Tedeschi Nicalo 2022

The Nicalò cuvée comes from Valpolicella, north-east of Verona, in the Veneto wine region. The Tedeschi family's vineyards stretch across the hills of this historic appellation, among valleys, well-exposed slopes and the moderating influences of Lake Garda and the Pre-Alps. The soils, made up notably of clay, limestone and stones, encourage even ripening of the local red grapes. This rolling terroir produces wines that are both generous and balanced, marked by clear fruit expression, preserved freshness and the structure characteristic of the great reds of Valpolicella.

The grapes are harvested by hand, then fermented in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks. The wine is aged for twelve months in Slavonian oak barrels, before continuing to mature in bottle.

This wine reveals notes of ripe cherry, red fruit and plum, alongside touches of violet, sweet pepper and vanilla. Ageing adds a hint of delicate oak without masking the brightness of the fruit. On the palate, the wine is supple and enveloping, carried by balanced freshness and fine tannins. The round texture gradually gains depth, with a lingering finish of spice, cherry and a subtle mineral sensation.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful hedonistic country, home of the Dolce Vita, but how hard it is to understand how its wine is organised! The key to understanding Italy's appellation system is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single uniform one, since each region has its own appellation system. Yet Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavours and styles, as well as bottles full of surprise and creativity. Unfortunately it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most useful and commercially renowned names: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco and many others... But let us talk a little history: winegrowing in Italy goes back to the most distant antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and changed the grape varieties, later calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and some regions already stood out for the excellence of their produce. The Romans also planted many vineyards across Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquests. Today Italy is the largest wine producer in the world, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a fairly harsh mountain climate. The plain in the "middle of the boot" has a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. The "south of the boot" enjoys a Mediterranean climate with very hot, very dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a great variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of them native to its land. It is a country just as complex as its wines, and well worth exploring!