Cervaro della Sala 2012

Climate

A cold winter with little rainfall was followed by a mild spring with temperatures above seasonal averages. From June on, warm and rainless weather led to an accelerated ripening of the grapes, particularly such early-maturing varieties as Chardonnay. End of season rains gave some relief to later-ripening grapes such as Grechetto and allowed this part of the crop to ripen while maintaining good levels of freshness and aromatic fragrance. Intelligent, on the spot observation of the grapes and timely, careful picking, which began during the middle of August, guaranteed a harvest of fresh and healthy grapes and a wine with an excellent balance of acidity and alcohol.

Vinification

The Chardonnay and the Grechetto were fermented separately; the Chardonnay must macerated on its skins for four to six hours at temperatures around 50° Fahrenheit (10° centigrade) and then went into 60 gallon French oak barrels, where fermentation lasted approximately 18 days. It remained in barrel on its fine lees for an additional six months and during this period completed its malolactic fermentation. The Grechetto, instead, fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks. The two grape varieties were then blended and the finished wine bottled. A further ten month period of bottle aging in the historic cellars of the Castello della Sala preceded commercial release.

Tasting Notes

A luminous yellow in color with greenish highlights, the wine, despite a hot vintage, maintains the savory freshness of the Mediterranean style thanks to a slightly early harvest of the grapes. The nose shows notes of chamomile, flint, and tropical fruit. The palate is mineral and the vibrant flavors fuse, with a perfect elegance, with the buttery notes and thelight touches of vanilla.

Awards

Gambero Rosso "Vini d'Italia 2015" guide Tre Bicchieri Italy I Vini Di Veronelli 2015 Super Tre Stelle Italy Annuario L. Maroni 90/100 Italy Bibenda Guide 2015 5 grappoli Italy James Suckling 96/100 USA

The Wine

The name Cervaro comes from the noble family that owned Castello della Sala during the 14th century, Monaldeschi della Cervara. A blend of Chardonnay grapes and a small quantity of Grechetto make a wine that can age over time and represent the elegance and complexity of this unique estate. Cervaro della Sala is one of the first Italian white wines to have malolactic fermentation and aging take place in barriques. The first vintage of Cervaro to be produced was the 1985 vintage.

Climate

The 2022 growing season in Orvieto began with warmer temperatures and dry conditions during both winter and spring. The month of June saw no precipitation and registered several heat spikes. Despite these climatic conditions, the vines did not suffer drought stress due to existing pedoclimatic conditions in Castello della Sala’s vineyards. Rain showers at the beginning of August revitalized both the vines and fruit allowing the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. This year’s dry weather ensured perfectly whole, healthy berries, minimized vineyard maintenance, and produced well-balanced, healthy fruit with a good aromatic profile. Harvesting activities of Chardonnay for Cervaro della Sala, which was of exceptional quality, got underway the third week of August. The grapes were fully mature, with outstanding freshness and had an excellent aromatic profile. Grechetto was harvested three weeks later, towards mid-September.

Vinification

The vinification cellar was designed to take full advantage of gravity flow; a concept that allows us to handle the harvested berries and fermentation processes as gently as possible without the use of mechanical pumps. The grapes are harvested in the early morning hours to preserve the purity of the fruit and protect it from elevated daytime temperatures. The must, which has undergone maceration on the skins at a temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) for about four hours, is first transferred by gravity flow into tanks for decantation and clarification, then transferred into barriques where alcoholic fermentation takes place followed by partial malolactic fermentation. In February, Chardonnay is ready to be transferred back into stainless steel vats and blended with Grechetto, which was fermented separately and did not age in oak. Afterwards, Cervaro della Sala aged in the bottle for several months in Castello della Sala’s historic cellars before being released for sale.

Historical Data

The name Cervaro comes from the noble family that owned Castello della Sala during the 14th century, Monaldeschi della Cervara. A blend of Chardonnay grapes and a small quantity of Grechetto make a wine that can age over time and represent the elegance and complexity of this unique estate. Cervaro della Sala is one of the first Italian wines to have malolactic fermentation and aging take place in barriques. The first vintage of Cervaro to be produced was the 1985 vintage.

Tasting Notes

Cervaro della Sala 2022 is a light straw yellow in color with greenish hues. The nose presents slight smoky notes of cedar and flint followed by floral hints of Spanish broom and mimosa blossoms. The palate is vibrant, fresh characterized by notes of vanilla, lemon butter and small pastries. Cervaro della Sala has outstanding aging potential but can be enjoyed immediately.

Castello della Sala

Castello della Sala is located in the Umbria region, not far from the Tuscan border, about 18 kilometers from the historic city of Orvieto. The Medieval castle’s property extends over an area of 600 hectares (1482 acres), 229 hectares (495 acres) are planted with vineyards at an altitude that varies between 220 and 470 meters above sea level (722/1541 feet) on the gently rolling hillsides that characterize the beautiful countryside in this area. Castello della Sala is the perfect place for growing white varieties. The vines grow in clay and calcareous based soils, rich in fossil shells, and they are well exposed to the rising of the sun with an excellent difference of temperature between day and night. The one exception to the rule is Pinot Noir, the only red variety that has found in this area ideal growing conditions to best express its full potential.