About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The vineyards occupy the hill separating Montorio from Valle d’Illasi, northeast of Verona in Veneto. The estate comprises 20 hectares trained to Guyot and 5 hectares under traditional Pergola Veronese. Plantings date from 1995 to 2022. Il Perlar and Palazzina have limestone soils with predominantly iron-rich red clay; Monte del Drago has medium-textured clay and tuff. Planting density is 6,000 vines per hectare under Guyot and 4,500 vines per hectare under Pergola Veronese. Yield is 1 kg per vine.
Grapes
Corvina 45%, Corvinone 50%, Rondinella 5%, Oseleta 5%.
Vinification
Harvest took place from 1 September to 5 October. The healthiest and ripest bunches undergo appassimento on trays in naturally well-ventilated rooms. The fruit loses at least 40% of its original weight, concentrating sugar, aromatic compounds and noble tannins. The dried grapes are gently pressed in January, and fermentation begins at the naturally low winter temperature of 13–17°C.
Ageing
The wine matures for 24 months in 3,500 L and 5,000 L oak barrels of differing origins and constructions, followed by 12 months in concrete tanks.
Technical data
Alcohol: 15.90% vol. Total acidity: 6.40 g/L. pH: 3.42. Residual sugar: 5.30 g/L. Dry extract: 37.50 g/L.
Vintage notes
Winter was normally cold, with considerable mountain snow. Spring was regular, with moderate rain in April and May. June was very dry and hot. A severe hailstorm on 8 July damaged much of Palazzina and part of Monte del Drago, cutting total production by 50%. The rest of summer was regularly warm, with refreshing rain through mid-August. September remained dry, allowing perfectly healthy grapes to be harvested.
