Merlot/Corvina - Saveroni - Veneto - Italy

PRODUCER

Working with leading New Zealand winemaker, Matt Thomson, the

aim was to work with growers (rather than buy bulk wine, which is

standard among most wines from Verona at this price) to obtain

ripe grapes (by reducing yields and picking later) and then, using

Matt's expertise, preserve these flavours in the finished wines. The

result is a realisation of the potential inherent in Veronese

viniculture.

VINEYARDS

Fruit for this Merlot and Corvina blend is sourced from vineyards

situated next to the Soave zone in the Val d‘Alpone. The Merlot is

grown on the warm, sheltered plains on clay soils, and the Corvina

in the foothills on tufaceous basalt soils. All of the vineyards have

excellent exposure, which helps to ensure complete ripeness.

VINTAGE

After a mild winter and a rainy spring with below-average

temperatures, the summer saw a sudden increase in heat,

requiring careful water management to avoid stress on the vines.

September brought milder temperatures and significant day and

night temperature variations, favouring aromatic complexity. The

resulting grapes were healthy and high-quality thanks to a

balanced ripening.

VINIFICATION

The grapes were hand harvested, destemmed, crushed and

pumped into stainless steel tanks. 25% of the juice was drained

from the tank in order to increase the ratio of skins to juice,

resulting in a wine with greater colour and flavour. The wine was

pumped over the cap every hour in the early stages to increase

extraction further. It was left in contact with the skins for four to five

days and fermentation took place at temperatures up to 30°C.

After pressing, the wine was aged in stainless steel tanks until

bottling.

TASTING NOTES

In this blend, the soft blackberry fruit of the Merlot blends

harmoniously with the characteristic red cherry character of the

Corvina. This wine is fresh, bright and well-balanced.