About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
Balciana comes from Sartarelli’s own 9 ha vineyard in Contrada Balciana. The vines stand at 300–350 m above sea level on a north-eastern exposure with a gradient of approximately 12–15%. The medium-textured soil is slightly calcareous. Vines average 30 years of age, are trained to simple Guyot, and are planted at approximately 2,500 vines per hectare.
Average vineyard production is approximately 9 tonnes per hectare, of which 3 tonnes are used for Balciana. The low crop per vine is one of the defining elements of the wine.
Grapes
100% Verdicchio.
Vinification
This is a late-harvest wine. Picking dates vary with the season but normally fall between the beginning and middle of November. The grapes are harvested by hand at different times and placed in small crates, with particular care taken to keep the fully ripe berries intact. Cellar work is carried out exclusively in stainless-steel tanks.
Ageing
Refinement takes place in stainless steel. After bottling, the wine continues to develop and refine, gaining greater finesse with time. Natural and synthetic cork closures suitable for very long ageing are used.
Technical data
The 2023 vintage has 15.5% alcohol, pH 3.4, total acidity of 5.6 g/L expressed as tartaric acid, less than 4 g/L residual sugar, total dry extract of 26 g/L, and total sulphur dioxide of 90–100 mg/L.
Annual production is limited to approximately 15,000 bottles when seasonal conditions permit. Balciana is bottled in Sartarelli’s 750 ml bottle and a 1.5 L borgognotta magnum, with the magnum presented in a gift box.
Tasting profile
Brilliant and luminous gold in colour. The intense bouquet combines ripe and tropical fruit with honey, linden blossom, spices, citrus fruit, liquorice root, and almond. The palate is harmonious, full-bodied, and marked by substantial alcoholic structure, balanced by freshness and pronounced sapidity. Aromas and flavours are strongly persistent, leading to an iodine-like finish.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 10–12°C. Pair with stockfish all’anconetana, baked salt-cured cod, smoked fish, beccafico sardines, foie gras or foie-gras pâté, roast goose, duck, turkey, and mature cheeses. Its contemplative style also suits drinking after a meal without food.
Vintage notes
Balciana is produced only when seasonal conditions permit. It was not made in the particularly unfavourable vintages of 1996, 2002, and 2005. Technical values published for the currently presented 2023 vintage are given above.
