3Q Umbria Rosso 2018 (Italy) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a delicious red wine from Italy that comes in eco-friendly packaging. The world's first paper wine bottle was launched at the LCBO in March and is widely available across Ontario.

The wine is produced by Cantina Goccia. It was founded 15 years ago and borne out of the pure love of Umbria and its unrecognized potential as a superb wine producing area deep in the heart of Italy when they transformed an unloved vineyard into an award-winning producer of outstanding wines. With a focus on tradition, quality, and innovation, Cantina Goccia is proud to be the very first vineyard to use the Frugal Bottle, the world's first paper wine bottle.

Packaged by Frugalpac, the outer shell of this "bottle" is made with 94% recycled cardboard, which is 5 times lighter than a glass bottle, making it easier to carry and transport. I can attest that this bottle is quite light, and helps reduce its carbon footprint, which is already 84% less than glass and 1/3 less than 100% plastic. To keep the wine inside safe, it uses a food-grade liner. To recycle, simply split the bottle, remove the liner, and recycle the paper shell.

Tasting Note:

3Q UMBRIA ROSSO 2018 - IGT Umbria, Italy (#22878) (XD) - $16.95
Screw cap. This unoaked blend of 60% Sangiovese, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 20% Merlot has a medium-high intensity nose that is spicy and perfumed with red and black fruit, blackberry, currant, cassis, plum, and herbs with chocolate and wet earth tones. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe, dry, and fruity palate with plummy, red and black cherry, currant, herbs, and savoury earth flavours. Fresh acids and supple, grainy textured tannins offer a pleasing mouthfeel, while earthy and chocolate notes with a slight tang linger on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy for the juice and commendable packaging! Score: 88 pts

Other wines by Cantina Goccia can be ordered through their Agent - DB Wine & Spirits.