Country: Italy  Region: Veneto  Vintage: 2020 Category: Pinot Grigio  Color:  White  Producer: Alpha Zeta VINTAGEVintage 2020 started with a cool and wet spring, which allowed agood flowering. Summer was not too warm. There were two casesof hail at the beginning of harvest but luckily, most of the vineswere unaffected. This led to an early harvest of the white grapes,which were at a perfect level of ripening, with a great colour. Theproduction was on average in terms of quantity.PRODUCERAlpha Zeta was started in 1999 when Liberty Wines set out toproduce a range of modern, fruit-driven wines from the hillsoutside Verona. Working with leading New Zealand winemaker,Matt Thomson, our aim was to work with growers (rather than buybulk wine, which is standard among most wines from Verona atthis price) to obtain ripe grapes (by reducing yields and pickinglater) and then, using Matt's expertise, preserve these flavours inthe finished wines. The result is a realisation of the potentialinherent in Veronese viniculture.VINEYARDSThe nine-hectare Terrapieno vineyard is situated at 100-400 metresabove sea level in the Valpantena Valley in eastern Valpolicella.The sites are slightly cooler so the grapes ripen later impartingmore precise and elegant flavours in the wines. The soil is poor andwell-drained, made of granite and decomposed volcanic rock.The vines are 20-30 years old on average and are trained usingboth the traditional Pergola Veronese and Guyot system.VINIFICATIONThe grapes were hand harvested, destemmed, crushed andchilled at 10°C on the way to the press to minimise the extractionof skin phenolics. The juice was chilled immediately and naturallysettled. Fermentation took place in 1200HL stainless-steel tanks attemperatures of 12°-14°C to retain fruit flavours. The cool andgentle handling ensured that there was no need for harsh fining,preserving the wine's delicate aromas.TASTING NOTESThis single vineyard Pinot Grigio has great intensity of flavour andbalance. It has lifted aromas of pear and bread crust, typical forPinot Grigio of this region. The nose gives way to lovely weight anda silky texture on the palate, with hints of dried herbs. The winefinishes dry with a zesty acidity and a saline minerality on the finish.