Country: Italy  Region: Lombardia  Vintage: 2015 Category: Rosé Wine  Color:  Rose Producer: Cà dei Frati "The Dal Cero family has transformed their Ca' dei Frati property, situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, into a model Italian estate over the past two decades. Back in 1987, they had 12 hectares of vineyard but now, following the purchase of a large chunk of prime vineyard in 2008, they have over 140 hectares. This increase in quantity has been matched by an increase in quality, and today they remain the best producer in Lugana. The quality of the wines is attributable directly to Igino Dal Cero's obsession with detail. All their fruit is picked by hand; he ensures there is no skin contact as he wants to retain delicate perfumes and enhance the supple texture; he has changed his mind on malolactic fermentation and now inhibits it in order to give the wine the lift he feels it benefits from; and he is now convinced that ageing on lees from end of fermentation gives him greater richness on the palate and the wonderful flintiness on nose that makes this wine so Burgundian in character. The 2015 Lugana is lively and scented, and continues to offer superb value. Made solely from the Turbiana variety (related to Verdicchio, it was formerly known as Trebbiano di Lugana and then Lugana), the wine has depth and zip that few from this area demonstrate. Their single vineyard Lugana, the 2014 'Brolettino', is barrel fermented and aged for 10 months. The oak is nicely integrated with the fruit to give a wonderful texture and complexity to the wine. 'Pratto', a blend of 50% Turbiana, 25% Chardonnay (both of which are barrel fermented) and 25% Sauvignon Blanc (fermented in tank), has an exotic passion fruit character while maintaining the characteristic freshness of the Ca' dei Frati wines. The 'Ronchedone' is a blend of 45% Sangiovese, 45% Marzemino and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. Like the whites, it is ripe yet elegant. Their 'Rosa dei Frati', pale pink in colour, dry and scented, is a stunner. A blend of 60% Groppello, 15% Marzemino, 15% Sangiovese and 10% Barbera, there is no better wine to bring to mind summer on the shores of Lake Garda." Winemaker: Igino Dal Cero Vineyards: The secret to the success of the Ca' dei Frati wines is their outstanding vineyards. Most producers in the zone overcrop and train the vines high. At Ca' dei Frati, the vines are trained low, newer vineyards have a higher density of planting, and yields are well below the average for the zone. Fruit for this wine came from two vineyards, 'I Frati' in Sirmione and 'La Tur' in Desenzano. The soils are a mixture of chalky clay, sand and lime. The vines are single and double Guyot trained. The yield is 9,000 kilos per hectare. Vinification: There was a short period of skin contact at the start of the vinification process to extract colour. The must was fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. After fermentation, 80% of the wine was allowed to undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine remained in tank for six months before bottling and then a further two months in bottle before release. Tasting Notes: Rosa dei Frati is light pink with a touch of 'onion skin' orange. Zesty and vibrant with aromas of summer pudding and strawberries, it is perfectly balanced with a lovely refreshing finish. Food Suggestion: Enjoy with summer salads, smoked salmon and light white meat such as grilled pork or chicken. Closure: Natural Cork  ABV:13%  Acidity [g/l]: 7