Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The fruit comes from the "Le Pievi" vineyard, at 50 metres above sea level with a southwest exposure, which gives the vines plenty of sunshine while keeping the freshness they need. The soils are sedimentary and sandy-clay. Summers are cool and temperature shifts are noticeable, so the grapes ripen slowly and evenly.
Vinification
The grapes are picked by hand in mid-September and placed in small crates. A quarter of them are fermented as whole clusters in 30 hL conical wooden vats. Maceration lasts more than a month. The winemaker tastes the wine daily and uses these tastings to adjust how often and how long the must is pumped over. The wine completes both alcoholic and malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
The wine ages for at least a year in used barriques, then rests a further year in bottle to reach full harmony.
Tasting profile
Rich and distinctive, with high acidity and an elegant style. The character is bright and lively.
Serving and pairing
Suited to classic Italian dishes.
Label / history
"Lo Scudiere" ("The Squire") is a tribute to Michele Satta, under whom Fabio Motta studied, and whom the text calls a "knight" and a pioneer of Sangiovese in Bolgheri. The cuvée also grew out of Motta's ten years of working with the variety. That experience convinced him that Sangiovese, despite its challenges, can show a worthwhile character in local conditions and deserves to stand on its own. The wine is presented as a distinctive Bolgheri interpretation of Tuscan tradition.
