NICHE NICHE IN THE APENNINES
The Wines…
1. Bisci Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva 'Senex' 2015
High in the Apennine mountains of the Marche, Bisci is certainly one of the estates where the qualities of Verdicchio di Matelica are most valued. The vineyards were totally replanted starting from the seventies and are located at an altitude of 300-350 meters above sea level with southern exposure. The alternation of sunny days and of fresh and dry nights gives the grapes character and an extremely fine fragrance.
Grape: Verdicchio
Region: Le Marche
The Wine: 100% Verdicchio from the oldest vines (forty years, planted 1978) in the Fogliano vineyard. Grapes are picked with the highest possible acidity while attaining phenolic ripeness. Fermentation in glass-lined cement tanks, followed by 48 months on the lees in tank and another 9 months in bottle before release.
2. Tenuta di Fiorano, Lazio Bianco 2015
Located just a few kilometers from the center of Rome, Italy’s historic Tenuta di Fiorano resides between the Appian Way and the slopes of the Alban Hills. As a pioneer of organic viticulture in the mid-twentieth century, Fiorano continues the family traditions today. The Tenuta di Fiorano estate is now owned by Prince Alessandrojacopo Boncompagna Ludovisi, who grew up on the property and was taught by his uncle, Prince Alberico, who passed away in 2005. There is such a cool backstory to the wines, click here to read an article about it.
Grape: Grechetto / Viognier
Region: Lazio
The Wine: Fermented spontaneously, then aged 12-18 months in 10 hL oak and chestnut barrels.
3. Luigi Tecce, Taurasi Poliphemo 2014
Luigi Tecce is clearly amongst the very finest, if not the finest, winemakers in Taurasi today many would go as far as calling him "the Prince of Taurasi." Taurasi is one of Italy's most historic volcanic growing regions, with its winemaking origins going back to Greco-Roman times, as long ago as 800BC. Tecce is one of the great traditionalists in the region, forgoing the over-oaked and over-extracted fashion of Taurasi wines from the 80s and 90s for wines of powerful elegance. The grapes grow in the high-altitude Sud-Alta Valle commune of Taurasi, on complex soil layerings of sand, limestone and Vesuvian pumice.
Grape: Aglianico
Region: Campania
The Wine: This is Tecce's highest level cru from his oldest, 75 year old vines. Grapes are hand harvested. Fermentation is spontaneous and takes 40 days in open chestnut barrels. Aged 12 months in tonneau, 12 months in 50 hectoliter botti grandi, 12 months in stainless steel, minimum 15 months in bottle (minimum 24 months in bottles starting with the 2014 vintage).
4. Storchi Pozzoferrato Reggiano Rosso Frizzante
The Storchi family has been producing wine since the end of WWll and the cellar was refurbished in 2001. Pozzoferrato is the ancient name of the district where the Storchi winery is located, in the Montecchio Emilia zone in Emilia Romagna. Vineyards are to be found along the Enza river, at the feet of its surrounding hills at an altitude of 150 meters. The earth is typically alluvial, rich in clay and limestone, with a high degree of gravel in its substrates, which provides excellent rain-water drainage. The proximity of the river and its hills creates a microclimate perfectly suited to the cultivation of grapes: significant thermal shifts between day and night, and constant breezes during the day. The high levels of magnesium and limestone in the soil give the wines a noticeable bouquet, while the presence of so much clay gives the grapes high concentrations of sweetness and aroma.
Grapes: Ancellotta, Lambrusco Maestri, Lambrusco Salamino
Region: Emilia-Romagna
The Wine: A méthode champenoise, wild yeast-fermented 'frizzante' made organically. No herbicides, pesticides or chemical fertilizers. Hand harvested. Extremely low yields (it takes 1 1/2 vines to produce one bottle!) A single-vineyard wine.
