The Owl, The Fox and The Lion – The Animals of Sparkling Wine

When it comes to the symbols that represent wineries, some choose to proudly show an animal on their labels and even embed them on their bottles.

The Owl, The Fox and The Lion in this article represent, Montelvini, Fox & Fox and Frelih, an Italian, English and Slovenian Sparkling Wine.

Learn a little about the animal and the winery along with the tasting notes of one of their fine bottles of bubbly.

The Owl

A silent nocturnal hunter, the Owl is able to turn their head 180 degrees and can see remarkably in the dark, but they can not turn their eyes, to look at something that’s not straight ahead of them, they need to turn their heads.

They swallow their prey whole and regurgitate anything they can not digest like fur, bones and claws. They are also caring parents, taking care of their young (owlet) for weeks or months before they are ready to fly the nest. A group of owls is called a ‘parliament’. They hunt small mammals, insects and other birds, with a few species specializing in hunting fish.

Montelvini

Montelvini has been around for 135 years, owned by the Serena family, the current owner, Armando Serena has been President of Montelvini since 1968, located in a small region in Montello in Italy, the Serena family has dedicated themselves to producing wine with skill and passion.

Montelvini – Serenitatis Asolo Prosecco Superiore Brut Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Almost ripe green pears and yellow apple aromas.”

Flavours – “Sweet fruit flavours, golden apples and pears on the palate.”

This Prosecco Won a Gold Medal in the Light & Fruit Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2020.

The Fox

Female Foxes are known as Vixens and male Foxes are known as dogs, tods or reynards. When baby Foxes, also known as pups or cubs are born, they cannot see, it takes 10 to 14 days for them to open their eyes and take in the world around them, they’ll remain within the safety of their den for up to 2 months, after this time they will start to explore their surroundings while still be looked after by their parents.

Fox & Fox

Using both the animal and the name, Fox & Fox proudly create some of the best English Sparkling Wine with them taking home 4 Trophies on the trot.

2017 – Love or Hate: Fox & Fox – Expression Saignee Rose 2013

2018 – Fireworks: Fox & Fox – Tradition

2019 – Gastronomic: Fox & Fox – Midnight Dark Dry Rosé Brut 2011

2020 – Winter Warmer: Fox & Fox – Expression Rosé 2014

Jonica Fox and her husband Gerard Fox planted their first vine in 2004, it was Gerard that inspired Jonica to get into the fizz business after he tasted some English Sparkling Wine at an event in London in 2003 and by 2009 they had started producing their own Sparkling Wine.

As well as offering enjoyable Sparkling Wine, Fox & Fox also offer bespoke wine tastings, either hosted by Jonica or Gerard, it’s perfect for any group of friends or even a birthday party, if you would like to find out more, just click here.

Fox & Fox Mosaic 2015 Brut Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Toasty, honeysuckle and pear on the aroma.”

Flavours – “English country garden, including Cox’s apples, honey, freshly cut grass and orchard fruits.”

This English Sparkling Wine Won a Gold Medal Winner in the Classic & Elegant Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2020.

Good acidity. All flavours mixed from typical English country garden from red currents to nettles. A delight of elegance in the palate yet classy enough to offer a creamy finish.”

The Lion

This fierce killing machine is more of a nocturnal animal, sleeping mostly throughout the day and hunting during the night. Similar to wolves, lions also live together and will hunt together in a pride, prides are a group of lions that may comprise from 2 to 40 lions—including up to three or four males, around a dozen females and their young.

If you hear a lion roar, you can be sure that they are within 5 miles of your location. The lionesses are the main hunters in the pride with them taking in 90% of all kills. Lions will also spend between 16 and 20 hours a day asleep and can go 4 days without drinking water.

Frelih

Jožef Frelih is the man who created Frelih, the Slovenian Winery with a label you won’t soon forget, it all began in 1892 when he moved to Šentrupert in Slovenia, they offer award winning Sparkling Wines.

Vinska klet Frelih – Brut Tasting Notes

Aroma – “Hints of honeydew melon, ripe green fruits and honeysuckle on the aroma.”

Flavours – “Rounded green citrus on the palate.”

This Slovenian Sparkling Wine Won a Bronze Medal in the Zesty & Zingy Category at The World’s Finest Glass of Bubbly Awards 2020.