Rivera Moscato di Trani Dolce Piani di Tufara 2013
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Winemaker Notes
Sebastiano de Corato founded Azienda Vinicola Rivera in the early 1950s. His son Carlo continued focusing on Nero di Troia and Montepulciano for the reds but also started experimenting with non-indigenous white grapes such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon. A long period of testing the adaptability of such Northern varieties to torrid Apulia was necessary, but the venture ultimately led to very successful results. The inclusion of such varietals in the Castel del Monte DOC represented an important step for Rivera and for Apulian viticulture as a whole. Carlo's sons, Sebastiano, and recently his brother Marco, have joined their father in the management of the estate.
There are hundreds of white grape varieties grown throughout the world. Some are indigenous specialties capable of producing excellent single varietal wines. Each has its own distinct viticultural characteristics, as well as aroma and flavor profiles.
Well-suited to the production of concentrated, fruity and spicy red varieties, Puglia is one of Italy’s warmest, most southerly regions. Its entire eastern side is one long coastline bordering the Adriatic Sea. About half way down, the region becomes the Salento Peninsula. This peninsula, bordered by water on three sides, receives moist, nighttime, sea breezes that bring a welcome cooling effect to the region, where little rain creates a challenging environment for its vines. In fact, the region is named for the Italian expression, “a pluvia,” meaning “lack of rain.”
Puglia’s Mediterranean climate and iron-rich, calcareous soils support the indigenous Primitivo, Negroamaro and Nero di Troia. Primitivo produces an inky, spicy, brambly and ripe red wine whose best expression comes from Manduria. Nero di Troia produces tannic, rustic reds from Castel del Monte DOC while Negroamaro, typically blended with Malvasia nera, plays a large part in may blends made throughout the peninsula.
Puglia produces a small amount of white wines as well, predominantly made of the fruity, Trebbiano Toscano, or light, Bombino bianco grapes.