TEROLDEGO ROTALIANO DOC “SANGUE DI DRAGO”
PRODUCTION AREA
The Teroldego Reserve “Sangue di Drago” (Dragon’s Blood) is obtained exclusively from the historical vineyard in the Maso Donati, situated in the heart of the Rotaliana area. The old stumps it consists of , that were planted by Marco’s grandfather, produce rich and balanced grapes and are the result of various subjects called clones, a classic example of bio-diversity and therefore of a more complete product. The Teroldego for the Donati family has always been object of particular attention, they have been growing it for five generations on the same farm, choosing only the best quality stumps.
SOIL
The entire area of the farm derives from alluvial drifts of the river Noce that descends from the Val di Sole e Val di Non. Its patient erosive action has dragged from the mountain groups of the Dolomites of Brenta, Adamello-Presanella, Ortles Cevedale and Paganella, a most various series of rocks. We mainly find calcareous deposits, dolomitic, porphyritic and granitic-crystalline. The result is an unmatchable mixture of minerals that gives the vines the chance to express at their best their typical characteristics. Even from a physical point of view the roots find on the surface a first layer of fine soil about 130 centimetres deep, then a series of stratifications made of sand, pebbles and gravel giving optimal drainage conditions. Many experts in fact, define the Rotaliana Area as a hill on a plain. It is interesting to see the boundary wall around the Maso Donati (locally called “centa”), built in the past centuries with stones that faithfully reflect the composition of the soil.
CLIMATE
The entire plain is at about 280 metres above sea level and is crowned by a mountain with perpendicular walls reaching a height of 2000 metres. The whole area is therefore protected from the north winds. Moreover, the rocks, warmed by the sun during the day, act as thermic accumulators, giving to the area the climatic characteristics to produce very rich and important wines. The regular winds from Val di Non help to dry the vineyard during the night and half way through the morning, maintaining a healthy vegetation and above all the ripening grapes, favouring the development of aromas and colour.
GRAPES
100% TEROLDEGO
The variety Teroldego finds in the aforesaid soil all the elements to express at its best its generous quality. The origins of these autochthonous red grapes according to popular tradition, date back to the legend of The Dragon of Firmian Castle, which overhangs the “Borgo”. For this reason we have called our reserve of Teroldego Rotaliano “Sangue di Drago”.
WINEMAKING TECHNIQUE
The constrained yields per hectare, systematically obtained by cutting the clusters, give richer and more resistant skins and pulp, allowing for optimal phenolic maturation. The traditional maceration on the skins is accompanied by frequent and methodical soft pressings. Temperature-controlled fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks. Fined in French oak barriques for at least 16/18 months. Kept still in bottles before its release in September.
TASTING NOTES
COLOUR:intense, black, rich, almost impenetrable
NOSE:hints of woodland fruit (raspberry, strawberry, bilberry) typical of a young Teroldego, give way to a more developed aroma of blackberry, dry fruit and spices
PALATE:tones of plum, chocolate, fruit, pulpy structure with soft, sweet and mature tannins. An aromatic blackberry-mint balance, where the discreet woody hints never threaten the original Teroldego fruit
ALCOHOL: 13 % VOL
SERVING TEMPERATURE
Serve at 20° C- possibly uncork an hour before serving
FOOD PAIRING
Suitable for strong red meat dishes, roasts, venison and game, red meats with brown sauces, mature cheese. Excellent by itself as a meditation wine
CONSERVATION AND AGING
Thanks to its texture and concentration can age for several years with a very interesting development
HISTORY AND……LEGEND
Above the Teroldego vineyards of the Rotaliana, since time immemorial a land devoted to viticulture, the walls of Mount Mezzocorona rise vertically and hanging on its cliffs the remnants of the impregnable S. Gottardo castle can still be seen.
The legend tells that in the caves of the hermitage a powerful dragon lived, implacable scourge of the area and of its frightened inhabitants.
And so it was that a young knight, Count Firmian, historical family of Mezzocorona, had the courage to confront the basilisk on its own territory. One day, early in the morning, armed with spear and sword, the brave knight climbed up the mountain and laid in front of the cave a bowl of milk and a mirror. The dragon had a weakness for milk and after smelling it came out in the open to drink it. To its surprise he saw the mirror and looking at its own image felt a streak of vanity. The young knight took advantage of the circumstances and wounded the dragon mortally. The festive population carried in triumph the intrepid knight and the unlucky dragon through the fair lands of Mezzocorona but….. a few drops of its blood fell on the Rotaliano soil and from these the first stumps of Teroldego germinated.
This is how the legendary origin of this autochthonous variety is explained, and even today the local folk call this generous wine with an intense red-ruby colour “Dragon’s Blood”.
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