Terroir
or a way to make good wines

Terroir is a French term meaning a set of factors linked with territory, climate and activity of man, influencing the cultivation of vineyard.
The following division of these factors can be done:

- appropriate selection of grape variety
- area: exposition to sun, landform, soil type, division of zones
- climate: wind, humidity, temperature
- man activity: plant trimming, fertilization, cultivation system

According to a scientific theory hilly and mountainous areas give better grapes than plains. During the year a vineyard needs about 20 000 lux and the annual medium temperature should not be lower than 10°C, while the summer medium temperature is around 20°C and the winter around -1°C. The quality of wine also results from the soil on which grown vines. Without going into detail of geological features of give areas, it can be said that:

- sandy soil give delicate and soft wines with a light color and body
- calcareous soils give strong and very aromatic wines
- rocky soils give high quality wines of high alcohol level
- clayey soils give long-lived, full-bodied wines with high acidity

Featured Italian Wines

Aldo Rainoldi

Sfursat di Valtellina

Dry red wine made from Nebbiolo grape. The finest wine from Valtellina, called Sfursat, which in Italian means strengthened as it has great depth and power. These features thanks to a special technique of drying the grapes in properly ventilated rooms. The grapes remain there until December following the harvest, to concentrate the maximum sugars and aromas. It‘s really excellent wine aged for nearly two years in large French oak barrels and then in the bottle. Sfursat is a wine for special occasions, excellent on lamb.

Color: burgundy, deep.
Aroma: intense, spicy notes of coffee, cocoa, roasted nuts, dried grapes.
Flavor: warm, velvety and harmonious.
Food matching: ideal for red meats, game, lamb and seasoned cheeses.
Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.
open the bottle an hour before serving and serve in large glasses.
Alcohol content: 14%

Azienda Agricola Virna di Borgogno Virna

Barolo del Comune di Barolo

A dry red wine made from native Piedmont grape Nebbiolo, from Lampia and Michet varieties. Another Barolo, but this time from a smaller appellation limited to around the town of Barolo, these are vineyards of Preda and part of the Sarmassa zone. Preda consist of soils formed by sandstones, while Sarmassa is mostly of limy-clayey soils with the addition of loams. These two different types of soils, on which the vineyards are situated, have an impact on the wine that is produced. Barolo del Comune di Barolo is a wine with great balance and harmony, fresh and with a beautiful aroma, powerful and with great potential. It can be freely drunk two or three years after bottling, you will be surprised by its charm. Aged for 18 months in French oak 500-litres casks.

Color: intense ruby red.
Aroma: full, intense, well pronounced notes of red fruits, oak and vanilla.
Flavor: rich, harmonious, intense fruit and balanced tannins.
Food Matching: ideal for dishes on the base of meat, excellent with beef steaks, long seasoned chesses.
Serving temperature: 17°/18°C in large glasses like Burgundy.
Alcohol content: 14,5%.

Azienda Agricola La Torre

Brunello di Montalcino

A dry red wine of the indigenous Sangiovese Grosso grape variety. Brunello is one of the most famous wines of Tuscany. Its recipe was developed in the nineteenth century, and according to this formula the wine has to mature for 4 months before going on sale. The vineyards of our supplier, Luigi Anania, are situated in the southern slopes, well sunned and properly ventilated, in the surrounding area of Montalcino. The wine was aged in oak barrels for 42 months. Brunello is an elegant and demanding wine. Its bottle must be open at least a few hours before serving to bring out a wealth of aromas and flavors.

Color: burgundy, orange reflections over time.
Aroma: notes litter forest preserves of red fruit, black pepper, cinnamon.
Flavor: velvety, harmonious and elegant.
Food matching: to red meats, roast meat, venison, seasoned cheeses.
Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Aldo Rainoldi

Valtellina Superiore Inferno Riserva

Dry red wine made from Nebbiolo grape. This is a riserva of the Valtellina Superiore version, obtained from the best vineyards in the Inferno subzone, the most rocky of all denominations belonging to the Valtellina Superiore. Aged for 15 months in small French oak barrels, and for almost two years in the bottle. A wine with a great structure and power, ideal for dishes based on meat.

Color: red ruby.

Aroma: delicate, complex, fruity, spicy, toasted wood.

Flavor: velvety, harmonious.

Food matching: for red meats and venison, seasoned cheeses.

Serving temperature: 16°/18°C.

Serve in large glasses.

Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Casa Maschito

Portale Adduca

A dry red wine Basilicata’s native grape, Aglianico del Vulture. The foothills of an extinct volcano are characterized by rich soils . The area around the volcano is surrounded by vineyards planted with Aglianico. This ancient grape variety, probably originating in Greece, gives great wine called also Barolo of the south. Nebbiolo and Aglianico are certainly two different wines, but their common characteristics consist in ageing ability and extraordinary richness of aromas and flavors enhancing best as it ages. Portale Aduca is an excellent example of quality of great Aglianico. Vineyards are situated between 450 and 600 meters above sea level in the classic zone around the town of Maschito near to Venosa. Thanks to the hand-set of grapes, their careful selection and ageing for 12 months in 500l oak barrels this wine delights by color, aromas and rich structure. Adduca is the name of a rich family once lived in Maschito.

Color: ruby red with burgundy reflections, shimmering.

Aroma: complex, rich, notes of sour cherry jam, cacao, pepper.

Flavor: fresh, mineral with subtly marked tannins.

Food matching: perfect with light appetizers, charcuterie; a great match with veal scallops in delicate sauce.

Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.

Alcohol content: 14,5%.

Vigne Sannite

Agostinella

Dry white wine of Campanian indigenous grape called Agostinella. Comes from vineyards located in the province of Benevento, in the north-eastern part of the region. No doubt this is an oenological curiosity on the wine map of Italy. This ancient grape variety has always been known to owners of vineyards located in the surroundings of Benevento and Castelvenere, but completely unknown for a wide mass of wine lovers. Only during the last few years was popularized and became a focus for ampelographers - experts in the field of origin and classification of grape varieties. Agostinella is a wine with rich aroma notes, soft and very pleasant to the palate.

Color: straw yellow with goldish reflections.
Aroma: complex, notes of ripe pear and white peach.
Flavor: soft, fresh.
Food matching: excellent with highly flavored dishes, white roast meats and oven-baked fish.
Serving temperature: 12°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Tenuta Scuotto

Campania Aglianico

A dry red wine made of native Campania grape Aglianico. It’s a variety called Aglianico of Taurasi, a noble clone of the grape naturalized in the zone of Irpinia. Depending on the growing zone this ancient grape of Greek origin gives wine with very intense color and flavor. The producer’s basic version of Aglianico comes from vineyards situated 400m above sea level and is harvested in the mid of October. Not aged in wood, thus intense aromas of fresh fruit, very warm and gentle flavors. Excellent with food, best paired with meat dishes, especially grilled meat.

Color: intense ruby red.

Aroma: intense fruit, notes of black currant, black berry, black fruit jam.

Flavor: dry, warm, rounded, fresh.

Food matching: excellent with meat dishes, roast and grilled meats.

Serving temperature: 16°/18°C

Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Valamasca Moscato di Asti

A sweet white dessert lightly sparkling wine of the native grape of Piemonte, Moscato Bianco. This aromatic grape, dominating in Piemonte, and exactly in the Province of Asti, of the Moscato Bianco variety - White Moscato is also called nectar of the Gods, because of its sweetness. The wine produced from this vine is known throughout the world, also in Spumante version. Valamasca is a valley where is cultivated Moscato d‘Asti and an accurate translation of the name is Valle delle Masche what in the Piemontese dialect means valley of ghosts. This wine includes all aromas of the Moscato grape - orange blossom, sage, peach. It can be drunk any time of the day, whatever the occasion.

Color: straw yellow, brilliant.
Aroma: orange blossom, sage, peach, ripe grapes.
Flavor: noticeable notes of sage, white peach, rose and orange blossom.
Food matching: perfect for desserts, all kinds of cakes and cookies, fruit in syrup, perfect with a mature and sweet peach.
Serving temperature: 8°/10°C.
Alcohol content: 5.5%.

Azienda Vitivinicola Ornella Bellia

Cabernet Franc

Dry red wine with Cabernet Franc. This French grape variety is popular in the whole region of Veneto, also Ornelia has grown her vineayards in the surroundings of Pramaggiore with it. Vinified only in stainless steel tanks, the wine is light and gently fruity, goes well with every dish, best with meats.

Color: vivid red with violet hues.
Aroma: intense, notes of red fruits.
Flavor: dry, pleasing.
Food Matching: with dishes based on meats, roasted meats, poultry.
Serving temperature: 14%.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Muri-Gries Cantina Convento

Chardonnay

Dry white wine of Chardonnay. It comes from the Appiano zone near Bolzano characterized by a richness of hill-side vineyards situated 420-500 meters above sea level. This international grape variety is often associated with barrel-aged wines, scenting and reminding of dull vanilla. Muri Gries' Chardonnay differs radically from these aged in wood. This is crystal clear, with aromas of exotic fruits, citrus and with delicate note of dry hay.

Elegant and fresh.

Color: intense straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Aroma: fruity, notes of banana, citrus and dried hay.
Flavor: full, rich, fresh.
Food matching: excellent with lasagna with spinach and ricotta, delicate pasta sauces, roast chicken breast, delicate fish.
Serving temperature: 12°/14°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Terroir or a way to make good wines

Terroir
or a way to make good wines