About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Merlot comes from old vines in the estate's certified-organic vineyards, planted on terraces in the eastern hills of Friuli at around 150 metres above sea level.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand fairly late in the season, and only healthy, fully ripe fruit is selected. They macerate for a long time on the skins in truncated-cone-shaped oak vats, without temperature control and with regular punch-downs.
Ageing
After fermentation the wine ages for 24 months in 225-litre French oak barrels. It is bottled in August or September during the waning moon, following the lunar calendar, without fining or filtration. Natural sediment may be present in the bottle; it reflects the wine's natural character and helps it keep longer.
Serving and pairing
The producer recommends large glasses.
Label / history
"Artiul" Riserva was the first wine Stefano Novello, founder of Ronco Severo, made under his own name after taking over the family business. The name refers to the first young grass that grows in a meadow after the first cutting, a symbol of this new beginning. The original label shows a young acrobat.
