The Masseto wine from Tuscany is the first Italian wine to be distributed via the Bordeaux marketplace.

As a premiere for Italian wines, a part of the 2006 vintage of Masseto will be distributed via Bordeaux wine merchants. One fifth of the production, around 6.000 bottles, is available via five négociants in Bordeaux; the wine will be released in October 2009. This is the first time that producer Tenuta dell'Ornellaia has deviated from its usual distirbution paths with its flagship Merlot wine. The comment from Tuscany was that the move is designed to enhance Masseto's profile. (WF)