The identity of the Val di Cembra enclosed in a glass: Pinot Noir Vigna Saosent di Cembra Cantina di Montagna encloses all of the nuances and scents of a unique terroir while perfectly reflecting the refined characteristics of one of the world’s most famous grapes.
The elegance of Pinot Noir and the authenticity of mountain wines come together in Italy’s scenic Val di Cembra. Here in the mountains of the great north, this delicate grape has found an identity all its own.
Located high in the Trentino region of the country, with the majestic Dolomites as a backdrop, the Val di Cembra offers jaw-dropping scenery and unforgettable natural landscapes. Winding roads meander along hillsides dotted with vineyards and farms while rolling pastures set a contrasting foreground to the jagged edges of the mighty mountains. Muse of the 15th-century German artist Albrecht Dürer, who painted several celebrated watercolors of its fairytale landscapes, the Val di Cembra is known for its viticulture as well as its awe-inspiring beauty.
All along the valley, wide terraced vineyards catch the eye. It is an area where traditions and habitat come together to produce some of Italy’s finest wines – a countryside whose beauty belies a zone where viticulture is valiant and bold. Harvesting on these slopes requires the effort, care, and time of precision manual work since the vineyards sit on steep inclines.
Trentino, which has a climate that ranges from continental, to sub-Mediterranean, to Alpine, is home to several local grapes as well as international varieties, including Pinot Noir, which has found its habitat nestled in one of the most enchanting corners of the valley.
This noble French grape from Burgandy is known for its elegant wines that are pale in color, high in acidy, and low to medium in tannins with notes of red fruits. With its thin skins, it is a variety that is not easy to cultivate. It prefers cool to moderate climates and is easily susceptible to rot and disease.
Yet as demanding and difficult as growing it can be, in the Val di Cembra Pinot Noir shows a uniquely strong personality and develops an expression of very high quality, a result of the optimal climatic and agronomic conditions present in the area paired with carefully honed growing and winemaking techniques.
Here, where the earth seems to reach out towards paradise, climbing 560 meters above sea level, a small vineyard rises powerfully. Vigna Saosent di Cembra Cantina di Montagna is a small plot of land of 1.5 hectares where the vines are arranged in the shape of a Roman amphitheater with a density of 6,500 plants/hectare. Along these slopes, the vineyards are caressed by the sun all year round and gently cradled by the Ora del Garda, a breeze that regularly blows from the northern shores of Lake Garda, creating a moderating influence which on warm spring afternoons travels up the valley helping to protect the vines from rot and disease and contributing to their healthy growth.
The favorable southern exposure of Vigna Saosent, the sandy soil, moderately rich in clay and organic matter, with low lime content that is well-drained, along with the temperature range between day and night, make this romantic amphitheater an ideal home for this noble variety and for the production of a wine that has become a symbol of the entire region.
“With the production of Pinot Noir Vigna Saosent, we put body and soul on the line. For us, it means challenging the international panorama and the inimitable elegance, as well as the qualitative pinnacle of one of the best wines in the world. Our goal is to bring out the unique personality of Pinot Noir while interpreting it according to the characteristics of the territory of the Val di Cembra,” remarks Ezio Dallagiacoma, Technical Director of Cembra Cantina di Montagna.
“The altitude of Vigna Saosent allows us to develop an important fruit,” he continues, “and in particular a remarkable depth on the palate while maintaining the elegance and finesse that characterize this variety. The typical features of Pinot Noir are therefore enriched with new facets that are characteristic of our mountain area. And this is what makes it different.”
The result is a clean, elegant Pinot Noir that enchants with its ruby red color and garnet red reflections, convincing the most demanding palates with its delineated structure and pleasant depth. The grapes are harvested by hand in the first ten days of October. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature, with frequent pumping over to extract the color and aromas contained in the skins. Vigna Saosent Pinot Noir is aged in tonneaux and barriques for 12-18 months before bottling and then continues its aging in bottle for at least one year.
www.cembracantinadimontagna.it
By Liana Bicchieri