In a collaboration that benefits both companies - the famous "Bellini" cocktail/aperitif uses peaches supplied by Orogel Fresco. At the beginning of August, dozens of bins of Maria Bianca peaches were shipped to Canella Azienda Vinicola from the Orogel Fresco facility in Forlimpopoli.
Maria Bianca, aromatic peaches with high Brix levels
"We have been supplying white peaches to Canella for almost thirty years. It is a great opportunity for our producers, as contracts are stipulated at the beginning of the year, so the price per kg is established beforehand. It is not easy to grow white peaches, especially since Canella needs healthy aromatic peaches with a high Brix level," explains Orogel Fresco director Mauro Battistini.
Mauro Battistini (left) and Lorenzo Canella.
Lorenzo Canella, son of founder Luciano, witnessed the shipment of the peaches. "My father started producing and bottling Bellini in 1988. It is a Prosecco based cocktail to which we add Maria Bianca peach juice. We chose this peach variety because of the colour of its flesh and its aroma." The company was established right after the Second World War and immediately stood out thanks to its high-quality wines.
'Bellini' was named after a Venetian painter who lived in the 16th century and favoured a pink colour similar to that of the cocktail. This year, Canella expects to use around 400 tons of peaches. The cocktail contains 25% of peach pulp, which makes it the 'healthiest' aperitif with the lowest calories.
"We do not add sugar, that is why we need perfectly ripe peaches. We check that there is no under-ripe fruit, as it would compromise the final result. In addition, the peel must be perfect to achieve an even colour with no black spots."
Bellini must be consumed at 4-5°C and served in flutes. "Harvesting is carried out at different times and the most important parameter is the Brix level. This batch has 12.7° Brix on average and an excellent sugar content. Canella needs ripe peaches, which is perfect for us because we can produce up to 50 tons per hectare."