Anna Fendi discusses her stylishly spirited wine collection
Inspired by the diverse flavours of Italy, the fashion mogul and entrepreneur has released a selection of 26 handpicked bottles
The idea behind the Anna Fendi wine collection came into being while travelling around Italy with my husband, enjoying the great food and drink produced in the country. I thought: "Why don't we do something together that combines your passion – wine – with my desire to create something new?" It is the first time we've collaborated professionally, so for me the business has a very personal and intimate value.
My main goal was to highlight the breadth of Italian wine and I've brought together a handpicked selection of 26 bottles that reflect the variety of tastes and flavours across the regions. I focused on table wines rather than collectors' items because I wanted to create an experience that would bring family around the table and be enjoyed.
We sought out small producers that could guarantee a very traditional approach. Within the collection we have 11 reds, nine whites, one rose, three sparkling and two spirits and it was important every bottle bore the name of the producer. We have since created special suitcases designed to carry the wine, made in a combination of cashmere and suede, with space for beautiful Murano glassware, part of the Anna Fendi tabletop collection, among other complementary items.
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My favourite red wine is Cat's Walk Nero d'Avola – I am probably biased, because I have a particular love of Sicily. For white, I like the fruity flavour of Spina di Pesce Soave; it's very light and is also the only biological wine in the selection.
I've worked in fashion my entire life, so I know it better than the wine world, but I have the same enthusiasm and devotion to both. What I am looking for most is beauty. Fashion is something that belongs to our daily life; it's not only about the clothes but what makes you feel happy and this is something I also want to achieve through the wines.
Just as in fashion, in every single bottle you can see the method and passion because producers spend their entire lives finding ways to make their product better. I understood from the beginning the effort, skills and organisation needed to make a good wine and for this reason, I decided not to become a producer myself, but to put together a collection that I hope can represent Italian wines to their fullest.
ANNA FENDI is an Italian fashion designer and entrepreneur who, along with her sisters Alda, Carla, Franca and Paola, made the Fendi brand famous across the globe. She has since applied her creative talents to industries as diverse as hospitality, homeware and, most recently, wine. Anna Fendi wine is available from Hedonism, starting at £26.10 per bottle; hedonism.co.uk; annafendi.com
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