Our white wine project
Our idea
We would like to focus on two grape varieties in white wine: the sun-kissed Vermentino and the fruity notes of the Viognier. Whether there is a wine (blend) or two pure-variety, we want to decide later.
The grapes
Vermentino:
Complex history
Vermentino is becoming increasingly important in Sardinia. Some of the desired ampelographic studies have shown that the history of this variety is far more complex than previously thought. Most studies assume that the variety is of Italian origin, with possible origin in the north-west of the country – in Liguria. Further studies have shown that the variety is also widespread in the southern French provinces, such as Provence and Languedoc-Roussillon. It is also important to mention the spread of the grape variety on the island of Corsica.
Origin unclear
Corsica is located just north of Sardinia, the two islands are divided by the sea road of Bonifacio – which covers only a few kilometers. Before our geological age, Corsica and Sardinia were an island. Even their flags bear the same coat of arms, which shows a headscarf-wearing moors. The origin of Vermentino could also be found in Sardinia, Italy’s north or southern France. There is also increasing evidence that Vermentino may be of Spanish origin, although the variety there is almost unknown. If this theory is correct, the grape variety would have made its triumphal march from Spain to Sardinia centuries ago.
Viognier:
The white variety Viognier was on the verge of extinction at the end of the 1960s due to its low yield and susceptibility to mildew, with just 14 hectares still being cultivated in France. The quality of the wines from the steep slopes of the tiny AOCs Condrieu (today about 110 ha) and Chateau Grillet (3.5 ha) on the northern Rhone led to a true Viognier boom in the 1980s and the variety gained many friends among winemakers and wine lovers worldwide. Today, in France alone, more than 4,100 hectares are once again covered with Viognier. In addition to the northern Rhone, especially on the Ardeche and in the Languedoc-Roussillon.
A relatively cool climate with noticeable temperature differences between day and night gives the Viognier its unmistakable fragrant character, reminiscent of a fresh flower meadow, chamomile, apricots and exotic fruits. The Viognier produces a full-bodied white wine, which many connoisseurs usually find best in the first 5-6 years of its life, when the fruit is still fully in the juice. It also tolerates a delicate barrique extension well, too much wood influence comes at the expense of the fragrance and thus at the expense of the actual strength of the vine.
Next steps
In November 2020, we are preparing the terrain so that it can recover over the winter. In February/March, after the first warm rays of the sun, we will plant the vines. After only 3 years, we should be able to harvest the first grapes. We are looking forward to keeping you informed.
Winter 2020/21
In winter we had a little more time and therefore planned the new plantings. When calculating the new number of vines, we came up with a number around 2,000, a huge number. This led to even more thoughts and thus also to the idea of planting the two white wine varieties Malvasia and Sauvignon blanc in addition to Vermentino and Vigonier.
Malvasier, Malvasia or Malvoisie are very common grape varieties of various white and red wine varieties in southern countries, especially from Italy, Spain, Portugal and Croatia and Slovenia. Many of these varieties are of ancient Greek origin.
The names Malvasia and Malvasier refer partly to the same, partly completely different grape varieties.
- In Spain there are the grape varieties Malvasia, Malvasía Rosada and Malvasía de Sitges.
- In France there is the variety Malvoisie.
- In Croatia and Slovenia there is the grape variety Malvazija, a famous white wine.
- In Portugal , there are the grape varieties Malvasia Preta (red grape variety) as well as Malvasia Fina and Malvasia Rei (both white), which are not Malvasians, but are independent varieties.
Malvoisie is a name for various red and white grape varieties, which is mainly used in France in the Loire and Savoy region. Malvoisie is synonymous with Bourboulenc, Clairette Blanche, Macabeo, Pinot Gris and Torbato, among others. In some areas of Corsica , the Vermentinu is called Malvoisie de Corse . In Valais (Switzerland), Malvoisie stands for Pinot Gris and is a Valais AOC-certified white wine. The term «Malvoisie» together with the name «AOC Valais» is referred to as «Malvoisie du Valais». [1]
In Germany and Austria, the Malvasier is used as a synonym for the white wine variety Frühroter Veltliner . However, there is no relationship to the group of varieties.
Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most famous white grape varieties with worldwide distribution. In its home country of France , it is one of the noble vines, the “Cepage noble”, and is considered the second most important white wine variety after Chardonnay . Especially in the Loire Valley (in Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé) and in the region around Bordeaux there are important cultivation areas. But also in the wine regions of New Zealand, Australia, California and South Africa, high-quality white wines are obtained from Sauvignon Blanc. Internationally, the grape variety also bears the name Fumé Blanc, which originally comes from California.
Fresh summer wine
Unmistakable for the white wine from Sauvignon Blanc are its freshness and its crisp acidity. Hardly a drop whose character is so easily recognizable – even by less experienced wine drinkers! Typical fragrance aromas are citrus fruits, black currant, gooseberry and freshly mown grass, but also herbs and green fruit, paired with mineral notes. Its fruity freshness with the special aroma, which is chemically caused by the high content of pyrazine, gives it more and more followers all over the world. Sauvignon Blanc is a wine that is often served chilled with food. It goes well with almost all dishes, especially fish and seafood, of course.
Sauvignon Blanc: The Tamed Wild
Sauvignon Blanc has a “good home”: the variety is a natural cross between the traminer and Chenin Blanc grape varieties. Hence its name: linguists attribute Sauvignon to the French “sauvage”, to german “wild”. The exact origin of the grape variety is not proven. It was first mentioned in documents at the beginning of the 18th century in the southwest of France, from where it spread throughout the world over the centuries. The refreshing wines from the Loire, on which the high-quality wines from New Zealand are also based, are well-known for the varietal and dry white wines from Sauvignon Blanc. French winemakers also like to blend Sauvignon Blanc with the milder Sémillon. Even noble sweet wines are made from Sauvignon Blanc infested with noble rot.