Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The Merlot grows on the best open hillsides of Vallagarina and around Trento. In Vallagarina the vineyards lie on alluvial fans formed by deposits from ancient streams, on well-structured, well-drained limestone soils that also contain clay. On the hills around Trento the vines are planted on glacial or moraine terraces that also contain clay. The climate is subcontinental, with cold, often snowy winters, hot summers and a good difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures. Vallagarina also benefits from the Ora del Garda, a breeze that rises from Lake Garda in the afternoon.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested fully ripe at the end of September, once they have reached optimal phenolic ripeness. After crushing and destemming, the must ferments with the skins for around 12–14 days in stainless steel tanks, at no more than 28 °C.
Ageing
The wine ages for 15 months in French oak barriques, then spends a short additional period in Slavonian oak barrels before bottling.
Tasting profile
An elegant red wine.
Vintage notes
2021: the harvest was late and the weather stable, so the grapes ripened very well and developed a bright aromatic profile. Spring was cool, slightly delaying the growing season, but there was almost no frost. Summer alternated periods of heat and drought with thunderstorms and hail, which damaged the crop in some areas. Autumn was sunny and dry. The red varieties gave well-structured, distinctly fruity wines, with yields below average because of the hail. The year is considered very good for reds with strong ageing potential.
Label / history
The "Bottega Vinai" range is sold only through restaurants and wine shops and presents Trentino wines across the region. Cavit was founded in 1950 as a cooperative of Trentino winemakers, to ease quality control and give them greater control over their wines. It is based in northeastern Italy and supports almost 4500 small wineries. It produces 65% of all the wine made in Trentino each year, and its vineyards cover 7000 hectares.
