Monday, December 23, 2024
HomeWineAt Costaripa in Lombardy, Rosé is Not Only a Shade, It’s a...

At Costaripa in Lombardy, Rosé is Not Only a Shade, It’s a Wine


Costaripa is a small household vineyard situated on the southwest shore of Lake Garda within the Lombardy area of Italy. At a latest digital tasting with fourth technology member Nicole Vezzola, a gaggle of journalists discovered and tasted stunning cool local weather rosé wines from this fascinating spot on this planet.  Nicole Vezzola made it clear that Costaripa is “linked to terroir and appellation, not the market or tendencies. Our rosés usually are not only a coloration, they’re a wine.” With its location in Valtenesi on the Brescia shore, it’s straightforward to grasp why.

pinot grigio costaripa

Lake Garda

The vineyard is situated in Valtenesi on hilly, morainic soils that attain from north to south between the cities of Desenzano and Salo. The local weather is tempered by Lake Garda, creating components of a Mediterranean local weather, though the placement is sort of near the Alps. With sunshine and breezes within the morning and night, a sub-Mediterranean microclimate exists. The world boasts 67 completely different soils and is perfect for producing rosé wines of Groppello Gentile, a novel number of the Valtenesi area. In truth, it’s one of many oldest indigenous grapes in northern Italy. Nicole Vezzola remarked time and again that terroir, local weather and indigenous grapes actually outline Costaripa.

Till the tasting, I used to be not accustomed to Groppello Gentile, this historic, northern Italian crimson wine that’s often blended. In accordance with Wine Grapes by Robinson, Harding and Vouillamoz (2012), one of many first mentions of Groppello Gentile was “within the sixteenth century within the space of Brescia and Bergamo as a fantastic grape whose wine was exported to Germany.” The grape is principally cultivated in Lombardy and is commonly blended with Groppello di Mocasina, Sangiovese, Marzemino or Barbera. By itself, this ruby coloured wine reveals reasonable acidity, with spice, black pepper and violet notes on the taste bud. And as a rosé wine? Groppello Gentile has discovered its place and thrives at Costaripa.

Costaripa

Mattia Vezzola, father of Nicole, is without doubt one of the most “famend and revered names on this planet of Italian winemaking.” His father, Bruno, an acclaimed winegrower in his personal proper, inspired him to pursue winemaking as a profession. After graduating in 1972 with a level in oenology from College in Conegliano, Mattia traveled to Champagne, the place he developed his ardour for glowing wines “together with a manufacturing philosophy that emphasizes the significance of crafting extraordinarily advanced, refined, elegant and equally long-lasting wines.” Reality be informed, I discovered his ardour in every wine that I tasted.

Costaripa

Photograph Credit score: Costaripa

With Nicole Vezzola as our information, the tasting centered on 4 of Costaripa’s rosé wines, two nonetheless and two glowing. Nicole defined that in response to her father, Mattia, the rosé is “an antidote to banality and issues of on a regular basis life.” Precisely. What I discovered in every wine was a pure juiciness and brightness reflecting the Mediterranean sunshine and delicate breezes with a nod to Alpine components. Dry with a spherical mouthfeel, notes of fruit, acidity and minerality helped create balanced wines that had been gorgeous on their very own in addition to with a wide range of meals. Instantly, life turned easier with each sip – thanks, Mattia!

Rosa Mara Valtenesi 2023, created within the Nineteen Eighties and named after Mattia’s mom and aunt, is a mix of fifty% Groppello Gentile, 30% Marzemino, 10% Sangiovese and 10% Barbera. Nicole shared that the Rosa Mara “is my favourite pair of denims” – it’s her anytime wine and I used to be tasted why. This prompt refresher was pale pink within the glass with aromas of spice, juicy peaches, crimson berries, black pepper and pomegranate resulting in flavors of a lot of the identical with refined tastes of almond. This wine was scrumptious with pizza one evening, but it surely might simply complement beef tartare, spaghetti and clams, and spicy fare reminiscent of that from India, Lebanon or Thailand.

costaripa

A mix of the identical grapes however with 60% Groppello Gentile and 20% Marzemino, Molmenti Valtenese 2019 is from vines with a mean age of 45 years. Meant for ageing, Molmenti was aged in 440 litre white oak tonneaux barrels for round 24 months earlier than additional ageing in bottles for one more 3 years. Gentle pink with pearlized flecks, I discovered intense aromas of violets, white flowers, nectarines, spice and a little bit of saffron. The advanced palate exuded construction and steadiness with vibrant acidity and contemporary citrus notes. Simply sensible with grilled swordfish underneath a spritz of lime, I’m already wanting ahead to discovering one other bottle.

costaripa

Produced within the Metodo Classico VSQ (Vino Spumante di Qualita) whereby the second fermentation is within the bottle, Mattia Vezzola Brut Rose NV, is of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir cultivated on gravelly moraine soils with limestone and clay and aged for 24-30 months after harvest. Class and class abounded with every swirl and sip. Very fantastic mousse after the primary pour revealed a wine that was pale pink. Wafting from the glass had been pure aromas of raspberries, crimson currants and trace of citrus. The palate supplied vivid acidity and flavors that lasted from the primary to final sip. A pleasant complement to smoked salmon blinis served as an appetizer at a latest ceremonial dinner, our visitors loved the story behind the wine as a lot because the palate profile.

Our final indulgence, Mattia Vezzola Grande Annata (Nice Classic) Rose 2018, was a stunner. Celebrating 50 years of its manufacturing (1973-2023), the mix is 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir from vineyards at completely different facets. Mattia’s aim was to supply a wine that “combines the pace and power of Pinot Noir with the class of Chardonnay.” Aged for 54-60 months from harvest, this advanced, vital wine can also be broadly lauded, simply receiving the celebrated Tre Bicchieri award from Gambero Rosso 2025. On the nostril, I found ripe crimson fruit reminiscent of strawberries and currants together with contemporary peaches. Full bodied, the balanced palate was pure with savory citrus, gentle sapidity and a lingering end. I handled my husband and myself to a surprising glass (or two!) of the Grande Annata with Oysters Rockefeller one evening – perfection!

costaripa

“Since 1928, our household has been working these great lands and I attempt to depart to those that come the worth of respect and knowledge, that the day by day rhythm of the winemaker manifests day by day. Craftsmanship is an instance of how arms and coronary heart are complementary to the qualitative pondering of each gesture,” Mattia Vezzola is quoted as saying. Via the years, Costaripa has centered on producing prime quality wines that improve the native territory. The household’s philosophy features a give attention to environmental sustainability, safety of biodiversity, and in search of the broadest expression of terroir and grape varieties.

costaripa

Costaripa’s rosé wines are extremely really helpful by not solely me however others. For detailed details about Costaripa, please click on HERE.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

Should you’d like extra data about all issues wine and would love a price range pleasant approach to do it, buy my course, “Uncover the Necessities of Wine (and select it like a professional).” Bonus: when you subscribe to my web site HERE, I’ll ship a code so that you can save $30!

The hyperlink for extra details about the course is discovered HERE. I look ahead to you becoming a member of our neighborhood.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisment -
Google search engine

Most Popular

Recent Comments