Within the walls surrounding one of the most celebrated Alpine Renaissance mansions,
close to the magnificent Acqua Fraggia waterfalls, is the vineyard at the Palazzo Vertemate Franchi, Piuro, representing a splendid example of returning to old times, values and land-use.
The stately home, complete with its much appreciated frescoes and inlaid ceilings forms an
integral part of Chiavenna’s wealth of museums, having had the great fortune to survive the landslide of 1618 which devastated Piuro almost in its entirety.
The vineyard along with orchards, vegetable plots and chestnut woods remain a living testament to traditional cultivation over many a century. And it’s the impressive surrounding wall – as much as the splendidly sunny aspect – which serves to create the micro-climate which encouraged the Prevostini brothers – well versed in wine production over decades – to consider what might just be possible. Choice of vine: Riesling and Traminer Aromatico And what a result! A dessert wine of the very highest order. Pretty original but not unlike some produce of the Rhine areas of central and northern Europe. Nevertheless this particular ‘passito’ has a very particular Valchiavenna style, positively unique in this Alpine region. Harvesting begins in mid-September – followed by a withering process of four months prior to ageing and fermentation for a further 12 months in oak barrels. It’s marketed in attractive half-litre bottles within customized cases, has a deep yellow colour
and hints of apricot and peach with an aftertaste of candied fruit and honey. A beautifully balanced wine with measured sweetness and a surprisingly intense bouquet.
text and photo di ENRICO MINOTTI
Situated at 2,228m, at the south-west limit of the valle del Drogo, nestling among the rocks between Pizzo Campanile to the north and il Pizzaccio to the ...
Anyone looking for an unspoiled place, where they can spend quality time immersed at the heart of nature, should look no further than Val Bregaglia. And what could be better than a camping sojourn to really appreciate ...
text di AURORA MUIÀ GUIDI
It’s encouraging to note that young people of my own generation hold environmental issues close to their hearts and as I travel it’s good to ...
Informazioni ex art. 1, comma 125, della legge 4 agosto 2017 n. 124
Relativamente agli aiuti di Stato e aiuti de Minimis, si rimanda a quanto contenuto nel
“Registro nazionale degli aiuti di Stato” di cui all’articolo 52 L. 234/2012 (www.rna.gov.it).