Grape Variety: Brachetto

Colour: Red

Time to unearth another minor jewel in the Piedmontese treasure wine made today.  The Brachetto grape is found chiefly in the Acqui district in southern Piedmont not far from the towns of Asti and Alessandria, two other famous wine towns in this great region.

Generally it conveys wonderful aromas of black raspberry and black cherry with notes of tar, clove and flowers such as violets or orchids. The wine is medium-bodied with a trace of sweetness (a few are medium-sweet) and is usually lightly sparkling. Even more appealing is the rock-bottom alcohol - usually 5.5% or Moscato d’Asti territory, the perfect accompaniment to strawberries or chocolate, or strawberries and chocolate!

The Sottimanos make their own idiosyncratic version which is fermented to dryness and reveals a bitter-cherry Ripasso-style dryness. The fermentation and the maceration on the skins normally take about 7-8 days. It is natural process - no selected yeasts are used.

The malolactic fermentation is completed in stainless steel, where the wine remains for approximately 8 months. There is no filtering and no fining prior to bottling. Ruby red this Brachetto is floral with hints of violet and raspberry leaf and dry, very velvety palate reminiscent of wild rose. Food? Thick noodles with wild hare and a chocolate reduction sauce.