Antinori - Castello della Sala
Pairing Suggestions
Perfect blend of 50% Grechetto, 25% Procanico, 25% Pinot Blanc / Viognier. In the glass a pale yellow color with greenish rim. In the nose elegantly aromatic with hints of citrus, peach, apple and flowers. On the palate medium body, dry, fresh and vibrant, lovely acidity, well balanced and easy drinkable with notes of grapefruit and citrus with mineral notes on the long finish.
CLIMATE
2015 was A vintage characterized by a rather rainy winter and a mild spring which saw both an early bud burst and an early flowering compared to normal seasonal averages. Drop irrigation allowed vine stress caused by summer heat to be controlled and limited. Lower temperatures and light rainfall towards the end of the summer created ideal conditions for a complete ripening of the grapes.
VINIFICATION
The grapes, harvested with a sugar content a bit higher than average, were fermented separately, variety by variety. Part of the crop was fermented using a cold maceration technique (with the must left in contact with the grape skins for approximately six hours at a temperature of 50° centigrade, or 10° Fahrenheit). This must was added to that obtained by the direct pressing of the grapes and the entire volume went into stainless steel fermentation tanks, where it fermented at a temperature of 61° Fahrenheit (16° centigrade). After the first rackings, the wine remained for several months on its fine lees, adding structure, elegance, and savor up until the moment of the final blending and subsequent bottling.
HISTORICAL DATA
The first vintage of the Castello della Sala Orvieto Classico was the 1990. With the 1997 vintage, the wine became an Orvieto Classico Superiore (the new “Superiore” appellation was created in 1997 and signifies that the yield per acre in the vineyard must be lower than that of a regular Orvieto Classico, that the grapes must be picked at a high level of ripeness, and that the wine cannot be commercially released until March 1st following the harvest). The Castello della Sala is located approximately 10 miles (18 kilometers) from the cathedral city of Orvieto and is an example of medieval military architecture. Its vineyards enjoy an ideal micro-climate for the production of wines which require a cooler than average climate, for example white wines.
Wineproducer: www.antinori.it