Anima Arancio NV

The vineyard producing this Anima Arancio cuvée from the Giacomo Fenocchio estate is located in the Langhe hills, in the heart of Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The plots are situated around Monforte d'Alba, on typical marly-calcareous soils of the area, blending ancient clays and sands. This well-exposed hillside terroir, benefiting from a continental climate tempered by Alpine influences, allows for a slow and complete ripening of the white grapes destined for this skin-contact winemaking.

The grapes are harvested by hand, then destemmed before a prolonged skin maceration which gives the wine its orange color and tannic structure. Fermentation occurs with indigenous yeasts, without the addition of enological inputs, to preserve the purest expression of the terroir. Aging continues on fine lees, in tanks and/or neutral containers, with minimal racking to limit interventions. The wine is then bottled with a low dose of sulfur, without extensive filtration, to maintain its texture and authentic character.

This wine reveals notes of candied citrus, yellow-fleshed fruits, and orange zest, complemented by delicate floral touches, nuanced sweet spices, and a slight herbaceous register. On the palate, the body is ample, supported by a fine tannic texture resulting from the maceration, a fresh acidity that lengthens the wine, and a persistent finish with slightly saline and bitter accents, typical of orange wines.

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!