Vincenzo Rosso, Fattoria di Vaira

€20,95

Vincenzo Rosso is 50% Montepulciano, the remainder being Cab Sauv and Merlot, co-planted old vines. 25% of the grapes are fermented whole bunch, having been macerated in cuve for an average of seven days. This is a lovely little natural red with fruit with a touch of typical Montepulciano rusticity, but more aromatic than the usual style. Really bright violet colour, red plums and cherries and gentle tannins.

The grapes for Vincenzo wine are sourced from Fattoria di Vaira, one of the largest biodynamic farms in Italy, with more than 500 hectares, 40 of which are planted to vines. The wines are made by Michele Lorenzetti in conjunction with Eric Narioo of Vino di Anna and Les Caves de Pyrene.

Here in Petacciato (Campobasso), Fattoria di Vaira cultivate vegetables, grains and cereals, and produce fresh cheeses, olive oil and honey. Grape varieties include Falanghina, Trebbiano, Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. After several years of applying biodynamic practices, professional analysis, carried out by independent laboratories, shows that the nature of the soil has been restored, reaching a degree of purity similar to wild soil.

This is a wonderful, very clean environment, with animals, fruit plans, cereals. Shepherds, farmers, cheese makers, vignerons all work in harmony on the farm.

Soils are rich in sand and clay, and the climate is purely Mediterranean; a beautiful hillside estate in the Molise, with a view directly towards the Adriatic Sea, and the southern Apennine Mountains just behind.

Farming is biodynamic. The farm uses green manure and cover crops, and compost from their own herb of cattle, as well as BD preps 500 & 501. All the grapes are harvested by hand in small boxes.