Cà dei Frati, Lugana `Brolettino` Half Bottle
Country: Italy Region: Lombardia Vintage: 2022 Size: Half Bottle 37.5cl
Varietal: White regional (Northern-Italian) Category: White Wine Color: White
Producer: Cà dei Frati
"The Dal Cero family has transformed their Ca' dei Frati property, situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, into a model Italian estate over the past two decades. Back in 1987, they had 12 hectares of vineyard but now, following the purchase of a large chunk of prime vineyard in 2008, they have over 140 hectares. This increase in quantity has been matched by an increase in quality, and today they remain the best producer in Lugana.
The quality of the wines is attributable directly to Igino Dal Cero's obsession with detail. All their fruit is picked by hand; he ensures there is no skin contact as he wants to retain delicate perfumes and enhance the supple texture; he has changed his mind on malolactic fermentation and now inhibits it in order to give the wine the lift he feels it benefits from; and he is now convinced that ageing on lees from end of fermentation gives him greater richness on the palate and the wonderful flintiness on nose that makes this wine so Burgundian in character.
The 2017 Lugana is lively and scented, and continues to offer superb value. Made solely from the Turbiana variety (related to Verdicchio, it was formerly known as Trebbiano di Lugana and then Lugana), the wine has depth and zip that few from this area demonstrate. Their single vineyard Lugana, the 2017 'Brolettino', is barrel fermented and aged for 10 months. The oak is nicely integrated with the fruit to give a wonderful texture and complexity to the wine. 'Pratto', a blend of 50% Turbiana, 25% Chardonnay (both of which are barrel fermented) and 25% Sauvignon Blanc (fermented in tank), has an exotic passion fruit character while maintaining the characteristic freshness of the Ca' dei Frati wines.
Winemaker: Igino Dal Cero
Vineyards:
The secret to the success of the Ca' dei Frati wines is outstanding vineyards. Most producers in the zone overcrop and train the vines high. At Ca' dei Frati, the vines are trained low, newer vineyards have a higher density of planting and yields are well below the average for the zone. The grapes are grown in their own vineyards, which are located on the south banks of Lake Garda near the town of Sirmione. The vines from which 'Brolettino' is made were planted in 1971, with clay soils. The training system is single and double Guyot and the yield is eight tonnes per hectare.
Vinification:
Fermentation took place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before being transferred to small 225 litre barriques for 14 months. Malolactic fermentation was allowed to take place in a selected number of barrels. The wine remained in bottle for 24 months before release.
Food Suggestion: A wine to enjoy with a rich fish pie or a delicate fillet of plaice.
Closure: Natural Cork ABV:13.5% Classification: DOC
