Gustus 2023 from the DOC Colli Berici

The thirteenth edition of Gustus 2023 happened in Vicenza on 7 and 8 October 2023, in the magnificent setting of the “Arrigo Pedrollo” Music Conservatory, the food and red wine occasion which this year accompanies the events for the 50th anniversary of the DOC Colli Berici and Vicenza. An occasion that united more than 100 labels and made it possible to find the white wines of the Berici Hills, Vicenza and Gambellara.

” Gustus” yearly represents a distinct chance to immerse yourself in the food and red wine art of the province and commemorate its white wines. Organized by the Consorzio dei Colli Berici, led for several years by director Giovanni Ponchia, Gustus is not simply a tasting occasion, however likewise a chance to check out the extensive link in between the Vicenza land and the glass and to satisfy manufacturers, sector specialists and red wine lovers.

Before getting to the heart of the “Colli Berici Vintage” masterclass held throughout the occasion, here is a quick intro to the Berici Hills and its qualities.

A short history of the Berici Hills

The red wine history of the province of Vicenza is an interesting chronicle of custom and red wine production in this province goes back to ancient times, even going back to Roman times. The vines grow in a distinct terroir, defined by clay and limestone soils, a temperate environment and the advantageous impact of the Alpine wind.

The landscape of the Berici Hills provides a sloping development defined by reliefs with a carefully undulating profile, with moderate elevations, usually in between 300 and 400 meters above water level. These hills stemmed from tectonic motions and geological uplifts, in addition to localized volcanic eruptions.

The structure of this uneven location and the foothill locations is generally comprised of a succession of limestone rock developments of sedimentary origin. These rocks have actually changed in time into red clayey soils, understood for their richness in skeleton.

In addition, there are likewise small traces of rocks of volcanic origin which have actually added to developing basaltic soils taken in mineral salts. This geological variety provides a distinct character to this uneven landscape, developing beneficial conditions for the growing of extraordinary grape ranges and abundant biodiversity.

The primary vines

Over the centuries, Vicenza wine makers have actually established a huge variety of vines, some native, others global. Each vine has actually had the ability to establish its own extensive character here however amongst the most popular native vines we definitely discover the “Garganega” vine, standard-bearer of the Gambellara Doc and the “Tai Rosso”, understood in the past as Tocai Rosso, standard-bearer of the Colli Berici Doc.

Garganega grape white wines use notes of white flowers and citrus fruits, with an enjoyable level of acidity. Tai Rosso is a genuine pearl amongst regional red vines, with its cherry tones and a complicated taste of red fruits and spices.

A basic element is that this vine shares the very same hereditary basis as the Sardinian Cannonau, the French Grenache and the Spanish Garnacha, however has actually discovered a perfect environment for its growing in the Vicenza location, establishing its own special identity.

” Colli Berici Vintage” Masterclass

Lovers who checked out “Gustus” had the chance to widen their understanding by taking part in an interesting masterclass performed by Gianni Fabrizio, historical editor of the Gambero Rosso Italian White Wine Guide.

In the very first part of the masterclass the individuals had the ability to taste 4 white wines from ancient Vicenza vines thoroughly chosen by the GRASPO association. These consist of gambugliana, cinerente, uva gatta and corbina.

The “cenerente” vine is an unusual native range grown in the Berici Hills, in the province of Vicenza, Italy. Cinder vines are renowned for their resistance to climatic representatives and capability to adjust to various weather conditions. From the Cinderella grape, red white wines with a distinct character are acquired, with deep notes of red fruits and spices, supported by an excellent structure and freshness.

The “feline grape” is an interesting native grape range grown in the stunning hills of the Berici Hills, in the province of Vicenza, Italy. This vine owes its name to its intrinsic quality of high level of acidity, which in fact “scratches”. The catnip grapes produce red white wines with fragrances of black fruits, fragrant herbs and an enjoyable minerality.

Corbina is a vine of Vicenza/Padua origin, it produces red white wines defined by an extreme ruby color and complex fragrances of red fruits and spices.

The 2nd part of the masterclass rather stressed the durability of the red white wines of the Berici Hills through the tasting of 4 historical vintages:

Red Wine Doc Colli Berici Campo del Lago 1992Cabernet Doc Colli Berici Rive Rosse 1991Cabernet Doc Colli Berici Rive Rosse 1974Merlot Doc Colli Berici Campo del Lago 1973.

Throughout the masterclass, Fabrizio assisted the individuals on a sensorial journey through the various terroirs providing an extensive point of view on the various grape ranges, the production procedures and the organoleptic qualities of the white wines.