The October selections - discovering the reds of Sicily, Tuscany, Trentino

Step #7

Led by Lorena Lancia (best FISAR sommelier 2016!) , October 2018

Vivera - Sicily

This is a young company, if you consider that its first bottling was in 2008. I met Loredana Vivera and her parents during a tasting and I was immediately struck by their wines and by the determined and passionate personality of the women of the family. The winery is located in Linguaglossa in the Martinella district, at 600 meters above sea level on the north-eastern side of Etna. Here, in 2002, Nino Vivera purchased 12 hectares of land, an area that might have appeared ungrateful, dominated as it was by shrubs, brambles and stones... The great reclamation work has instead made this very rich 250 meter deep lava soil cultivable, the result of the accumulation of many different eruptive materials, perfect for the cultivation of vines. Here, as in Corleone where Vivera cultivates another 35 hectares of vines, constant ventilation removes humidity and allows the vines to grow in a healthy environment, ideal for organic cultivation.

Piccaratico Farm - Tuscany

We are in Vinci in the Chianti area. Among the unfolding of undulating hills - in a gentle landscape, where the only straight lines are those of the cypresses - there are the vineyards of the Piccaratico farm, owned by the Rossini family since the beginning of the nineteenth century. In 2004 Eleonora - sixth generation of producers - took the reins of the company and with determination began to manage the 7 hectares of vineyards, planted with Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino, Cabernet Sauvignon, Trebbiano and Malvasia. Fattoria Piccaratico produces around 30,000 bottles a year, a small and precious production divided into 5 labels, which should become 7 as early as next year.

Marco Donati - Trentino Alto Adige

This family-run company started making wine more than 150 years ago and today, with Marco, the property has reached 22 hectares of vines and produces around 100,000 bottles a year. The heart of the company is in the Piana Rotaliana in Mezzocorona (TN), where old teroldego and lagrein pergolas are grown on alluvial soils rich in porphyry and clay. Marco's commitment joins that of his daughter Elisabetta (the sixth generation of producers) to ensure that each wine is unique: "being and becoming reside in wine, one sip will never be the same as another, each bottle contains a story to tell to those who know how to taste it.” There are two labels that I propose to you, both from the 2016 harvest because this vintage benefited from an excellent sugar content and boasts an extraordinary level of quality.

The selected wines

EXPERT BOX

Martinella Etna Rosso DOC 2013 - Vivera Nerello Cappuccino and Nerello Mascalese together, grown between the sea and the mountains, are able to express unique grace and elegance in this Etna Rosso. The 12 months spent in barrique give pleasant smoky notes that slowly fade away giving way to hints of spices and red fruits. The mouth reveals a velvety tannicity and an inebriating freshness for lovers of wines with long aging. The sip, harmonious and sinuous, reveals the personality of this wine and recalls the suggestions of volcanic magma. Able to fascinate at any moment of its life, try it now to get to know it or wait a few years to appreciate all its potential... The Vivera family recommends pairing it with tuna tartare or fish soup but also with lentils with bacon or tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms. Rosso del Rinserrato Toscana Rosso IGT 2013 – Fattoria Piccaratico Intense ruby red with garnet reflections. It is a blend of the native Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo vines, carefully selected and harvested by hand. This wine has been in barrique for 12 months! The cap already smells of a sweet and persuasive blackberry which we find in the glass together with black pepper, cherries in alcohol (do you remember those contained in the white and blue Fabbri container?), crunchy green pepper and even freshly cut grass... The sip is round, full, fresh and the tannin tightens the gums and glues the tongue to the palate. Once swallowed, all the aromas return to the nose. Pair it with roast meat, game, polenta with ragù or braised meat. Lagrein Rubino Trentino DOC 2016 – Marco Donati Brilliant ruby red. The Teroldego and Lagrein grapes come from the Mezzocorona vineyards and are aged in French barriques for a few months. It smells of blackberry, morello cherry and vanilla; in the mouth it is fresh, elegant and at the same time full-bodied. If kept for more than five years it evolves and gives new emotions. Accompany it with roasts and white meat sauces but also with medium-aged cheeses!

ENTHUSIAST BOX

Land of dreams Terre Siciliane IGT 2015 – Vivera The charm, here, begins with the name: it is a wine dreamed up by the Vivera family, cultivated and created to arouse wonder. Terra dei Sogni was born in Corleone, from alluvial clay soils and is made with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Nerello Cappuccino grapes. The intense fruit reveals elegant and fine aromas that are enriched with spicy and undergrowth scents. The sip is fresh and balanced embellished with softened tannins. A pleasantness, that of Land of Dreams, of total satisfaction that must be enjoyed: don't let it refine for too long! We recommend it with macaroni with meat sauce, but also with roast beef, sausage or mature cheese. Colle De' Fossili Chianti DOCG 2014 – Fattoria Piccaratico Of a beautiful ruby red, it is obtained from a selection of hand-picked Sangiovese, Colorino and Canaiolo grapes. On the nose there is immediately a hint of the more spirited Chianti, then it reveals the scent of chocolate, which becomes a deep iodine note, combined with plum pulp. In the mouth it is round and the freshness of the tannin present and a little rough opens up to a finish that tastes of cinchona and red fruit. Pleasant, balanced, persistent. Traditionally, it should be accompanied by Florentine steak! Situla Rosso Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT 2016 – Marco Donati Bright ruby red. It is a blend of Teroldego and Lagrein from the Mezzocorona vineyards combined with Marzemino grown in Marco di Rovereto. On the nose it is pleasant and fruity, with flavors of blueberry, raspberry, strawberry and morello cherry. The palate is fresh and has velvety tannins. It is pleasant if drunk in the vintage but keeps very well for 2/3 years. Also perfect between meals (with some appetizers!), it is particularly suitable with cured meats and cheeses, appetizers and first courses, and not excessively tasty meats.

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