2020 Le Monde, Cabernet Franc, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

ABOUT THIS WINE

The Grapes come from vines grown in calcareous-clay, rich soils. Harvested in early October the wine undergoes slow fermentation in controlled temperature, stainless steel tanks with daily punchdowns for 15-20 days; aged in stainless steel for 9 months before bottling.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Nearly a millennia ago under the dominion of the Republic of Venice, the region of Prata di Pordenone started to gain importance as an agricultural region. Le Monde is a territory lying within this region between the Livenza and Meduna rivers, close to the border between the provinces of Treviso and Pordenone, all within the D.O.C of Friuli Grave. The “Serenissima” (Venetian Republic), built Venetian villas in this area and developed its agricultural resources in nearby farms located along watercourses connecting them to the Venetian Lagoon.

Friuli Grave is the largest appellation in Friuli Venezia Giulia accounting for more than 50% of the region’s wine production. The high Friuli plain, sheltered by the Alpine foothills, has a particularly original landscape marked with stony soils called “Magredi” or “Grave”. Over thousands of years, rivers deposited enormous quantities of calcareous-dolomitic material. The foothills protect the valley from the icy winds from the north. The nearby Adriatic Sea provides a maritime influence. The pebbles and stones reflect the light in the day and store heat to be released at night. All this creates an environment very well suited to agriculture. The winery headquarters, built in the eighteenth century maintains the architectural characteristics of the time.

Le Monde takes its name from the Germanic word “mundio” that referred to the protection granted by the Austrian Emperor to some lands. With 50 hectares (125 acres) of vineyards, Le Monde was founded in 1970 by the Pistioni family and taken over by the Maccan family in 2008. The Maccan family is from the Prata di Pordenone area and became quite successful in industrial technology. The family had the desire to lift the quality of wine in the region to its highest potential. Alex Maccan, then 31, passionate about wine was energized and enthusiastic to take on the task.