September Wine Box: altitude wines
Stage 42, dedicated to altitude wines
Le Rose Agricultural Company , Genzano di Roma (RM)
The company was founded in 2003 in the small town of Genzano di Roma, with a simple and decisive belief: to bring the quality of a territory into the bottle, without distorting the rhythms of nature and the vine. Located in the countryside of Velletri, 480 meters above sea level, among the hills of the Castelli Romani, the company aims to promote the local native and historic vines, without disdaining the grafting of new vines. Family-run, all the work is carried out in the company with passion, sweat and dedication, in an organic agronomic regime, according to a green policy in the vineyard and in the cellar.
The company also offers reception services for visitors and guided tastings to help you fully appreciate their "philosophy", not only of work, but also of life.
Grosjean , Quart (AO)
A point of reference for viticulture throughout the Aosta Valley, the one led by Vincent Grosjean is a reality capable of telling the secrets of a region that deserves more attention for the quality it is able to express.
The Grosjean family, in fact, works the land - the wonderful land of the Aosta Valley - with passion and dedication. Native grapes are preferred, with total respect for traditions. They grow organically with great commitment. Their wines are sincere and denote a deep territorial and historical attachment that truly thrills when tasted. If you pass by, enjoy the guided cellar visits and tastings.
Currently in organic conversion, every intervention is deeply linked to respect for the surrounding environment, Grosjean vinifies only the most traditional varieties: from Muscat to Petite Arvine, from Petit Rouge to Fumin up to Pinot Noir. Theirs are fresh, precise, elegant and multifaceted wines. Wines with a longevity that is in some ways unexpected: all of them, from whites to reds, are in fact wines that will be able to evolve magnificently with the passing of the seasons
Villa Spinosa , Negrar di Valpolicella (VR)
Villa Spinosa was founded in 1990 and is a magnificent company based in Negrar, at the foot of the Masua hill - the heart of the Valpolicella Classica, an area that has always been dominated by the cultivation of vines and olive trees, which finds one of the best in Amarone della Valpolicella representatives of the territory. Enrico Cascella Spinosa, the owner, with passion and determination has recovered the ancient rural environments of the estate (some dating back to the eighteenth century), transforming them into modern and efficient production spaces, where he produces the typical and iconic wines of the area. Passion and attachment to the territory are the key words of this reality which year after year improves its offer in terms of quality and uniqueness. A company that offers its guests guided tastings, visits to the vineyard and the opportunity to have a chat (and questions!) directly with the young and enthusiastic winemaker.
Claudio Cipressi , San Felice del Molise (CB)
San Felice, Campobasso, Molise. A region that is rightly and with great dedication carving out a space that rightfully deserves it in the wine world in Italy.
Claudio Cipressi brings the unique and inimitable territory of Molise in his bottles with authentic and native wines, some truly singular and "niche" such as Tintilia - the historic red grape of the territory.
The company is located in San Felice del Molise, in the province of Campobasso and the 16 hectares of vineyards are 600 meters above sea level, this allows the grapes to enjoy a temperature range capable of giving the final product unique characteristics and of great thickness.
The company is organic and works with non-invasive methods, to preserve the typicality and all the original nuances of the grapes in cultivation: Tintilia del Molise, Montepulciano, Falanghina and Trebbiano.
ENTHUSIAST BOX
Gamay, Grosjean
Produced at 700 meters above sea level.
Maceration with the skins for 5-6 days with three pumping overs per day at a controlled temperature. Refinement in steel.
Intense ruby red, already at sight it shows a not bad character, of those typical of those who are not afraid to show themselves to the world for what they are.
Clear and clean wine, the consistency is good - the arches are quite dense and in a reasonable quantity.
The perky character already glimpsed is confirmed by the sense of smell. A direct and clean nose: red dried fruit, plums, chocolate, leather. Some olfactory notes are greener than others, more muscular and impetuous.
A good intensity and surprising clarity of intent for such a young wine.
In the mouth this wine demonstrates a different character. The exuberant and lively tone of the nose leaves room for an unexpected delicacy. The wine - dry - is well balanced with light tannins, never annoying or heavy. Persistence, as well as complexity, average. Leaves an extremely clean and fresh mouth.
The wine is quite harmonious between softness and hardness.
This Gamay has not yet reached full maturity. The characteristics, acidity and structure for excellent bottle refinement are there. It is recommended to drink it within 2/3 years to appreciate its more mature notes.
Perfect with first courses with not too heavy cheese sauces, bean soups and not overly seasoned meats. Taste at 16° C, fresh but without exaggerating: there is a subtle balance to maintain to be able to grasp all the nuances of this Gamay.
Lazio Organic White, Le Rose
Verdicchio 60%, Bombino 20%, Grechetto 20%, grown in the hills of the Castelli Romani facing the sea.
We are in Lazio, a region that has been able to distinguish itself with wines such as Cannellino di Frascati or Cesanese del Piglio, Frascati Superiore and other wines of great importance. However, these are not the only actors in the wine show of this wonderful region.
At sight, the wine is crystalline, of a greenish yellow color with shades tending towards straw. The consistency of a young wine full of life is beautiful. It does not have any type of defect.
On the nose, with a still glass: medium intense and complex, of elegant and fine quality. Swirling the glass brings hints of fresh flowers and a light note of chives, a minerality that invites tasting and stimulates the senses.
On the palate: a dry wine, which is extremely pleasant to drink and with a softness well balanced with hardness. The drink is fresh without becoming acidic, the minerality perceived on the nose is also found in the mouth. It is precisely this freshness-flavour play that invites you to sip again and again. It never tires your mouth. The quality of the wine is fine, without any blemishes.
A wine to drink "as it is", in its simplicity and frankness, right from the start.
It can also be tasted alone, it does not need external help to enhance its pure and sincerely good character. What if we want to combine it with something? Battered vegetables, cold rice, light dishes, with not too strong seasonings; potato gnocchi. Serve at around 13 degrees, for those who, like sommelier Francesco Bianchi, don't like too low temperatures.
Valpolicella Classico, Villa Spinosa
The vines are native to the area: Corvina Veronese and Corvinone, with a small percentage of Rondinella. Aged for 5 months in steel, 3 in the bottle.
A decidedly territorial wine, made between 230 and 423 meters above sea level.
At sight, the wine appears clear, with a bright purple-red color, without any type of suspended particles, the consistency is what is expected from such a young wine of this type. Dynamic and alive in the glass.
At first glance it is almost shy on the nose, and then opens up once the glass is swirled.
The olfactory quality is fine, including red fruits, a light note of black cherry and cloves, dried red flowers. And then some light herbaceous notes. A fresh nose that invites you to drink in an almost hypnotic way.
In the mouth the entry is of moderate intensity, the tannins are soft, the persistence is average. How well you drink though!
The alcohol content (12.5%) is almost imperceptible, making this wine an excellent companion even on hot days, despite being a red.
On the palate the youth of this wine comes through, without however ever leading to freshness understood as acidity or hardness, for a very inviting drink.
It can be drunk immediately, if you are looking for a fresh and dynamic drink. It has the acidity necessary for further evolution in the bottle but we like it as it is: frank and direct.
It goes well with dishes that are not too structured and land-based appetizers, tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and spit-roasted meats that are not too spicy. Also excellent as an "opening wine" to then scale up to wines, perhaps always from the Veneto, of greater structure and complexity. A young wine whose vitality is best appreciated when fresh, at a temperature of around 16 degrees.
EXPERT BOX
Petite Arvine, Grosjean
Italy is wonderful. In any region you can find excellence of unprecedented quality.
Grosjean's Petite Arvine “Vigne Rovettaz” is a really interesting bottle.
Produced in the Rovettaz vineyard, approximately 680 meters above sea level.
It refines for 8 months on its own yeasts: a part in steel, the remaining 30% in French oak barriques. 3 months in the bottle follow.
Organic wine from the Aosta Valley, the Independent Vignaioli label stands boldly in this gold-coloured capsule.
The native grapes, those linked to the territory, those that are not afraid to resist and show themselves are original, true, romantic. This Petite Arvine is like this: decidedly original.
At sight it has a yellow color with golden reflections, shy and very elegant. Absolutely crystal clear, it has no defects of any kind. Precise and very clean.
If you close your eyes, you can imagine those wonderful and uncontaminated lands where these "our" grapes are grown. The character emerges on the nose: an intense, almost pungent note, never aggressive. Quite complex and fine in nuances, the fruit and green apple come out forcefully. It's like biting into this juicy apple!
A light herbaceous and mineral note is released when the glass is swirled: it is exciting to discover these pure and clear characteristics within.
On the palate it is a caress from someone who loves us. He enters delicately and does so with surprising class. It drinks damn well.
A crystalline wine, a "laser", one might say. It is precise, direct and absolutely true in its intentions. A wine that is soft without being alcoholic or cloying. A balanced persistence and general harmony make it a great ambassador for this Aosta Valley grape.
Drink now or wait a couple of years as it can still grow.
It goes well with cheese-based dishes, such as fondue, or smoked fish. Why not with a cod? It is tasted at 12 degrees, to best grasp all its nuances.
Settevigne Tintilia from Molise, Claudio Cipressi
This is a truly unique bottle.
Grapes grown at 520 meters above sea level, aged in steel for 24 months, in 6 bottles.
A wine produced from 100% Tintilia grapes from Molise, a rare and almost unknown gem from Molise. The exclusivity and originality, understood as uniqueness, of this bottle are euphoric.
The wine is ICEA certified organic. At sight, it has an intense ruby red color with nuances tending towards more mature and serious notes, without any suspended particles and with a consistency worthy of a wine of great depth. An “important” wine.
On the nose then, what can I say? Frank and decisive intensity, from those who are not afraid to have their say. A spicy note prevails followed by dark fruit, dark as night: juicy plum, raspberry. A balsamic note emerges when you swirl the glass, great olfactory maturity well marked with each turn of the nose.
Fine quality and clarity of intent make this wine amazing on the nose.
On the palate the entry is firm but not awkward, with soft tannins and moderate alcohol. The wine has character, but never feels heavy on the receptors of the mouth, it does not tire it like many famous and renowned reds so appreciated in the world of sommeliers do.
The harmony is clear and the quality unquestionable, this wine is made to be drunk and loved now.
It is now at its organoleptic peak: it should be tasted without delay, at 18° C.
It goes well with tasty and spicy meat, blue cheeses, mature parmesan.
La Faiola Rosso, Azienda Agricola le Rose
The Le Rose farm knows how to amaze with its natural wines.
Pure Cesanese.
Upon visual examination it immediately appears crystalline, without any type of imperfection or suspended particle. The color is a not too intense purple red, the consistency is dynamic and lively.
A beautiful visual analysis opens the doors to an equally intriguing olfactory analysis.
A complex nose, with surprising quality and complexity for such a young wine. Juicy dark fruit, blackberry, plum. Again a light note of tobacco and red flowers, a herbaceous note.
There is a notable surprise on the palate, because the wine is shockingly pleasant and you almost forget you are drinking a red.
A very elegant entry intensity accompanied by an absolutely balanced softness makes this Cesanese a pleasure for the palate.
The elegant and well-dosed tannin transforms the sip into a pleasant moment of detachment from reality. Excellent drinkability.
On the palate a pleasant hint of dark fruit remains which slowly fades away.
The wine is harmonious and absolutely ready to be drunk.
To enhance the characteristics of this wine, pair it with veal, linguine with hare ragù but also a tasty porchetta from Ariccia. Taste at approximately 17° degrees.