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Month: July 2012

Musella: Passion for precision

On the hills of San Martino Buon Albergo, is Tenuta Musella, one of the most beautiful estates of the Veneto region. Rich in forests, rivers, ancient courts and chapels, farming estates and houses, all within a single, completely fenced area. A splendid aristocratic villa, dating back to the seventeenth century, stands at the centre of the estate.

The oldest roots of the family of the counts Muselli, presumably the first proprietors of the Tenuta, date back to the sixteenth century. But it is not until the second half of the nineteenth century that one hears about the winemaking tradition of the area, established by Cesare Trezza di Musella. He introduced innovative viticultural practices, thus initiating what was to become a major venture for the Tenuta. In 1990, the Tenuta loses its original unity, but in 1995 the winery purchases all the vineyards and structures that were eventually restored and converted into the cellars and offices.

Since 2008, The estate is in the process of converting to biodynamics under the supervision of gifted winemaker Maddalena Pasqua. Pasqua’s meticulous work and dedication has propelled Tenuta Musella amongst the top wine estates in the world. It’s obvious to the contented band of devotees who have followed the estate over the years that the wines are becoming even brighter, more vibrant and pure as a result of her passion for precision.

The winery owns three vineyards for a total of 24 hectares on three different hills, rich in forest and natural oasis: Monte del Drago, Perlar and Palazzina. The variety of soil compositions and favourable exposure, mainly to the West, guarantee an interesting combination. The estate itself extends on a total area of almost 400 hectares.

The Musella family is a member of “Le Famiglie dell’Amarone d’Arte” or The Amarone Families. A very prestigious group composed of twelve historical producers who promote and protect the tradition, quality and integrity of Amarone.

Click here to find out more about the wines of Musella in British Columbia or click here for Alberta

Bodega Renacer: Sustainable Malbecs

Bodega Renacer is a boutique winery that specializes in Malbec and produces only four wines: Punto Final Clasico, Punto Final Reserva, Enamore and Renacer.

The winery was built in 2004 in Perdriel, Lujan de Cuyo, in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. It is a fusion between classic and modern architecture: well-defined, straight lines combine with Tuscan-inspired walls to provide a highly attractive and unique building.

Renacer is equipped with top of the line Italian technology: we have 550,000 litres of stainless steel tanks and 280,000 litres of underground cement tanks sealed with epoxy for aging and all tanks have computerized temperature control. Currently the winery is expanding its capacity with the construction of a new underground cement tank facility with a capacity of 1,081,000 litres.

Renacer is under the supervision of talented winemakers: the Tuscany-born Alberto Antonini, who is considered as one of the most renowned flying winemakers from Italy, and the Mendocenean Hector Durigutti, who has extensive knowledge about Malbec and the terroir. The winemakers have developed a great synergy and together produce splendid wines that have been praised by the international press.

Vines

Renacer’s vineyards are located in Perdriel, a unique zone in Mendoza, Argentina where the soil, altitude, climate, and water come together to create the perfect growing environment for Malbec. The winery has over 29 hectares of Malbec (some of which are more than 50 years old) with yields of less than 8 tons per hectare.

In addition to their own vineyards, Renacer works with and buys from local producers to take advantage of the different terroirs found in Mendoza, such as the Uco Valley, Lujan de Cuyo and Medrano.

The winery uses water that comes from the melted Andean snows. This pure water transforms arid Mendoza into an oasis which, in conjunction with the irrigation system that carefully measures each drop of water that is given to the vines, creates small, high quality grapes.

Sustainability

One of the most sustainable wineries in Argentina, Bodega Renacer is committed to protecting the environment. They are the first winery in Argentina to be certified carbon neutral. They use 100% eco friendly bottles, with a lighter weight (15% less glass, reduced carbon emissions), and a recyclable carton case.

They store the water that flows from the Andes Mountains in natural ponds, which provide the vines only with the water that they need and nothing more, thus maximizing its use. The used water is returned to the environment in its natural state, free of chemicals or foreign substances.

Renacer continues innovating and improving their commitment to the land and vineyards, and always ensures that the natural resources are protected.

Click here to find out more about the wines of Bodega Renacer in British Columbia or click here for Alberta

 

Les Halos de Jupiter by Philippe Cambie

Originally from Pézenas in the Languedoc, Philippe Cambie began his wine consulting career in Châteauneuf-du-Pape in 1998 and is now one of the most sought after enologist in the area. He works with over 20 estates including such greats as Les Cailloux, Vieux Donjon, Clos du Mont Olivet, Saint Prefert, Clos Saint Jean, Tardieu-Laurent, and many others. Halos de Jupiter is his own project in partnership with Michel Gassier, the proprietor of Château de Nages in the Costières de Nîmes. These are small production wines sourced from great vineyards that Cambie has unique access to because of his many relationships in the region.

“According to poets, Jupiter (Zeus in Greek) is the father, the king of all gods and humans. He rules on Mount Olympus and his power is such that he can shake the entire universe by a simple nod of the head. He also represents the spiritual world, organizes the exterior world and is the god of all physical, moral and social rules. According to Mircea Eliade, he is the archetypical head of a patriarchal family. Jupiter is also the biggest planet of our solar system and its Halo is the closest of the three rings that surround the planet.

For me, Grenache is the king of all grapes and the natural leader of all Rhône varietals. The Halo symbolizes the appellations that best express its personality.”

-Phillippe Cambie, Oenologist

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Andrea Oberto: Modernista in Barolo?

The 40 acre estate is run by Andrea Oberto and his son Fabio. Andrea founded the estate and started bottling the wines in 1978. Before then, the Obertos grew grapes and sold them off. Since 1978 the winery has grown quite a bit, but it is still family owned and operated. Andrea mainly works in the vineyard and Fabio is in charge of the winery operations. The estate is located in La Morra, one of the eleven communes of the Barolo DOCG.

Oberto has made a great name as a bit of a modernista in Barolo – fair enough, with all of the brand new barriques in the cellar. However, the urge to classify a producer who uses barrique as modernist should be tempered by the realization that little NEW barrique is used – wines are often aged in second and third season barrels.

With a brand-new winery, and an annual production of around 100,000 bottles. The passion that Andrea dedicates to his craft has not changed however: while other producers have preferred to delegate the work in the vineyards, he continues to tend his vines with enthusiasm, assisted by his son Fabio and wife Ornella.

The Barolos from La Morra are known as the most perfumed and graceful of Barolo. Besides the regular Barolo, the Obertos make three prestigious single vineyard DOCG wines: Vigneto Albarella, Vigneto Rocche, and Vigneto Brunate. The estate is also well known for its Barbera Giada.

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Castiglion del Bosco: Centuries of tradition

One of the oldest estates in Tuscany, located on the Via Francigena pilgrim route to Rome, Castiglion del Bosco has an incredibly rich history. Today the team at Castiglion del Bosco consider themselves to be stewards for this historic treasure, preserving and continuing its legacy.

While winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco has been a craft for centuries, until fairly recently the vineyards were cultivated solely for personal consumption by each family living on the Estate. Today, Castiglion del Bosco wines are consistently recognized for their excellence.

As one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, the organization that regulates and controls the quality of Brunello production, Castiglion del Bosco introduced the world to its exemplary vintages through the emergence of a commercial operation in the late 1950s. In 2004, acclaimed international Wine Master Nicolo D’Afflitto took command of winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco, along with locally trained enologist Cecilia Leoneschi. Under their careful direction, the Estate is yielding more modern Brunellos that are attracting critical acclaim.

The fundamental goal of winemaking at Castiglion del Bosco is to remain faithful to the land and the characteristics of the grapes. Everyone at Castiglion del Bosco has the unique opportunity to help contribute to this goal and participate in all aspects of the vinification process, from picking and sorting to bottling and tasting.

Click here to find out more about the wines of Castiglion del Bosco in British Columbia or click here for Alberta