Ca’Brione Bianco 2019, Nino Negri, Alpi Retiche IGT

Ca’ Brione has a lemon yellow hue, accompanied by a full, intense nose with notes of elderflower and peaches that blend nicely with the toasty and yeasty hints derived from its
time ageing in barrique. The elegant and fresh palate is well balanced, with an attractive, creamy, fruit-washed finish.

Arguably Valtellina’s most iconic producer, Casa Vinicola Nino Negri was founded in 1897 and owns 31 hectares of vineyards across the most prestigious of the Valtellina Superiore D.O.C.G. subzones: Inferno, Sassella, Grumello and Fracia, a monopole vineyard located in the Valgella subzone. The winery is based in Chiuro, in the old fifteenth-century Castello Quadrio. Due to the extremely steep hillsides, Nino Negri’s estate is characterised by terracing to allow cultivation of the land. All vineyard work, including vineyard management and harvest is done entirely by hand along the terraces supported by a myriad of age- old dry stonewalls, a symbol of this valley.

The grapes were fermented off the skins with very soft pressing at a natural cellar temperature
of 18°C-20°C in French oak barriques. The wine was then left in barriques until the following
spring, with weekly bâtonnage.