2020 Nervi "Rosa" Rosato, Coste della Sesia, Piemonte, Italy (750ml)   

This lovely still Rosato from Azienda Vitivinicola Nervi is a blend of 90% Nebbiolo and 10% Uva Rara. It was aged in stainless steel for four months on its lees and another month in bottle before release. This is a really distinctive and delicious rosé that shows the delicate side of Nebbiolo with pretty rose and violet aromas on the nose, perfectly pitched subtle red berry and blood orange flavors on the palate and those unmistakable lightly chalky Nebbiolo tannins on the finish that give the wine structure and balance.

It’s a rosé that almost needs food and would pair well with hard alpine cheese, salty cured meats or even grilled chicken dishes. Nervi was founded by Luigi Nervi in 1906 and has a fascinating history that goes back centuries to the year 1242 when its Valferana vineyard was referenced in the municipal deeds of Gattinara. Nervi is also the oldest winery in the DOCG of Gattinara, which is one of the six main appellations of Alto Piemonte, north of Barolo and Barbaresco. The estate is nestled in the foothills of Monte Rosa, Europe's second highest mountain, where it is protected from cold northerly winds with only warm breezes and limited rainfall. The 24 hectares of Nebbiolo vines are spread across the sloping hills of the three crus of Garavoglie, Molsino and Valferana which all enjoy south facing and significantly long hours of exposure to the sun. The equally significant diurnal temperature shift from day to night helps maintain acidity and freshness in the grapes.