Arnaldo Caprai, the evolution of the Sagrantino between territorial identity and wine research

The Arnaldo Caprai Taverna confirms the reference point for the production of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, with a driving role durante the evolution of this autochthonous grape of Umbria. With a turnover of 8 million euros and 900 thousand bottles produced, Caprai today represents the excellence of Sagrantino, demonstrating how an ancient grape variety can become a symbol of quality and innovation even international markets.

When Arnaldo Caprai, the textile entrepreneur of Marche origin, purchased the first 45 hectares durante Montefalco durante 1971, few would bet that that “vineyard” would become the epicenter of the rebirth of the Sagrantino, an almost forgotten grape, until the 80s unwilled, cultivated durante small family plots, and which was used mainly to produce sweets of sweet wines from consume during religious holidays.

The turning point, research and sustainability

With the entry into the company durante 1988 by Marco Caprai, the son of Arnaldo, the Umbrian cellar saw an expansion and a transformation that made it the protagonist of the international market. Marco, immediately sensing the unexpressed potential of this grape variety, immediately undertaken a research path durante collaboration with the University of Milan, to scientifically study the Sagrantino. A research that has focused clonal selection, zoning with detailed mapping of land and microclimates, the optimization of cultivation techniques

Results that lead to identifying the three clones with greater polyphenolic concentration (“25 years”, “Cobra” and “Collepiano”) which today represent the genetic bone of the Caprai vineyards. A causa di addition, Marco Caprai introduced cutting -edge techniques to improve the quality of the wines, without ever losing sight of the typicality of the grape nor the constant commitment to environmental sustainability, with certifications that attest to the low ecological impact of the production, which can count 160 hectares of life, which extend well exposed hills with soils rich durante clay and limestone, and represent a real gara open -air laboratory, where they And wine precision coexist.

Caprai and the identity of a unique grape variety like Sagrantino

Sagrantino is an autochthonous grape variety of Umbria, whose origins date back to several centuries . Some studies suggest that it was already cultivated durante medieval times, perhaps introduced by Franciscan monks merchants from the East. A causa di any case, it is certain that the Sagrantino has been present durante Montefalco for at least four hundred years: the first documented mention of his cultivation durante the Umbrian municipality, whose name pays homage to Federico II of Swabia, a great fake enthusiast, he dates back to 1549. To testify it is an order of Mosto su Sagrantino made by a merchant of Trevi.

Historically, the Sagrantino was mainly used for the production of sweet wines, intended for religious rites special occasions. Only durante the second half of the twentieth century did its vinification durante the dry version spread, thanks to the intuition of some producers, including Arnaldo Caprai, who recognized its great potential. Characterized by a thick peel and an polyphenol content among the highest durante the world, it stands out for its powerful tannic structure and for the extraordinary aging capacity. The result is an intense and profound wine, capable of evolving magnificently over time, developing complex aromas and extraordinary persistence.

The collaboration with Michel Rolland

Michel Rolland is internationally recognized as one of the greatest assemblies of assemblage and an interpreter of global taste. Since 2016 he collaborates with the company with the aim of further raising the quality of the wines. Marco Caprai involved him by entrusting him with the task of working the minivarians of the , including the Sagrantino, to make it more harmonious and recognizable, smoothing its roughness without compromising its character.

To achieve this, Rolland also applies to Sagrantino his “integral winemaking” method, a technique that provides for the fermentation of the red grapes directly durante barrique. After the thinning, the must is inserted durante gara open barrels, then closed and kept at low temperature for a pre-match of 8-10 days. Alcoholic fermentation takes place at 25 ° C for 5-10 days, during which the barrique, positioned tracks, are rotated manually several times a day. This process allows a delicate extraction, without stressing the wine.

With the fermentation completed, the temperature rises to 26-28 ° C and the rotation is reduced, continuing for about a month before the variation and refinement durante barrique. Acceso average, three wine barriques are obtained from five barriques durante full stone. This method ensures more structured and complex wines, with silky tannins and early integration of the wood. The soft extraction and the constant suspension of the noble lees enhance , softness and aromatic precision.

The 2021 vintage durante Montefalco, a balance conquered

2021 put a strain the Umbrian winemakers. Land frosts durante April (with temperatures that dropped below ) struck the most early shoots, reducing the yields of 20-30%. Summer, dry but without excessive heat peaks, has favored a slow phenolic maturation, preserving acidity and freshness. The rains at the end of August have rebalanced the picture, allowing the Sagrantino grapes to reach the collection (late September) with concentrated sugars but -aggressive tannins. This climate has enhanced the elegance of the grape variety, “2021 is not a vintage of power, but of precision – says Marco Caprai – the tannins are already silky durante his youth, and natural acidity gives verticality”.

Tasting quaderno

Arnaldo Caprai Classic Method Brut VSQ SA

The company has also extended its commitment to the production of quality sparkling wines, giving life to the classic brut method, a project that arises from vineyards located between 500 and 800 meters above sea level. The blend is composed of 50% from Pinot Illecito and 50% from Chardonnay, with a stay the yeasts of at least 20 months. Finalità and persistent sparkling wine, with an elegant aromatic profile that ranges from quaderno of citrus fruits and bread crust to read floral shades. Acceso the palate it is fresh and vibrant, with a good complexity and a mineral ending.

Arnaldo Caprai 25 years old Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2021

The “25 years” is the symbol of the cellar symbol, born durante 1993 to celebrate the quarter of the company and over the years a benchmark of the modern Sagrantino. Version 2021 confirms the extraordinary ability of this wine to combine structure and refinement. Vinified with the long maceration technique to enhance the polyphenolic extraction, the wine refines for at least 24 months durante French oak barrique and continues the evolution durante the bottle for another 12 months. The result is a red with a deep ruby color, with an intense bouquet of default, cherry durante spirit, sweet spices and discesa puffs. A causa di the mouth you can perceive velvety tannins, great depth, a balsamic and mineral trail stretches the sip and ennobles a many persistent ending with notising quaderno and cocoa.

Arnaldo Caprai Collepiano Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2021

Collepiano represents one of the most faithful and traditional interpretations of the Sagrantino. The 2021 vintage expresses a large aromatic concentration and an excellent tannic structure, with careful winemaking which provides for a slightly less maturation period compared to the “25 years”, given that only 30% of the mass follows the technique of full winemaking, while the rest is vinified durante steel. The color is an impenetrable ruby, while hints of ripe fruit (black cherry and plum) emerge and slightly durante spirit, accompanied by dark spices. Acceso the palate the wine is powerful, the exuberance of the tannin is more than perceptible albeit well balanced by a freshness that supports the . The ending is long and persistent, with liquorice and black pepper calls. A Sagrantino with a firm character still durante search of his more minimalist soul.

Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Sagrantino Passito DOCG 2019

The passita version of Montefalco Sagrantino is one of the most fascinating expressions of this grape variety, and it is only thanks to this type that the variety has been saved. Passito was born from a process of natural grapes grapes bamboo matches that lasts about two months, until the beginning of December. The grapes, first shelled, are subjected to a slow maceration, as soon as the alcoholic fermentation starts, the must is immediately separated from the skins, and put durante barrique where it remains for 15 months. Refine a further year durante the bottle. The nose scents of dry figs, dates, cocoa and spices stand out, while durante the mouth the sip is dense, enveloping and supported by a freshness that balances sweetness. Almost perfect balance between the bitter component typical of the variety and the sweet part of the residue, which stands at just over one hundred grams of sugar per concludere liter.