Funambule Jurancon Sparkling 2018

FUSO is a collaboration project between natural wine importer Portofino with organic grower/vignerons in different Italian regions to produce "Italy’s natural and characterful daily drinkers from farmers and producers who are our long time friends and colleagues".

Here they partner with Crotin 1897, the Russo family’s cantina and agriturismo run by matriarch Daniela and her three sons.  Daniela also holds down a day job (she's an animal veterinarian, specializing in homeopathic and natural medicine) so her Federico, Marcello and Corrado manage the vineyards and cellar.  Crotin, which in Piemontese dialect means “small cellar.”

The family is fully committed to organic farming principles, and their wines ooze the lifeforce of their vineyards. Bread and butter grapes like Barbera, Grignolino and Freisa are the game around here and these guys play it with spectacular results. Over the last five years, they’ve brought their wines to a new level with direction from Italy’s cool-kid enologist, Cristiano Garella.