Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Bianco 2022

VIGNETI DEL VULTURE PIPOLI GRECO FIANO

Valentino Sciotti (of Vesevo, Gran Sasso and other Farnese estates) took over this small co-operative in Basilicata in Acerenza in the heart of the Aglianico del Vulture zone in 2008. Consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini works with Manuel Barbone, and together they manage to capture the character of the grapes and the zone superbly in the bottle.

The low trained vineyards are situated on the volcanic slopes of Mount Vulture at altitudes of up to 800 metres. The long slow growing season, due to the high altitude of the vineyards, ensures that Vulture is one of the last areas in Italy to harvest, so late ripening native grapes such as Greco, Fiano and Aglianico are ideally suited to the poor soils of this zone.

Winter saw cold temperatures and frequent rains. The beginning of the growing season was marked by abundant rains, followed by a hot and dry period. The harvest was abundant; the hillsides gave lower quantities of very high quality grapes, whilst the lower lying vineyards produced higher quantities than usual.

The grapes were gently crushed and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks at 10°C. All handling of the juice is done in an oxygen free environment in order to preserve the fresh aroma of this wine. The wine is aged in stainless steel tanks on its lees.

Pale lemon in colour, with perfumes of tropical fruit and a touch of vegetal notes. Rich yet fresh with a lime zest character, which comes from the Greco fruit, balancing the richness.