Rotari Riserva Brut 1998
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Rotari is created in Trentino, in the heart of the Italian Alps: with its peaks and deep valleys, its lakes and forests, its mountain climate and fresh breezes, the region designs the perfect environment for the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, grown in the steeply terraced vineyards ranging from 950 to 2,500 feet in altitude. Here, the Chardonnay expresses its fresh and fruity character in the best way, while the Pinot Noir succeeds in contributing a particular structure and richness. This is the purest of environments in which the perfect combination of grapes, terrain and variety of microclimates gives life to the elegant and intense bubbles that are the expression of the Trentodoc.
Metodo Classico is the oldest and most prestigious method for producing sparkling wine, based on secondary fermentation in the bottle. The Rotari style is unmistakable; the bubbles are intense and fragrant, elegant and refined, with aromas that are reminiscent of the territory.
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
A mountainous northern Italian region heavily influenced by German culture, Trentino-Alto Adige is actually made up of two separate but similar regions: Alto Adige and Trentino.
Trentino, the southern half, is primarily Italian-speaking and largely responsible for the production of non-native, international grapes. There is a significant quantity of Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Merlot produced. But Trentino's native and most unique red variety, Teroldego, while still rare, is gaining popularity. It produces a deeply colored red wine rich in wild blackberry, herb, coffee and cocoa.
The rugged terrain of German-speaking Alto Adige (also referred to as Südtirol) focuses on small-scale viticulture, with great value placed on local varieties—though international varieties have been widely planted since the 1800s. Sheltered by the Alps from harsh northerly winds, many of the best vineyards are at extreme altitude but on steep slopes to increase sunlight exposure.
Dominant red varieties include the bold, herbaceous Lagrein and delicate, strawberry-kissed, Schiava, in addition to some Pinot Nero.
The primary white grapes are Pinot grigio, Gewürztraminer, Chardonnay and Pinot blanc, as well as smaller plantings of Sauvignon blanc, Müller Thurgau. These tend to be bright and refreshing with crisp acidity and just the right amount of texture. Some of the highest quality Pinot grigio in Italy is made here.