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

Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda

Garganega

Dry white wine with native Veneto grape Garganega. Originating from hilly vineyards situated in morenic soil around Verona in the Veneto region, Garganega is an example of an original native wine with a fairly strong structure and interesting aroma notes. With moderate acidity, the wine does well exactly in this part of Italy, in the provinces of Verona, Vicenza, Padua. The name „Dogana Veneta” (Venetian Border) relates to a famous building erected in the Venetian Republic times in the town of Lazise at Lake Garda, pointing border between Lombardy and Veneto.

Color: straw-yellow.
Aroma: intense, fruity, notes, notes of orange blossom, pineapple, apricot.
Flavor: full, harmonious, fresh.
Food matching: excellent with vegetable pasta sauces, fish, white meats.
Serving temperature: 12°/14°C.
Alcohol content: 12,5%

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%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Laudana Nizza Barbera d’Asti Superiore

A dry red wine of the autochthonous Barbera d‘Asti grape variety of Piedmont. The grapes were sellected from the vineyards located in the Barbera d‘Asti DOC Nizza subzone. The vineyards are situated in the hills, open to sun, on lime-sandy soils. Laudana is the name of vineyards yielding ripe grapes from which is made this fine wine. Moreover, the zone is considered by the local growers as the best grapegrowing area of Barbera. The harvest is done manually. After ten days of fermentation of grape juice in contact with the skins, part of the fresh wine goes to large wooden casks with a capacity of 750 litres and part to barriques. After 18 months of ageing in wood and next in the bottle, this Laudana wine is ready to drink

Color: ruby red becoming crimson.
Aroma: intensive, ethereal, slightly spicy with notes of delicately expressed wood.
Flavor: velvety, long lasting in the mouth.
Food matching: dishes based on red, grilled and stewed meats; dishes based on mashroom; game; seasoned, blue, spicy cheeses.
Serving temperature: 18C

Cantina Colli Euganei

Fior d’Arancio Colli Euganei Spumante Dolce

A sweet white sparkling wine with Moscato Giallo (Yellow Moscato). The only wine in the whole zone belonging to DOCG category. Naturally sweet wine with a beautiful name, Fior d’Arancio (Orange Blossom). Like other wines made from aromatic grape Moscato it is naturally sweet and has beautiful aromas, namely of orange blossom and ripe grape bunch. Supporters of sweet wines will be satisfied, it is in the top of Italian sweet wines. More famous locally than internationally, however awarded in many famous wine competitions like Decanter World Award and Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. Piedmonte boast of Moscato d’Asti, while Venetians savour their “Orange Blossom”.

Color: straw yellow with goldish hues.
Perlage: fine, numerous, persistent.
Aroma: aromatic, intense, notes of orange blossom and ripe grapes.
Flavor: fresh, crisp, very pleasant.
Food matching: deserts with orange, cakes and crispy cakes, cheesecake with peach.
Serving temperature: 6°C.

Vigne Sannite

Barbera del Sannio

Dry red wine of Campanian native grape called Barbera del Sannio. It comes from vineyards located in the hill areas in the surroundings of Castelvenere, in the province of Benevento in the north-eastern part of the region. Usually associated with Piedmont, Barbera, cultivated here since two centuries, is, however, a different wine with other character than its cousin from the north. The local winegrowers proudly claim that their Barbera is much better. Indeed, is worth tasting to appreciate this pleasant wine scenting of fruit.

Color: intense ruby red.
Aroma: floral and fruity, notes of cherry and dried rose petals.
Flavor: dry, warm, velvety.
Food matching: perfect throughout the meal, dishes based on highly flavored white meats.
Serving temperature: 18°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Azienda Agricola Luigi Giordano

Barbaresco Asili

Barbaresco from the youngest vineyard of our producer called Asili, located in the town of Barbaresco on the south-eastern slopes. Like the other varieties of this wine Barbaresco Asili too is characterized by a beautiful color and wonderful fruity - spicy bouquet. Certainly, the youngest vineyard, planted in 2000 will in time produce great wines, because the year 2007 confirms the potential of this place. Barbaresco is an elegant wine on special occasions. Ideal for dishes based on meats. The wine has a deep burgundy color and glossy, besides the aroma notes mentioning cherries, red fruit jam, violet, rose, delicate spices.

Color: intensely deep red, brilliant, in time tending orange.
Aroma: notes of cherries, preserves of red fruit, violet, rose, delicate notes of spices, resin.
Flavor: dry, full, aristocratic.
Food matching: pasta stuffed with meat, venison roasts, red meats, stewed meats.
Serving temperature: 16°/18°C in large burgundy glasses.
Alcohol content: 13.5%

Fratelli Bortolin

Cartizze Dry Prosecco Superiore

A dry white sparkling wine made from native Veneto grape Glera. The Conegliano-Valdobbiadene appellation has 5 000 ha altogether, but only 106 ha belongs to the Cartizze subzone. Thanks to the unique microclima and morenic-clayey soil with sandy layers this excellent subzone yields a unique Prosecco, mild, aromatic and exquisite. To highlight its rich aromas and flavors it’s made in the Dry style, with the sugar content up to 22 gr./l.

Color: straw yellow, shimmering.

Perlage: fine, numerous.

Aroma: fruity notes, apple, pink grapefruit, acacia blossom, wisteria, rose.

Flavor: fresh, harmonious, mild, long lingering aftertaste.

Food matching: perfect as an aperitif, and also as an elegant accompaniment with dessert or fruit cakes.

Serving temperature: 8°/10°C

Alcohol content: 11%.

Azienda Agricola Luigi Giordano

Roero Arneis

Dry white wine of native Piedmont grape Arneis. This is one of the best white wines of Piedmont, which comes from the left bank of the river Tanaro, Roero zone. Our supplier buys grapes in the town of Castagnito and then vinifies them in its own cellars. In the Piedmontese dialect Arneis is fractious and unruly character. Similarly, this wine tastes - is expressed, strong and distinctive.

Color: straw yellow with greenish hues.
Aroma: notes of lemon, nut and pineapple.
Flavor: dry, fresh, full
Food matching: starters based on fish or cured meats, with delicate first courses, grilled white meats, pizza.
Serving temperature: 10°/12°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Cantina Colonnella

Clivis Trebbiano di Abbruzzo

A dry white wine of Trebbiano di Abruzzo with a small addition of Passerina and Chardonnay. The Trebbiano is a white grape variety, popular all over Italy, naturalized in the northern as well as central and southern part of the country. Easily thrives in various climate conditions and gives many grapes. Depending on the method of vineyard cultivation it delivers a very good wine like Venetian Soave and Lugana. Trebbiano di Abruzzo is also an example of quality wine. The grape is well naturalized in hillside vineyards reaching 500 meters above sea level and gives well-structured and aromatic wines.

Color: straw yellow with greenish reflections.
Aroma: rich, long lasting, notes of citrus and tropical fruit.
Flavor: crisp, fresh, mineral.
Food matching: excellent with fish-based dishes, boiled and raw vegetables.
Serving temperature: 10°/12°C.
Alcohol content: 12%.

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%.

Terroir or a way to make good wines

Terroir
or a way to make good wines