and more:
• Movia's Thinking Reds
• Summer Case: Super-Whites
• A Wine Club For The Collector!

Before The Super Whites, There Was...


It’s that time of year when the season screams for frosty whites, and there are none better than the world-class whites of Friuli. Here in the Northeast corridor of Italy, the clash of German, Slavic, and Italian cultures has influenced the creation of Italy’s best white wines. We are not talking about the recent popularity of the simple, crisp Pinot Grigios that has plagued American wine shops, or the oxidized wines of the old world, but structured, rather complex whites that rival even the classic German and French whites.

In the sixties, avant garde producers like Schiopetto and Felluga created a style of crisp, clean wines with the introduction of stainless steel tanks and the elimination of oxidation in the winemaking process. This modern style eventually gave birth to the Super White movement with the release of Silvio Jermann’s blended Vintage Tunina. These complex blends from producers like Vie di Romans, La Castellada, Lis Neris, Villa Russiz, and Bastianich continue to capture international attention with their exotically aromatic or full-bodied charm. However, even with all this recent attention, there is a historic producer that has always shone at the foot of the Alps. It is here, on the border of Friuli and Slovenia, that great whites (and reds) have been produced for more than 300 years by the Kristancic family under the Movia label. Each year we are proud to introduce new vintage arrivals and share the story of this historic family.

Read on to learn about these excellent drinking wines of summer. For more information on these wines and other world class whites from Friuli, please contact our Portfolio Managers at 212.473.2323.

Click for more wines from IWM!

A Slovenian Wine Story...

Brda is the Slovenian name for Collio, an area named for its hilly landscape. The Collio is the most important wine producing area in Italy's northeastern region of Friuli, and it extends just over the border into neighboring Slovenia.

In Brda, the Movia estate has been producing wine for more than three centuries. Purchased by the Kristancic family in 1820, the estate is now run by young Ales. This French- and Italian-trained winemaker takes a historical but radical approach to his wines. He ages the whites in Slovenian oak casks, leaving them on the lees without stirring for more than two years. His reds deserve a treatment no less novel. Depending on the variety, Ales leaves his reds to age for three to seven years, once again in small Slovenian oak casks. This is an excellent example of how oak can be a tool, not a weapon. He never racks the wines; they are fined and filtered by the atmospheric pressure brought by the arrival of the new moon. This is a purely natural approach that leaves the wines brilliantly clear.

Ales learned these techniques while growing up in the vineyards and winery. On many a late evening and Saturday afternoon when he would have preferred to play soccer, the new moon rose and Ales dutifully helped his father transfer wines from barrel to barrel. Slowly, the family business grew on him, and today he whole heartedly implements the rigorous biodynamic principles handed down to him with a revived passion.

Decanter Magazine describes Ales as having "the creativity of Andre Ostertag, the energy of Angelo Gaja and the dedication of Willi Brundlmayer, plus inherited flair and determination." Ales exudes enthusiasm, from his animated gesticulations to his vibrant tango dancing. The Movia wines express the same exquisite character and individuality.

Click here for other wine profiles!

Movia's World Class Whites

Pure varietal character shines through in each of these wines. Ales' unique aging process results in a natural oxidation that gives the wines a very distinct character. They are full bodied and very well balanced, with oak that is not overpowering.

1999 Pinot Grigio $22.88 (750ml)
Rich in minerals, white fruits and acacia honey with a touch of creaminess.

2001 Ribolla Gialla $22.88 (750ml)
A pretty copper color at the core. Rich in fresh apples and damson with a chalky streak right down the middle.

2000 Turno $26.40 (750ml)
A trio of Pinots - Grigio, Bianco and Nero. All the grapes for this wine are grown in the same vineyard and vinified together. Exotic spices and tropical flavors of apricot, pineapple and mango are molded by the oak into a full-bodied, multi-layered package.

2001 Sauvignon $25.08 (750ml)
A must try! This is made from a particular clone of Sauvignon Blanc found only in one plot of the Movia vineyards. It is a subtle white that is not as "green" as typical Sauvignon. Compelling notes of tangerine and mango provide further intrigue.

1999 Veliko Bianco $27.69 (750ml)
Each vintage is a blend of varying proportions of Ribolla, Chardonnay, Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio. Flowery hints on the nose are followed by a robust palate of persimmon, apricot and baked apple touched by traces of cinnamon and vanilla. Elegant and age-worthy, this is a superb value.

Click here to order Movia's White Wines by fax!

Movia's Thinking Reds

These are definitely "thinking" wines, unlikely to resemble any other reds encountered by even the most experienced palates.

1996 Veliko Rosso $32.30 (750ml)
Cabernet, Merlot and Pinot Nero come together in this distinguished blend. Rich, dark fruit emerges, accented by evergreen.

1997 Cabernet Sauvignon $35.42 (750ml)
More structured and more tannic than the other two reds, with classic black currant and black plum. A stylish and unusual take on Cabernet.

1998 Pinot Nero $41.00 (750ml)
Round and elegant with red currants, strawberries, and wild cherries. Smooth on the palate, long on the finish.

Click here to order Movia's Red Wines by fax!

Summer Case: Super-Whites From Italy

IWM is offering six great examples of Super Whites in both a six-pack (1 of each) and a case sampler (2 of each) for your summer entertaining. Experience Friuli's blended white wines. Each wine incorporates an array of grape varieties that provide for a unique palate adventure. From the exotically aromatic Flors di Uis to the smoky and rich Bianco della Castellada you will discover the range of flavors that stainless steel and oak barrels can impart to these northern fruit wonders.

Movia 2000 Turno
Bastianich 2000 Vespa Bianco
Jermann 2002 Vintage Tunina
Vie di Romans 2001 Flors di Uis
Movia 1999 Veliko Bianco
La Castellada 2000 Bianco della Castellada

IWM Super Whites Six-Pack (6) $216.80*
IWM Super Whites Case Sampler (12) $403.13*
*Free delivery to NYC residents

Click here to order your Super Whites Case by fax!

A Wine Club For The Collector!

We can proudly say, there is no other. Through IWMs' Patron Wine Club, we open our cellar doors and include members in something rare and unique. Selections are not based on inventory, but rather driven by the desire to enlighten collectors and enthusiasts to the world of high quality Italian wine. Open up your palate and learn what makes these wines great.

There is no other merchant that would include the limited-production cult favorite of the South - Montevetrano; or the most collectible Barbaresco in the world - Giacosa Santo Stefano; or perhaps the great example of modern-style Barolo from the 1997 vintage - Scavino Bric del Fiasc. All have received the IWM Stamp of Excellence and are Tre Bicchieri winners and/or have received 95+ ratings from Parker.

In addition to receiving these wines well below market value, members have other benefits. For more information about Sergio's Cellar Club or our other wine club levels, please contact Chris Deas at 212.334.6734.

Give the perfect gift, an IWM Wine Club. Click to explore!