Country: Italy  Region: Veneto  Vintage: 2020

Category: Pinot Grigio  Color:  White 

Producer: Alpha Zeta

VINTAGE
Vintage 2020 started with a cool and wet spring, which allowed a
good flowering. Summer was not too warm. There were two cases
of hail at the beginning of harvest but luckily, most of the vines
were unaffected. This led to an early harvest of the white grapes,
which were at a perfect level of ripening, with a great colour. The
production was on average in terms of quantity.
PRODUCER
Alpha Zeta was started in 1999 when Liberty Wines set out to
produce a range of modern, fruit-driven wines from the hills
outside Verona. Working with leading New Zealand winemaker,
Matt Thomson, our aim was to work with growers (rather than buy
bulk wine, which is standard among most wines from Verona at
this price) to obtain ripe grapes (by reducing yields and picking
later) and then, using Matt's expertise, preserve these flavours in
the finished wines. The result is a realisation of the potential
inherent in Veronese viniculture.
VINEYARDS
The nine-hectare Terrapieno vineyard is situated at 100-400 metres
above sea level in the Valpantena Valley in eastern Valpolicella.
The sites are slightly cooler so the grapes ripen later imparting
more precise and elegant flavours in the wines. The soil is poor and
well-drained, made of granite and decomposed volcanic rock.
The vines are 20-30 years old on average and are trained using
both the traditional Pergola Veronese and Guyot system.
VINIFICATION
The grapes were hand harvested, destemmed, crushed and
chilled at 10°C on the way to the press to minimise the extraction
of skin phenolics. The juice was chilled immediately and naturally
settled. Fermentation took place in 1200HL stainless-steel tanks at
temperatures of 12°-14°C to retain fruit flavours. The cool and
gentle handling ensured that there was no need for harsh fining,
preserving the wine's delicate aromas.
TASTING NOTES
This single vineyard Pinot Grigio has great intensity of flavour and
balance. It has lifted aromas of pear and bread crust, typical for
Pinot Grigio of this region. The nose gives way to lovely weight and
a silky texture on the palate, with hints of dried herbs. The wine
finishes dry with a zesty acidity and a saline minerality on the finish.