We begin our first round-up of 2010 with the news that Chianti producer Barone Ricasoli has switched its UK distribution from Enotria to Fells. One of the oldest Chianti houses, established in 1141, Ricasoli said the Fells portfolio made ‘a good fit’ for the future, while Fells CEO Colin McKenzie said the company was ‘honoured and delighted’ to represent the winery.

Staying in Italy, Moreno has signed up Masseria Surani of Puglia, a new venture from the Pasqua family. Fiano, Primitivo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay have been planted on an 80ha site in the Salento area.

Restaurants and independent merchants are the target for Bodegas Naia from Rueda in Spain, a new agency for Boutinot Ltd. Old vine Verdejo offers a new take on the trademark Rueda style in three bottles: the unoaked K-Naia, the lees-aged Naia and the barrel-fermented Naiades.

Bibendum has also been busy in Rueda, signing an exclusive UK distribution deal with Agricola Castellana for its flagship Cuatro Rayas Vinedos Centenarios Verdejo. Originally a small co-op, Agricola Castellana now has 400 members farming about 2,000ha of vines. Cuatro Rayas is a premium on-trade label produced from vines with an average age of 100 years.

Finally, Domaine Direct is now UK agent for Domaine Cordier Père et Fils from the Mâconnais. A family-run estate, Cordier’s UK-bound wines include a Macon-Loché, a Pouilly-Fuissé Terroir de Vergisson and a Pouilly-Fuissé Cuvée Première. Domaine Direct will also import one of the company’s négociant wines, the Viré-Clessé Clos du Château.

News item from Imbibe.com, 29-01-2010