Azienda Vitivinicola MO Cisterna d’Asti DOC sup

Azienda Vitivinicola MO Cisterna d’Asti DOC sup from Piedmont, Italy. The passion of a family that has managed vineyards from father to son for over a century. The younger generation pays close attention to the winemaking process, using traditional cultivation and natural technologies without the use of herbicides or chemical fertilizers, right through to vinification and bottling. Traditional cultivation, no herbicides or chemical fertilizers; hand harvest; vineyards on hillsides with sandy and mineral soils. Grapes: 80% Croatina; Color: Garnet red of medium intensity. Aroma: Intense and complex, with aromas of cherries (marasca), blackberries, and orange peel; floral notes (lavender, etc.) are also present, with some herbs/balsam (such as bay leaf) later present. Palate: Well-balanced; structured, soft texture, fine tannins, lovely acidity, and juicy fullness. Finish/Persistence: Fairly long with notes of fruit and herbs. Pairs well with dishes containing meat sauce (ragù), and also with well-aged cheeses.

Croatina is a red Italian wine grape variety grown primarily in the Oltrepò Pavese region of Lombardy and the Province of Piacenza in Emilia Romagna, as well as in parts of Piedmont and Veneto. In the Oltrepò Pavese, the Piacenza Hills, Cisterna d’Asti and San Damiano d’Asti (Province of Asti), and Roero, it is called Bonarda. However, it should not be confused with Bonarda piemontese, an unrelated vine. In the Piedmont region, it is sometimes blended with Nebbiolo in wines from Novara and the Vercelli Hills.