Falstaff Points for CasalFarneto

Falstaff awards for CasalFarneto

Falstaff Points for CasalFarneto

Casal Farneto, has received outstanding recognition from Falstaff, one of Europe’s most prestigious wine guides. Five of their signature wines were awarded high scores, a testament to the dedication, passion, and unique terroir of the Marche region.

CasalFarneto:

Nestled in the rolling hills of Serra de Conti, in the heart of Italy’s Marche region, Casal Farneto is more than just a winery; it’s a philosophy.  Their motto, ‘il gusto del tempo’ (the taste of time), guides everything they do.

Founded in 1995, the estate spans 35 hectares of vineyards, situated in the classic Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi area. They embrace a philosophy that beautifully merges tradition with modern innovation, operating as a ‘technological farm’ that deeply respects the rhythms of nature. Sustainability is at their core, with a strong focus on organic practices to ensure every bottle is a true expression of their land.

While their soul is rooted in the region’s noble white grape, Verdicchio, CasalFarneto also cultivates exceptional red varieties like Montepulciano, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon, crafting wines of structure, elegance, and longevity.

The guide uses a 100-point scoring system, which is the international standard for rating wine. 

  • 95-100 Points: An absolute classic or ‘wine of the century.’

  • 93-94 Points: Outstanding. (Awarded to Otto Borghi)

  • 91-92 Points: Excellent, among the best of its vintage. (Awarded to Crisio & Gran Casale)

  • 88-90 Points: Very good, a highly recommended wine. (Awarded to Diego & Fontevecchia)

The five Casal Farneto wines that captured the attention of the Falstaff critics are:

 

93 Points

Otto Borghi – Marche IGT Rosso

A masterful blend of Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot.

Tasting Notes: This is a wine of remarkable structure and elegance. It greets the nose with intense aromas of ripe black cherries, blackberries, and plums, layered with notes of spice, leather, vanilla, and chocolate from its 18-month aging in French barriques. The palate is warm, full-bodied, and rich, with soft, velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish.

92 Points

 Crisio – Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva DOCG

-100% Verdicchio Riserva.

Tasting Notes: This is a full-bodied, complex, and incredibly elegant white wine. It offers a beautiful bouquet of citrus, white flowers, and ripe peach, underpinned by notes of aromatic herbs and a distinct minerality. The finish is persistent and characterized by the classic Verdicchio almond note, promising excellent aging potential.

91 Points

Gran Casale – Rosso Conero Riserva DOCG

-tribute to the other great grape of the Marche: Montepulciano

Tasting Notes: A deep ruby-red color, this wine opens with an intense, vinous nose of sour cherry, plum jam, and delicate spicy notes. After aging in oak, the palate is structured, warm, and harmonious, showing a soft texture and a persistent, flavorful finish that perfectly balances fruit and spice.

90 Points

Diego – Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico (Vino Biologico)

100% Verdicchio Classico, crafted from organically grown grapes.

Tasting Notes: Bright, fresh, and inviting. The nose is bursting with notes of yellow plum, fresh pear, and citrus, with a lovely hint of meadow flowers. The palate is juicy and vibrant, with a racy acidity that makes it incredibly refreshing and easy to drink. A clean, dry, and thoroughly enjoyable organic wine.

90 Points

Fontevecchia – Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore

This Verdicchio Superiore is named for the ‘old spring’ that borders the estate.

Tasting Notes: A classic in every sense. It offers elegant aromas of white flowers, green apple, and citrus peel, backed by a signature high-minerality ‘wet stone’ character. The palate is perfectly balanced between fresh acidity and a rich texture, leading to a long, persistent finish with the hallmark almond flavor.

Discover ‘the taste of time’ and explore these award-winning wines. 

For more information: 

www.casalfarneto.it

Cala Silente: the essence of Sardinian Vermentino

Cala Silente: the essence of Sardinian Vermentino

Cala Silente: The Essence of Sardinian Vermentino

Cala Silente is a distinguished white wine from Sardinia, Italy. It is crafted by the renowned Cantina Santadi winery. This wine is a 100% Vermentino di Sardegna DOC. It truly showcases the potential of Sardinia’s signature white grape. Its taste captures the unique spirit of its Mediterranean origin.

From the Heart of Sulcis, Sardinia

Cantina Santadi is located in the Sulcis district of southwestern Sardinia. The winery was founded in 1960 in the town of Santadi. In 2025, it proudly marks its 65th anniversary. The cooperative is a standard-bearer for quality Sardinian wine.

Unique terroir:  Their Cala Silente (“Silent Cove”) perfectly expresses this unique terroir. Vineyards in Sulcis benefit from a coastal climate. Summers are warm and dry, while winters remain mild.

The grapes grow in sandy and clay-loam soils. This specific soil composition gives the wine its distinct character.

Cala Silente: the essence of Sardinian Vermentino
Cala Silente: the essence of Sardinian Vermentino

Winemaking Process

The winemaking for Cala Silente is meticulous. The grapes are carefully selected Vermentino. They are harvested in early September in Sardinia. The grapes undergo a gentle pressing. Fermentation happens in cool stainless steel tanks. This process preserves the wine’s delicate fruit aromas. The wine then ages on its lees. This technique adds complexity, structure, and a richer mouthfeel.

Tasting Profile

-Appearance: Cala Silente shows a brilliant straw yellow color. It has subtle greenish-gold reflections.

-Aroma: The nose is intense and inviting. It offers a bouquet of fresh fruit aromas. You will notice crisp green apple, ripe peach, and zesty citrus. Hints of flowers and Sardinian minerality complete the scent.

Palate: The palate is both elegant and full-bodied. It balances fresh acidity with a pleasing roundness. Flavors of stone fruit and citrus carry through. A characteristic saline note points to its coastal Sardinian origin. The finish is long, persistent, and refreshing.

Food Pairing Suggestions:  Cala Silente is a versatile wine for food pairing. Its crispness is perfect for rich seafood and shellfish. This makes it a classic pairing choice. The wine also complements flavorful white meats and poultry. Try it with pasta dishes using vegetable or light cream sauces. For a true taste of Sardinia, pair it with local food. Enjoy it with Sardinian specialties like fregola with clams or grilled sea bass.

Cala Silente: the essence of Sardinian Vermentino

The Concours Mondial de Bruxelles is a prestigious international competition, established in 1994, known for its rigorous standards and commitment to identifying the world’s finest wines and spirits. Split into various sessions and selections throughout the year, it evaluates over 15,000 entries annually. An exclusively professional tasting panel ensures a blind tasting process focused solely on quality, making the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles a globally recognized benchmark for excellence in wine and spirits. 

Italy delivered an exceptional performance during the 32nd edition of the prestigious Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. With a total of 351 awards, the country confirmed its top position in the wine world. The Italian wines were decorated with 15 Grand Gold Medals, 132 Gold Medals, and 204 Silver Medals.

This year, the competition for red and white wines took place from June 10 to 12, 2025, in Yinchuan, the heart of China’s Ningxia wine region. An international jury of 375 experts blind-tasted over 7,165 wines. These wines came from 49 different countries, highlighting the global scale of the event.

The Cala Silente 2024 from Cantina di Santadi got a gold medal at this competition.

For more information about the winery, take a look at their website: