapes for Stellina are sourced, are known for their high altitude, cool summers and warm currants from the Adriatic Sea. The soils of the regions are calcareous and marly. These conditions are ideal for growing Pinot Grigio and allow the varietal to fully express its potential.

Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio is crafted by Italian winemaker Stefano Pesci. As the grandson of a winegrower and son of an enologist, wine was a family passion that interested Pesci as well. He gained crucial winemaking skills during his six years of study at Istituto Superiore Specializzato in Viticoltura e l'Enologia di Alba, a prestigious wine school based in his hometown of Alba, Italy. Working for small, family-owned wineries during the summers enabled him to experience first hand what he learned in school. He continued his wine education by attending the University of Turin where he studied all aspects of wine science. Eventually, his experience led him to the Diageo Brand Technical Center based in Italy.

"In Italy, wine is quite literally a way of life," says Pesci. "By creating Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio, I strive to share the communal, celebratory spirit that Italians have brought to the table for centuries."

Stellina di Notte Pinot Grigio taps into America's growing demand for Italian Pinot Grigio, which is currently experiencing double digit growth rates. Recent IRI data shows Pinot Grigio is the leading import wine sold in the United States. Statistics also show Pinot Grigio is the 4th largest varietal in retail sales in the US and continues to be one of the fastest-growing varietals.