Winemaker Notes
Rosso di Valtellina DOC is a good introduction to the wines of the Valtellina, the northernmost sub-zone in the Lombardy region. The vineyards are set against the backdrop of the Rhaetian Alps, at altitudes of up to 700 m.a.s.l. Tenuta Scerscé "Nettare" Rosso di Valtellina is 100% Nebbiolo, locally known as Chiavennasca. A little lighter and less tannic than its counterpart in Piemonte, "Nettare" is fermented and aged in stainless steel and cement tanks. As the first wine produced after the vintage, it is a "nectar" dedicated to everyone and all occasions.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The bouquet is elegant and streamlined, but this wine really comes alive in the mouth with fresh acidity and a zesty sense of energy derived from delicate berry aromas. A great value wine, the Tenuta Scersce 2018 Rosso di Valtellina Nebbiolo Nettare opens to a lean and compact appearance with wild berry, violet, crushed stone, licorice and some iron ore, while the finish is tart and crisp. It would be great with sliced pears and cheese. But as they say here in Lombardy: "Al contadino non far sapere quant'è buono la Gorgonzola con le pere." (Translation: Never let the farmer know how good it is to taste Gorgonzola with pears.) This was a wonderful release of 16,200 bottles.
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Wine Enthusiast
Aromas of wild rose, red berry and a whiff of wet stone form the delicate nose. Bright and linear, the polished palate offers alpine strawberry, star anise and a hint of botanical herb alongside lithe tannins and vibrant acidity.
Responsible for some of the most elegant and age-worthy wines in the world, Nebbiolo, named for the ubiquitous autumnal fog (called nebbia in Italian), is the star variety of northern Italy’s Piedmont region. Grown throughout the area, as well as in the neighboring Valle d’Aosta and Valtellina, it reaches its highest potential in the Piedmontese villages of Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero. Outside of Italy, growers are still very much in the experimentation stage but some success has been achieved in parts of California. Somm Secret—If you’re new to Nebbiolo, start with a charming, wallet-friendly, early-drinking Langhe Nebbiolo or Nebbiolo d'Alba.
Containing an exciting mix of wine producing subregions, Lombardy is Italy’s largest in size and population. Good quality Pinot noir, Bonarda and Barbera have elevated the reputation of the plains of Oltrepò Pavese. To its northeast in the Alps, Valtellina is the source of Italy’s best Nebbiolo wines outside of Piedmont. Often missed in the shadow of Prosecco, Franciacorta produces collectively Italy’s best Champagne style wines, and for the fun and less serious bubbly, find Lambrusco Mantovano around the city of Mantua. Lugana, a dry white with a devoted following, is produced to the southwest of Lake Garda.