Vigna d'Antan 2020
DOC Ticino, Brivio, 750 ml
| Grape variety: | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc |
| Producer: | Brivio / Gialdi |
| Origin: | Switzerland / Tessin / Sottoceneri |
| Other vintages: |
Description
Sparkling ruby colour with brilliant purple hue. Fresh touches of blackberry and raspberry on the nose. Clean and well-structured on palate. Aromas of black pepper, liquorice and blackcurrant. The finish is firm with power and plenty of punch.
Attributes
| Origin: | Switzerland / Tessin / Sottoceneri |
| Grape variety: | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc |
| Label: | Vegan |
| Ripening potential: | 2 to 10 years after harvest |
| Drinking temperature: | 16 to 18 °C |
| Food Pairing: | Brasato di manzo al Barolo, Châteaubriand, Filet Wellington, Roast veal with morel sauce, Saltimbocca, Scaloppine di vitello al limone, Risotto with ceps |
| Vinification: | short must fermentation, fermentation in steel tank, biological acid degradation in barrel |
| Harvest: | strict selection, in small boxes |
| Maturation: | in partly new and used barriques/ Pièces, short cultivation |
| Bottling: | no filtration |
| Maturation duration: | 15 months |
| Volume: | 14.0 % |
| Note: | Contains sulphites |
Brivio / Gialdi
For most of wine lovers in Switzerland, the name Guido Brivio is no unknown. However, abroad, it is a different story. Only after many years in the trade has he become among the wine experts and professionals of New York or London an insider tip, so to say, from an infinitesimally tiny unknown corner in the great international wine world.
Although Guido’s grandfather was a wine merchant, he didn’t grow up in this industry, or even on a wine estate. At home, life didn’t revolve around grapes, but artichokes! His mother and uncle jointly possessed the Swiss production rights for Cynar. Only after studying business in London did the young Guido decide to study oenology in Bordeaux. His mother was delighted, as she saw that a certain family tradition could now continue. There then followed a stay in Sonoma Valley, California, where he became acquainted with American wine producers’ carefree, adventurous way of working.
Cabernet Franc
Forefather of the Bordeaux varieties
The Cabernet Franc is one of the oldest varieties of Bordelais and a parent of three other red grapes in the Bordeaux assortment: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Carmenère. It is distinguished by its complex, flavourful bouquet of raspberry, graphite, violet, liquorice and white pepper. In addition, it presents round, crisp tannins which turn out less strongly than those of Cabernet Sauvignon. While the Cabernet Franc always appears as part of a blend in Bordeaux, it is pressed alone on the Loire. The most renowned appellations are Chinon and Bourgueil. Incidentally, the Cabernet originates not in Bordeaux but in the Spanish Basque Country. Cabernet owes its name to the Latin “carbon”, meaning black.
Merlot
Everybody’s darling
Merlot is the most charming member of the Bordeaux family. It shines with rich colour, fragrant fullness, velvety tannins and sweet, plummy fruit. It even makes itself easy for the vintner, as it matures without issue in cool years as well. This is in contrast to the stricter Cabernet Sauvignon, which it complements as a blending partner. Its good qualities have made the Merlot famous worldwide. At over 100,000 hectares, it is the most-planted grape in France. It also covers large areas in California, Italy, Australia and recently in Eastern Europe. The only catch is that pure Merlot varieties rarely turn out well. Its charm is often associated with a lack of substance. Only the best specimens improve with maturity. They then develop complex notes of leather and truffles. This succeeds in the top wines from the Bordeaux appellation of Pomerol and those from Ticino, among others.
Cabernet Sauvignon
The backbone of Bordeaux
The Cabernet Sauvignon gives the Bordeaux its backbone, yielding deep violet wines with powerful tannins and endless ripening potential. It is the top dog in Médoc, and is placed in all five premier crus of Bordelais. When young, it often appears strict and unapproachable, but with advancing years, its tannins round off. It is wonderfully velvety, and yet always maintains its freshness. Typical flavours include cassis, graphite and cedar. Wherever Cabernet Sauvignon is found, Merlot is not far away. It complements the robust structure of Cabernet with softness, fruit and richness. The Cabernet Sauvignon is the most-exported vine in the world. It delivers persuasive qualities in Italy as an ingredient of the Super Tuscan, or as the flagship variety from California. There, it is lovingly titled “Cab Sauv”. Meat fans should be aware that it fantastically accompanies a grilled entrecôte. The family tree of Cabernet Sauvignon is surprising: its parents are Cabernet Franc and the white Sauvignon blanc.
Tessin
Ticino: the Merlot Mecca of Switzerland
Ticino winegrowing is thought to date from Roman times, as early as 2000 years ago. But the foundation for today’s viticulture was laid just over 100 years ago, in 1907. It was then that the first Merlot vines were planted at Castelrotto in Malcantone. Since then, the variety has emerged triumphant here. Top selections matured in barriques more than measure up to those from Bordeaux’s Saint-Émilion or Pomerol regions.
Switzerland
Switzerland – A small country with enormous diversity
Switzerland is famous for its banks, watches, and cheese, but not necessarily for its wine. The Swiss didn't invent wine, but they have been extremely open and curious to it. Wine culture arrived in what is now modern Switzerland via several routes: from Marseilles to Lake Geneva and the Lower Valais region; from the Aosta Valley through the Great St. Bernard Pass to the rest of Valais; from the Rhone through Burgundy, across the Jura Mountains to Lake Constance; and from Lombardy to Ticino, and then on to Grisons.
