Rivera 'Violante' Nero di Troia | Puglia, Italy

£15.20

Nero di Troia is the least known of Puglia’s three main red grapes, the others being Negroamaro and Primitivo. But is is view by some as having the most finesse: reminiscent of a Tempranillo and making remarkably light and refreshing wines from the south of Italy.

Violante is Rivera’s wish to marry the grapes classic complexity and marked scent of violets to a fruity and approachable wine.

Sourced from Andria in the northern part of Castel del Monte D.O.C. one of Apulia’s most exceptional wine-growing areas. Vines are planted on deep calcareous soils at an altitude of 200-230 metres and trained to the spurred cordon system at 4,800 vines per hectare. Yield is kept as low as 110 q./ha

Harvest is carried out in the mid- October. A 9-10-day maceration in stainless steel vats with careful pump-overs and micro-oxygenation ensures the extraction of aromatic and colour components without exceeding in tannin content. The technique of ‘Delestage’ is employed – a fermentation and maceration technique that gently extracts phenolic compounds by oxygenating the juice to produce a softer, less astringent wine exhibiting more fruit character. The wine is aged for 12 months in vitrified (glass lined) concrete vats undergoing more micro-oxygenation.

Nero di Troia is the least known of Puglia’s three main red grapes, the others being Negroamaro and Primitivo. But is is view by some as having the most finesse: reminiscent of a Tempranillo and making remarkably light and refreshing wines from the south of Italy.

Violante is Rivera’s wish to marry the grapes classic complexity and marked scent of violets to a fruity and approachable wine.

Sourced from Andria in the northern part of Castel del Monte D.O.C. one of Apulia’s most exceptional wine-growing areas. Vines are planted on deep calcareous soils at an altitude of 200-230 metres and trained to the spurred cordon system at 4,800 vines per hectare. Yield is kept as low as 110 q./ha

Harvest is carried out in the mid- October. A 9-10-day maceration in stainless steel vats with careful pump-overs and micro-oxygenation ensures the extraction of aromatic and colour components without exceeding in tannin content. The technique of ‘Delestage’ is employed – a fermentation and maceration technique that gently extracts phenolic compounds by oxygenating the juice to produce a softer, less astringent wine exhibiting more fruit character. The wine is aged for 12 months in vitrified (glass lined) concrete vats undergoing more micro-oxygenation.

Origin: Castel del Monte, Puglia, Italy

Grapes: Nero di Troia

Tasting Notes: Bright purple-red colour; forward complex aromas and rich bouquet that intrigues as there is no one fruit character that is to the fore. Medium-bodied palate with a great structure; fruity and mineral with a lingering and long finish

ABV: 13.0%

Vintage: 2020

Ageing potential:

Attributes:

Closure: cork

Farming:

Sustainability info: 70% of its energy needs from solar panels

Winemaker:

Winery link

Food pairing suggestions: Perfectly complements pasta with a hearty sauce, meats and ideal with the local cheese Burrata di Andria (a cow or buffalo milk cheese made from mozzarella and cream).