Country: Italy   Region: Lugana, Lombardia Varietal: 60% Groppello, 15% Marzemino, 15% Sangiovese, 10% Barbera Vintage: 2018   Colour: White  Style: Dry Producer: Cá dei Frati PRODUCERThe Dal Cero family has transformed their Ca' dei Frati property,situated on the southern shores of Lake Garda, into a model Italianestate over the past two decades. Back in 1987, they had 12hectares of vineyard but now, following the purchase of a largechunk of prime vineyard in 2008, they have over 160 hectares. Thisincrease in quantity has been matched by an increase in qualityand today they remain the best producer in Lugana.VINEYARDSThe secret to the success of the Ca' dei Frati wines is theiroutstanding vineyards. Most producers in the zone overcrop andtrain the vines high. At Ca' dei Frati, the vines are trained low,newer vineyards have a higher density of planting, and yields arewell below the average for the zone. Fruit for this wine came fromtwo vineyards, 'I Frati' in Sirmione and 'La Tur' in Desenzano. Thesoils are a mixture of chalky clay, sand and lime. The vines aresingle and double Guyot trained. The yield is 9 tonnes per hectare.VINIFICATIONThere was a short period of skin contact at the start of thevinification process to extract colour. The must was fermented intemperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before remaining intank on fine lees for six months before bottling and then a furthertwo months in bottle before release.TASTING NOTESRosa dei Frati is light pink in colour with a touch of 'onion skin'orange. Zesty and vibrant with aromas of summer pudding andstrawberries, it is perfectly balanced with a lovely refreshing finish.