Salvetta Vigneti Delle Dolomiti Nosiola 2021

Azienda Agricola Salvetta farms at Sarche, in the valley below the Dolomites in northern Italy, an estate Dario Salvetta bought in the early 1930s and now run by his grandson Francesco. Nosiola is an old native grape of Trentino, best known locally as the base for the region's sweet Vino Santo, though here it is made dry. Its name comes from nocciola, the Italian for hazelnut, a reference to the nutty character it develops. The vineyards sit on stony alpine soils with cool nights and warm days, and that wide daily temperature swing keeps the acidity high while the fruit ripens slowly. The wine spends nine months in large old foudres, so it gains texture and roundness from the lees without picking up oak flavour, since the casks are neutral. Malolactic fermentation adds to the softer, broader feel. The colour is pale straw. The nose brings pear, green apple and white flowers over a light toasted hazelnut note, and the palate is dry, fresh and delicate, with a gentle almond bitterness on the finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees.