Antoniolo Gattinara DOCG Riserva Osso San Grato 2020

Osso San Grato is the Antoniolo family's monopole, the highest and most emblematic cru of the estate, in Gattinara, Alto Piemonte. This five-hectare vineyard rises to about 500 metres above sea level, facing south, on morainic and volcanic soils rich in porphyry. Here the Nebbiolo draws exceptional concentration and structure. Vinified separately since 1974, this cru has become a benchmark of the appellation, able to stand the test of decades.

The Nebbiolo grapes are harvested by hand and then ferment spontaneously with native yeasts in cement tanks, following maceration of about eighteen days. The wine is then aged for thirty-six months in large Slavonian or French oak vats (foudres) of 25 to 30 hectolitres, then rests for a further year in bottle before release. This long maturation in large vessels polishes the power of the cru and gives it great depth.

This wine reveals notes of small wild berries, dried cherry, rose, violet, blood orange, slate, sweet spices, cinnamon, roots and forest floor. The complex nose combines fruit, flowers, citrus and earthy notes that unfold with aeration. The palate is broad, enveloping and elegant, supported by fresh acidity and perfectly integrated tannins. The long, floral finish reveals a refined wine with great ageing potential.

Ah, Italy, what a beautiful, hedonistic country, the land of la dolce vita, but how difficult it is to understand its wine industry! The key to understanding the appellation system in Italy is to think of it as several small countries rather than a single homogeneous nation, as each region has its own appellation system. Italy can offer wine lovers a multitude of wines with varied and unique flavors and styles, bottles brimming with surprise and creativity. Unfortunately, it also produces a large quantity of soulless, characterless wines sold under their most commercially useful and prestigious name: Pinot Grigio, Chianti, Valpolicella, Lambrusco, Prosecco, and many others... But let's talk a little history. Viticulture in Italy dates back to antiquity and originated in Greece. The Etruscans are said to have introduced the vine, and Greek immigrants improved and modified the grape varieties, subsequently calling the country "Oenotria": the land of wine. At the height of the Roman Empire, wine held an important place in daily life, and certain regions already distinguished themselves by the excellence of their product. The Romans also established numerous vineyards in Europe, leaving an indelible mark of their conquest. Today, Italy is the world's largest wine producer, ahead of France. Italy is divided into three climatic zones. The northern mountains have a rather harsh mountain climate. The plains of the "central boot" are characterized by a continental climate with cold winters and hot, stormy summers. In the southern part of the Italian boot, the Mediterranean climate prevails, with very hot and dry summers, not forgetting the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. In short, Italy produces a wide variety of wines thanks to its 200 different grape varieties, many of which originated in its own lands. It is a country as complex as its wines, which deserve to be explored!