In our cellar the fermentation of the red wine La Conta is ending, and then all the fermentations of 2017 vintage will be completed.
This vintage will be remembered for its very hot growing season, with one exception: during a couple of nights in the middle of April, a sudden temperature range due to an Arctic air mass brought the temperatures from 22 ° C to about 0 ° C in a few hours, causing a bad damage to the young bunches which had already started to grow and causing a premature loss of crop by about 20%. The spring frost took everyone by surprise, since the mild winter and the early, warm spring did not let suppose such occurrence.
[Photo: young bunches of Turbiana]
In June temperatures have risen rapidly, kicking off a very hot summer and with very low rainfall, which have favoured an excellent vineyard management with very low humidity levels. A remarkable diurnal range (up to 8 ° C difference) has contributed to create more aromatic compounds in our grapes.
[Photo: perfectly ripe Turbiana grapes]
The harvest began about 10 days in advance. High temperatures and very low humidity have allowed us to make an accurate selection of the grapes: we harvested only by hand (as always) at least two times in each vineyard to pick up the grapes at the moment of perfect ripening. The bunches were immediately transferred to the cellar to preserve the integrity of the grapes and they were processed very quickly: we pressed them softly to obtain our must.
[Photo: harvest time]
Picking time:
late August - Turbiana (Metodo Classico Brut), Merlot (La Conta)
early September - Groppello, Marzemino, Barbera, Sangiovese (Rosa di Notte Chiaretto, La Venga)
from 18th September - Turbiana (Montunal Lugana)
early October - Turbiana (Orestilla Lugana)
20th October - Cabernet Sauvignon (La Conta)
[Photo: press machine is filled with whole bunches]
After the first tastes, the winemaker Roberto has confirmed that the sensory profile of the new wines that is outlining is excellent: from 2017 vintage we expect wines with pronounced flavour intensity, balanced acidity and smooth mouth-feel thanks to the alcohol and the great structure.
Our two Lugana, Montunal and Orestilla, already show a distinctive mineral hint; Rosa di Notte, our Chiaretto, has a pronounced aroma of the red berries, coming in particular from Groppello grapes, which is already expressing its fruity character; our red wine La Venga offers scents of fresh fruit along its juiciness on the palate, while the red wine La Conta (which is still fermenting) promises great concentration and vigour.
[Photo: the owner and winemaker Roberto Girelli]
Now our two Lugana and our Chiaretto are beginning the ageing on their fine lees and La Conta will start its maturation in 500 L French oak barrels soon. Stay tuned!
