Rosso Novarese “Piane”
Le Piane has discovered the forgotten richness of the local Croatina grape. They undertook the challenging task of selecting grapes from the very best old vineyards of up to 100 years old on high hillsides (500m) around the Montalbano, Traversagna and Santuario areas — and developed a wine with tremendous character.
Appellation: Vino Rosso
Type: Red, dry
Blend: 90% Croatina, 10%, Vespolina
Color: Dark red.
Bouquet: Blackberry, black cherry, tobacco and spices.
Taste: The wine is very concentrated and the aromatics are confirmed on the palate. The dense substance gives a velvety and mineral finish.
Alcohol: 13.5-14.5% (varies with vintage).
Total Acidity: 5.3-5.6 g/l
Serving Suggestion: Serve at a 16-17°C (61-63°F) in a tall, fairly wide goblet.
Pairing: Goes very well with game and grilled red meat, hearty stews and vegetable dishes.
Production Area: Province of Novara.
Vineyards: Boca, Montalbano, Santuario.
Vineyard Age: 40 - 100 years old.
Altitude: 450-5000 meters (1,500-1,650 feet) a.s.l.
Soil: Minerally gravel, porphyry soil.
Training System: Maggiorina*
*The traditional Maggiorina training system - where three vines evolve in the four cardinal points, and form a cup.
Harvest: First half of October, by hand.
Vinification: Fermentation on the skins in stainless steel tanks and in open wood casks with rimontaggio for five-to-six days. After pressing it matures for two years in tonneaux of 500l (20% new) Bottling after 2 years of maturation.
Aging: 2-years in 500 L tonneaux and big barrels of Slavonian oak. Malolactic fermentation occuring naturallythe process.
2009 Colline Novaresi – 92 Points – Vinous Media (Mar 2014)
“The 2009 Colline Novaresi is atypically big for a wine from this appellation, but it is so, so delicious. Black fruit, tobacco, smoke and savory herbs burst from the glass in a racy, utterly impeccable wine loaded with personality and class. The Colline Novaresi is old-vine Croatina, which I haven't seen too much of. This is a fabulous wine from Le Piane.” ~ A.G.
