The longevity of Timorasso at the Women of Wine Masterclass test celebrating 35 years of activity

by Patrizia Pittia Over one hundred Ladies of Red wine satisfied in Piedmont for the National Convention and to commemorate 35 years of activity, led by the recently designated president, Daniela Mastroberardino, manufacturer of Irpina, supported by the vice vicar Alessandrina Francesca Poggio, manufacturer of Gavi.

The members originated from all over Italy to take part in the yearly conference. The Piedmontese delegation, really close-knit, with more than one hundred members, led by Ivana Brignolo Miroglio, offered us excellent feelings. 5 days to find “The Other Piedmont” on the border with Liguria and Lombardy, with Cortese di Gavi and Barbera, Timorasso, Boca, the valley of aromatics with stretches of Moscato and Brachetto d’Acqui.

This year the conference happened in the historical Gavi Fortress, constructed by the Genoese on a pre-existing castle of middle ages origin. Sustainability, innovation and brand-new difficulties were talked about. President Daniela Mastroberardino interacted the outcomes of the study on water and vineyards to which the members of the wineries reacted. A conference that intended to comprehend and evaluate the whole red wine sector, the potential customers and developments of the Italian and worldwide farming heritage. In closing, necessary guidance for wineries, on how to grow and make themselves understood. This year the gala supper happened in the cloister of the Huge Complex of Santa Croce in Bosco Marengo, established in 1566 by Pope Pius V. The members had the ability to go to the church and the museum which houses fascinating works by Giorgio Vasari and his workshop of him. The standard Piedmontese supper ended with: music, dancing and the cutting of the cake, by the President, devoted to the 35 years of the Association.

Masterclass on TIMORASSO waiting on the “DERTHONA” sub-area

It was the year 1987 when Walter Massa, a wine maker from Monleale, together with some pals, chose to recuperate an old deserted native vine that ran the risk of termination, the Timorasso, which was likewise really challenging to reproduce. However Walter does not quit. He begins with half a hectare and chooses to vinify the grapes in pureness. He concerns find that the long aging in the bottle makes the red wine meaningful and complex. And it is specifically in the Tortonesi Hills, in Sarezzano, in the magnificent Repetto winery, with a very little design that integrates innovation and eco-sustainability, that we are invited by the president of the Consortium, Gian Paolo Repetto, his better half Marina and Sara, export sales. A masterclass on Derthona collaborated by Elisa Semino, oenologist of the La Colombera business, is set up.

Gian Paolo Repetto

Gian Paolo Repetto’s speech is devoted to the brand-new “DERTHONA” sub-area, within the Colli Tortonesi DOC, which must begin in fall and which intends to recognize the white wines produced with Timorasso grapes: all this to offer value to the area of origin, Derthona, which is the ancient name of the city of Tortona. Now the hectares are 330, at the start there were 35 members and today 94, the goal, Gian Paolo restates, is to reach 500 hectares. There will be 3 kinds of sub-zone: Piccola Derthona, which can be launched on the marketplace in March of the year following the harvest; the Derthona on sale in September and the Derthona Riserva. just in the 3rd year following the harvest: the yield will be 75 quintals per hectare and from a sustainability point of view the weight of the bottles should not go beyond 600 grams.

THE AREA OF TIMORASSO

Davide Ferrarese’s speech

Davide Ferrarese, agrotechnician, describes what research studies have actually been performed on the land. The location is really different and permits Timorasso to reveal itself effectively at various elevations varying as much as 1700 metres, in between valleys with various environments and environments. The area consists of 46 towns and 6 valleys: Curone, Grue, Ossona, Scrivia, Borbera and Spinti, in a longitudinal location of 40 kilometers by 30 broad. A sort of crescent in a vein of land in the very same location as Barolo: the marl of Sant’ Agata with fossils (tuff), abundant in limestone, clay and silt which flakes in contact with the environment. The origins of the soils are marine, from the Piedmontese tertiary basin, and generate complex and long-lived white wines. “For Timorasso– continues Davide– there is a great deal of work and effort in the vineyard, the lot is compact with a threat of mould, the grapes are really conscious sunburn, so the leaf part should be handled effectively”.

TASTING

REPETTO VINEYARDS– DERTHONA QUADRO 2019 14.5% (100% Timorasso)

The vintage was moderate, the vineyards remain in the Sarezzano location at an elevation of 300 meters above water level, the grapes gathered at the ideal ripeness stayed in contact with the skins for twelve hours, followed by fermentation in steel with regular battonage and long improvement in the bottle. Golden yellow at sight, citrus notes open on the nose, light grapefruit and an enjoyable minerality, followed by vegetal notes, then sage and eucalyptus. At the very first sip, gorgeous taste that works together with freshness, you can feel territorial and hydrocarbon notes that have absolutely nothing to envy of the distinguished Rieslings. A vertical, well balanced and really rewarding red wine;

DERTHONA ORIGO 2017 14.5 ° (from the Latin name significance “at the start” Timorasso which admires the origins of the area):

From a single historical vineyard with really restricted production, a challenging and dry vintage. After vinification in steel, it rests on the yeasts for twelve months. Brilliant gold in the glass, meaningful on the nose, ripe fruit, peach and toasted notes, puffs of fragrant herbs; fresh and tasty in the mouth, with excellent effect, breaking minerality and tips of hazelnut in the aftertaste. Here the Timorasso validates its expressiveness and long advancement.

LA COLOMBERA– IL MONTINO 2015 14.00 ° (100% Timorasso)

The masterclass continues with the La Colombera business owned by Elisa Semino’s household, who runs it together with her dad and bro. In the nineties the business was among the very first to think in the capacity of Timorasso, Montino is the very first single vineyard and mass choice of Timorasso vines was utilized. From a hot year, after collecting the grapes, 3 hours of pushing, followed by 15-20 days of fermentation in steel at 16 ° on the yeasts. Golden yellow in the glass, tips of quince, caramel and honeyed notes while flint glimpses out; fresh in the mouth, with excellent minerality and intricacy, excellent structure and extreme taste-olfactory determination.

IL MONTINO 2013 13.5 °

Davide steps in and restates that the 2013 vintage was best for Timorasso, with all the wonderful criteria and a level of acidity worth of 7 and PH 3. Golden reflections in the glass, ripe fruit on the nose, developed notes with a strong minerality and excellent skill; the taste amazed by such strength and fullness, a typical thread in between freshness, taste and minerality. Here we have verification that the long aging makes it covering, sophisticated and well balanced.