One thing is more than just sure: there
are doubtlessly niente problemi to find wines from super scarce,
super autochthonous and super great grape varieties in super bella
Italia! In combination with the right – well, actually not the best term to use in this case, I guess ;-) – music, this Happening Now Tasting must be a real ripper!
Like last year I'd like to pay a visit to bellissima Sardegna. More
precise, to Alghero on the north western coast of the island. This
area of of Sardinia was, and still is - at least in respect of the
local language, influenced by Catalan-Aragonese culture. This certain
influence even applies to today's super scarce varity called Torbato.
Some wine historians suggest that Torbato,was brought to Sardinia in
the middle ages by settlers – or, if you like conquerors - from
Aragon. Today just about 50 hectares of Torbato are still alive and
kicking, Besides Sardinia it is only cultivated on a few hectares in
Côtes du Roussillon area. There it is called Tourbat or Malvoisie du
Roussillon. My Torbato was produced by the local wine giant Sella &
Mosca. Actually so far the only producer who dedicated itself to the "restoration“ of this old traditional variety. The vines for
today's Torbato Terre Bianchi Cuvée 161 2014 were cultivated on highly
meagre coastal white limestone and assorted white marine sediments.
Well, after all it is called Terre Bianchi. Harvest was between late
September and early October 2014. Plenty of skin contact and temperature controlled fermentatio for 20 days in stainless steel (approx. 90%) and used oak
barrique barrels (approx. 10%) were the next steps of vinification. The subsequent aging in stainless steel was quite short. Let's have the first sip ...
