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Principessa NV

Producer: Luretta
Region: Emilia-Romagna
Appellation: Colli Piancentini
Country: Italy
Classification: DOC
Wine Type: Sparkling
Variety: Chardonnay
Bottle Size: 750 ml
Alcohol: 12.5%
Soil: Marl
Farming Practices: Organic with biodynamic principles
Awards: 91-James Suckling
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Cellar Profile


In a tiny northern area of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, sandwiched between Piedmont and Tuscany, sits Piacenza. It was here that Felice Salamini decided to build a small vineyard to craft fine wines from autochthonous Malvasia, Barbera and Bonarda. It was here that Luretta was born! 30 years and untold successes later, Felice’s son Lucio has taken over at the helm and the property under vine has expanded to almost 50 hectares. The philosophy of the winery is simple: stress the vines, restrict yields, use organic and biodynamic principles and craft structured, elegant wines. To that end, there is no use of fertilizers or irrigation. The vines are purposely starved of nutrients and water, with severely restricted yields to thicken skins and long hang times to ensure full phenolic ripeness. Hand-harvested and meticulously sorted, Luretta uses only Allier French oak for aging and fermentation when wood is called for.

Region


The Colli Piacentini which give the DOC its title are the hills to the south of Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna’s most westerly city. These are the foothills of the northern Apennines, which run northwest to southeast through Emilia-Romagna, providing a patchwork of terroirs among their peaks and valleys. Many of the vineyards of the Colli Piacentini are planted on the rolling hills leading up to the northern slopes of the Apennine Mountains. The vineyard soils are composed of a mix of clay, marl, sand and sandstone from the Pliocene epoch.

Vineyard


The rocky soils of the Apennine hills are laced with calcareous marl, shale and pockets of limestone. The grapes are kept struggling for water, striving for better bunches and less canopy. The strong ocean breezes, as well as the winds coming through the Apennine passes, thicken the skins and aid in polyphenolic structure. Biodynamic processes, without the use of fertilizers, are followed in these single spur-cordoned vineyards.

Varieties


Chardonnay is the world’s most famous white-wine grape and also one of the most widely planted, with the most highly regarded expressions of the variety coming from Burgundy and California. Climate plays a major role in dictating which fruit flavours a Chardonnay will have. Broadly speaking, warm regions such as California tend to give more tropical styles. While many Chardonnays have high aromatic complexity, this is usually due to winemaking techniques (particularly the use of oak) rather than the variety’s intrinsic qualities. Malolactic fermentation gives distinctive buttery aromas. Fermentation and/or maturation in oak barrels contributes notes of vanilla, smoke and hints of sweet spices such as clove and cinnamon. Extended lees contact while in barrel imparts biscuity, doughy flavours.

Winemaking


Traditional method sparkling, aged 18 months on lees after 24 day primary fermentation in stainless steel.

Tasting Notes 


Luretta Principessa is golden yellow in the glass, with a rich, mouth filling mousse. The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe fruit and white flowers. The palate is savoury, fresh and layered with intense mouth-watering acidity that leads to a lengthy, yeasty finish.