Muffato della Sala
Climate
The 2010 vintage was, on the whole, a cool one with a cold and rainy winter marked by frequent dips in temperature. The period from the second half of April until late June was often stormy. There were twenty days of rainfall, which increased the vigor and growth of the vines despite low temperatures from May 10th to May 20th. From June 20th on, the rains stopped and warm and sunny days in July favored the arrival of the color change in the grapes. Against expectations, August was cooler than usual, slowing ripening and delaying the start of picking by ten days. Thanks to the favorable weather, noble rot covered the grapes, concentrating the sugars and adding aromatic complexity. The harvest began at the end of October with the Gewürztraminer and continued with the Riesling, the Sauvignon, and Sémillon, concluding in late November with the Grechetto.
Vinification
The grapes come from the Castello della Sala vineyards, located between 650 and 1150 feet (200-350 meters) above sea level on clay soils rich in marine fossils. The picking was entirely by hand with a series of successive passages through the vineyard to harvest berries touched by the noble rot. The crop was then further inspected and selected on a conveyor belt in the cellars. The grapes were then lightly pressed without destemming. The must fermented for 18 days at a temperature of approximately 63° Fahrenheit (17° centigrade). The wine, still sweet, then went into barrels of Allier and Tronçais oak were it aged for six months before blending and bottling.
Historical Data
Muffato della Sala is produced with grapes with “noble rot”, harvested in late October and early November to allow the morning mists to develop of Botrytis Cinerea, or noble rot on the grape berries. This type of mould concentrates the water of the crop, its sugars, and its aromas, endowing the Muffato della Sala with a harmonious and unmistakable fragrance. The first year to be produced was the 1987 and consisted of the blend of varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc (50%); Grechetto (30%) and Drupeggio (20%). The composition of the blend has varied over the years and now has attained its definitive results. Muffato della Sala is a fascinating wine, an expression, in small quantities, of the nature of a unique terroir.
Tasting Notes
A classic golden yellow, luminous and intense, in color. The nose is delicate and elegant with and light floral notes, but the dominant aromas are those of ripe peach and apricot fruit along with subtle notes of citrus fruit and minerals. The palate fully brings out the sensations on the nose on its long and persistent finish and aftertaste, which shows an exemplary balance between sweetness and a vibrant freshness.
Awards
Antonio Galloni 90/100 USA Gambero Rosso Guide Due Bicchieri Italy I Vini dell'Espresso Guide 17/20 Italy
The Wine
This fascinating wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Grechetto, Traminer, Sémillon and Riesling affected by Botrytis Cinerea (noble rot). The morning mists and local microclimate favour the development of this rot which reduces the water content of the grapes. The resulting concentration of sugars and aromas give the Muffato its special and unmistakeable flavour.
Climate
The 2010 vintage was, on the whole, a cool one with a cold and rainy winter marked by frequent dips in temperature. The period from the second half of April until late June was often stormy. There were twenty days of rainfall, which increased the vigor and growth of the vines despite low temperatures from May 10th to May 20th. From June 20th on, the rains stopped and warm and sunny days in July favored the arrival of the color change in the grapes. Against expectations, August was cooler than usual, slowing ripening and delaying the start of picking by ten days. Thanks to the favorable weather, noble rot covered the grapes, concentrating the sugars and adding aromatic complexity. The harvest began at the end of October with the Gewürztraminer and continued with the Riesling, the Sauvignon, and Sémillon, concluding in late November with the Grechetto.
Vinification
The grapes come from the Castello della Sala vineyards, located between 650 and 1150 feet (200-350 meters) above sea level on clay soils rich in marine fossils. The picking was entirely by hand with a series of successive passages through the vineyard to harvest berries touched by the noble rot. The crop was then further inspected and selected on a conveyor belt in the cellars. The grapes were then lightly pressed without destemming. The must fermented for 18 days at a temperature of approximately 63° Fahrenheit (17° centigrade). The wine, still sweet, then went into barrels of Allier and Tronçais oak were it aged for six months before blending and bottling.
Historical Data
Muffato della Sala is produced with grapes with “noble rot”, harvested in late October and early November to allow the morning mists to develop of Botrytis Cinerea, or noble rot on the grape berries. This type of mould concentrates the water of the crop, its sugars, and its aromas, endowing the Muffato della Sala with a harmonious and unmistakable fragrance. The first year to be produced was the 1987 and consisted of the blend of varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc (50%); Grechetto (30%) and Drupeggio (20%). The composition of the blend has varied over the years and now has attained its definitive results. Muffato della Sala is a fascinating wine, an expression, in small quantities, of the nature of a unique terroir.
Tasting Notes
A classic golden yellow, luminous and intense, in color. The nose is delicate and elegant with and light floral notes, but the dominant aromas are those of ripe peach and apricot fruit along with subtle notes of citrus fruit and minerals. The palate fully brings out the sensations on the nose on its long and persistent finish and aftertaste, which shows an exemplary balance between sweetness and a vibrant freshness.
Awards
Antonio Galloni 90/100 USA Gambero Rosso Guide Due Bicchieri Italy I Vini dell'Espresso Guide 17/20 Italy
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), 200 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.
Soil
Clay soils rich in deposits of marine fossils.
Antinori Estates
Estates in Italy
