Terroir
or a way to make good wines

Terroir is a French term meaning a set of factors linked with territory, climate and activity of man, influencing the cultivation of vineyard.
The following division of these factors can be done:

- appropriate selection of grape variety
- area: exposition to sun, landform, soil type, division of zones
- climate: wind, humidity, temperature
- man activity: plant trimming, fertilization, cultivation system

According to a scientific theory hilly and mountainous areas give better grapes than plains. During the year a vineyard needs about 20 000 lux and the annual medium temperature should not be lower than 10°C, while the summer medium temperature is around 20°C and the winter around -1°C. The quality of wine also results from the soil on which grown vines. Without going into detail of geological features of give areas, it can be said that:

- sandy soil give delicate and soft wines with a light color and body
- calcareous soils give strong and very aromatic wines
- rocky soils give high quality wines of high alcohol level
- clayey soils give long-lived, full-bodied wines with high acidity

Featured Italian Wines

Cantina Colli Euganei

Colli Euganei Rosso

A dry red wine made from local red grape varieties, cultivated in the Colli Euganei zone. Mild hills, on which vineyards are located and their appropriate exposition to the sun, and also volcanic soils make Colli Euganei’s wines are very good. Not so heavy, in comparison with the wines from international grapes, gentleness and originality are their merits. Colli Euganei Rosso is a very pleasant wine to the taste, with fine fruity aromas and moderated tannins. An ideal wine with the meal, suits well to pasta sauces as well as meat.

Color: ruby red with purple hues.
Aroma: complex, intense, notes of cherry, black currant.
Flavor: dry, full, soft.
Food matching: pasta sauces, white and red meat dishes.

Serving temperature: 16°/ 18°C

Azienda Agricola Luigi Giordano

Langhe Freisa

A dry red wine from the autochthonous Freisa variety of Piedmont.In the dialect freisa means freesia, or flower, characterized by purple - red color. Hence the wine was named after its colour. The mentions about this grape variety date back to the late XIX-th century, then the wine obtained from the Freisa grape was already well-known and apprieciated, especially in Piedmont. Freisa from our producer was aged in wooden barrels, next was subjected to the short fermentation process in a big tank called ‘autoclave‘ . Hence Freisa is characterized by a slightly sparkling flavor and freshness. This wine is an excellent companion to grassy meats and charcuterie. Freisa of the Langhe region is a dry wine as opposed to Freisa of the Monferrato zone.

Color: ruby red, intense, vivid.
Aroma: winey and fruity notes of cherries, blackberries and raspberries.
Flavor: rich, nicely seasoned.
Food matching: hors d‘oeuvres based on meats, cured meats, pasta dishes, fried dishes, Bagna Cauda sauce of Piedmont.
Serving temperature: 14v/16°C.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda

Chardonnay Frizzante

Dry white wine of Chardonnay grape. It comes from the hilly vineyards on moreinic soils located on the eastern side of Lake Benaco in the region of Veneto. Its frizzante version or slightly sparkling is a light and crisp wine. A nice aromatic note of the Chardonnay highlights the values of this wine.

Color: straw yellow.
Aroma: fragrant, floral and fruity notes.
Flavor: crisp, fresh.
Food matching: ideal for aperitif, with light appetizers and hors d’ouvres, fish-based dishes.
Serving temperature: 6°/8°C.
Alcohol content: 11,5%

Azienda Agricola Cencig Nicola & Mauro

Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso

A dry red wine from the autochthonous Refosco grape of Veneto. The name of wine literally means a bunch of grapes in dark red color. The grape was introduced to Friuli by the Romans in the second century B.C.. It is a wine with a beautiful brilliant color and relatively high tannin content. Not aged in wood, but over time it becomes very delicate and gains depth.

Color: brilliant red with purple hues.
Aroma: intense fruity notes of blackberry and ripe cherry.
Flavor: dry, full, strong, slightly tannic.
Food matching: best with greasy meats such as pork knuckle or shank of veal, raw ham like prosciutto crudo, poultry and venison in spicy sauces.
Serving temperature: 16°/18°C.
Alcohol content: 12,5%.

Casa Vinicola Dreolino

Vino Bianco Raffaello

Dry white wine with Trebbiano Toscano. Apart from high quality wines in the range of Dreolino there are also table wines, ideal for accompaniment to lunch or supper. A fresh aroma and a delicate fruity note make it a pleasant wine to enjoy with food. As all the wines made of Trebbiano is of high acidity, but gently dry.

Color: straw yellow.
Aroma: fruity, delicate.
Flavor: fresh, gently dry.
Food Matching: goes well with every meal.
Serving temperature: 10°C.
Alcohol content: 12%.

Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda

Garganega

Dry white wine with native Veneto grape Garganega. Originating from hilly vineyards situated in morenic soil around Verona in the Veneto region, Garganega is an example of an original native wine with a fairly strong structure and interesting aroma notes. With moderate acidity, the wine does well exactly in this part of Italy, in the provinces of Verona, Vicenza, Padua. The name „Dogana Veneta” (Venetian Border) relates to a famous building erected in the Venetian Republic times in the town of Lazise at Lake Garda, pointing border between Lombardy and Veneto.

Color: straw-yellow.
Aroma: intense, fruity, notes, notes of orange blossom, pineapple, apricot.
Flavor: full, harmonious, fresh.
Food matching: excellent with vegetable pasta sauces, fish, white meats.
Serving temperature: 12°/14°C.
Alcohol content: 12,5%

Cantina Castelnuovo del Garda

Ca Vegar Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Dry red wine from the native Venetian grapes, Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Corvinone. It is a kind of Valpolicella Classico Superiore called Amarone. The name of the famous great Venetian wine refers to the adjective amaro, the Italian for bitter - the taste which in no way relates to the wine. The name assigned only to distinguish it from Recioto wine, a version of sweet Valpolicella. The production technique of Amarone involves drying of carefully selected ripe grapes, which after the harvest are kept in air-conditioned rooms for about 120 days. These grapes are placed on special nets and after such a long time the sugar content they accumulated reaches its maximum. Then follows the phase of wine fermentation and aging in wood for over two years. Amarone is a wonderful, long-lived wine. It should be saved for special occasions and enjoyed as a wine for meditation.

Color: intense dark garnet.

Aroma: intense, aromatic, notes of fruit in alcohol, sweet spices.

Flavor: warm, velvety.

Food matching: dishes based on meat, roast meat, game, seasoned cheeses.

Serving temperature: 20°C. The bottle should be opened at least one hour before serving.

Alcohol content: 15,5%.

Azienda Vitivinicola Ornella Bellia

Cabernet Franc

Dry red wine with Cabernet Franc. This French grape variety is popular in the whole region of Veneto, also Ornelia has grown her vineayards in the surroundings of Pramaggiore with it. Vinified only in stainless steel tanks, the wine is light and gently fruity, goes well with every dish, best with meats.

Color: vivid red with violet hues.
Aroma: intense, notes of red fruits.
Flavor: dry, pleasing.
Food Matching: with dishes based on meats, roasted meats, poultry.
Serving temperature: 14%.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Cantina della Vernaccia Oristano

Maimone Cannonau di Sardegna

A dry red wine of Cannonau. It is the most famous and important red wine of Sardinia. The first evidence of Cannonau dates back to XIII-th century, probably is related to Spain‘s grape Alicante introduced to the island by the Spanish. Maimone is the local dialect for water, so necessary for the vine after hot days. It is a full-bodied wine of deep color and with rich aromas, aged for 8 months in French oak barrels.

Color: burgundy with purple reflections.
Aroma: rich, notes of plum, blackberry, toasted wood.
Flavor: soft, full, warm.
Food matching: excellent with pasta meat sauces, roast meats, game.
Serving temperature: 16°/18°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Cantine Sant’Agata

Monterovere

A dry red wine of Piedmont‘s native grapes, Barbera and Nebbiolo with the addition of Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of the traditional local grape varieties with Cabernet is a very popular combination of wines belonging to the Monferrato DOC appellation. Barbera makes this wine raw and structured, whereas Nebbiolo elegance and ageing potential, Cabernet softens the whole, thus the wine is soft. Monterovere is one of the family‘s historic vineyards founded by Stefano Cavallero, grandfather of the present owners. Up to the present on this area gives the best grapes of Barbera, so called Cru, and the berries of other varieties too. The grapes generating this interesting wine come exactly from these vineyards. The Monterovere, reminding of ripe fruit and delicate vanilla, ages for 18 months in small French oak barrels. A wine that goes well with meat dishes or to meditate after the meal.

Color: intense ruby red.
Aroma: complex, notes of ripe cherry, plum and vanilla.
Flavor: warm, soft, harmonious.
Food matching: excellent with juicy roasts, grilled meats.
Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.
Alcohol content: 14,5%.

Terroir or a way to make good wines

Terroir
or a way to make good wines