 |
| |
Elegance, harmony, complexity, emotion. A great wine is the result of the synergy of these crucial factors.
The soil
Tortonian soil, developed in the Tertiary era, is mainly composed of quartz, mica, chlorite and feldspars alternated or blended with marl and lime. Barbaresco can be distinguished by a fine granulometry, due to telluric movements of the earth's crust. Castiglione Falletto, a village in the hearth of Barolo area, shows a more sandy structure due to disintegration of the rocks. The soil of all mentioned areas is very rich of microelements.
Old vineyards
As our ancestors we assert how it is important to have very old vineyards that assure low production and high quality. Most of our vineyards are composed of vines planted from 1937 to 1955. The root systems of the old vines can reach 10 meters and more below the ground and they can use the microelements of the earth to create wines of this area even in difficult years. When the plant is 40-50 years old we do not need any longer the green harvest (removal of immature grape bunches) and just then the vine reaches the top balance improving in product quality. That's why our Riserva wines are exclusively produced from vines of at least 50 years.
Microclimate
Langhe area has a continental climate tempered by the Tanaro river. The different exposures and altitudes of the hills produce a wide range of results. In the course of our history we purchased only estates with important exposures (S; SE, SW), which are essential for a correct ripening of grapes.
Barbaresco: 230m above sea-level
Castiglione Falletto: 400m above sea-level
Vine
The Nebbiolo grape is autochthonous, that is, it is native to these hills. Historic signs dating back to 1200 confirm how old and deep-rooted this vine is. Thanks to a document found in Barolo area, we learnt that this grape was called Nebiul in 1511. The etymology of its name comes from the fogs (fog in Italian is nebbia) that shroud the landscape during the harvest period in October.
The work of the man
The excellence of a wine results from the synergy between vineyard and winery. The link between these two factors is the man that gives through his careful work the noblest expression of the grape to the wine.
|
|
|
|
